Centrally located in the southwest portion of Santa Clara County adjacent to Los Gatos, Saratoga and San Jose, this community has achieved a balance between economic growth, cost of living and quality of life through careful planning.With excellent schools, a low crime rate and plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities, the city has become a popular destination for families. In addition, because Campbell is located in the south part of the valley, closer to the majority of the housing stock, it is attractive to employers.
Executives living in Los Gatos and Saratoga also find locating their firms in the city more convenient than locating further north and dealing with the commute. The Campbell real estate market offers a mix of condominiums, townhouses and single-family residences. Condominiums and townhouses start in the mid-$300,000s and range up to $700,000. Single-family homes start at around $600,000 and run up to nearly $1 million for estate homes with city views.
With a population of about 38,000 within its six square mile jurisdiction, Campbell has limited opportunities for new growth. However, the city has and continues to maintain a pro-growth development attitude. Because land for expansion of the City's boundaries is virtually nonexistent, the focus has changed to infill projects and redevelopment. The city created its first Redevelopment Project Area in 1983 with the intent of revitalizing the downtown and surrounding areas. The redevelopment process is going strong and there continues to be a variety of opportunities for commercial, office, restaurant, and housing projects in or near the downtown area.
While redevelopment is helping to revitalize many part of the city, a focus on preserving the city’s past is also underway. One of Campbell’s treasures is the Ainsley House. Beautifully restored in an enchanting park-like setting, the English Tudor style architecture of the historic home transports the visitor to the bygone era of the 1920s. Built in 1925 as the home for Campbell canning pioneer J.C. Ainsley and his wife Alcinda, the home was moved to its present location in 1990. The exquisitely restored and decorated 15 rooms are furnished with much of the original furniture of the era when it was one of the grand homes of the Santa Clara Valley. The surrounding English gardens are a refreshing respite for the visitor to this unique historic house.
Work is under way on restoring the city’s Heritage Theatre. Formerly known as the Campbell High School Auditorium that first opened in 1938, it became the center of diverse community and educational events that united generations for over 40 years. Among the highlights were not only the high school's drama and orchestral performance events that reached beyond city boundaries, but public speakers such as Arthur Schlesinger, Willie Mays, and other historic figures. The building, designed by famed California architect William Henry Weeks, brought the community together for special events and celebrations. The stage featured the creative energy of over 20,000 students before being closed in 1982 due to deteriorating structural conditions. The vision for the Heritage Theatre is to once again "Raise the Curtain" with a wide range of cultural, entertainment, educational and business events for the entire West Valley community. The Friends of the Heritage Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the Theatre as a focal point of cultural interaction in the West Valley. The city has provided funds to develop a comprehensive business plan to guide the project as well as funds to offset the administrative costs for the new non-profit organization. The Campbell Historical Museum is also expected to open later this fall. The new exhibits feature artifacts and memorabilia exploring the vanishing world of Santa Clara Valley's canneries; a general store that acted as the community center; the intriguing evolution of kitchen technology and appliances; the "bygone" days of adult recreation.
Although the city was incorporated in 1952, its history dates back to the mid-1800s. Benjamin Campbell, Campbell's founder, came west in 1846 with his family. His father, William, is noted for having surveyed the cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, and for starting a sawmill near the town of Saratoga. In 1851, Benjamin Campbell bought 160 acres and planted it with hay and grain. This acreage later became Campbell's historical downtown core. In 1878, Mr. Campbell sold an acre of his land for $5 to the railroad and, by 1887 the first subdivision was recorded west of the railroad from Campbell Avenue to the spot where the Water Tower Plaza now stands. The area became the center for shipping fruit, and within a short period of time, the drying grounds and canneries made Campbell an important rail center. The Campbell Fruit Growers' Union became a well-known cooperative with its 17-acre drying yard. There were three major canneries in Campbell -- the J.C. Ainsley Packing Company, Hyde Cannery, and Payne Cannery. Most of the output of high quality fruit from the Ainsley Cannery was shipped to England. Ainsley Park, located between Harrison and the railroad tracks, commemorates the man and his cannery. Of special interest in the park are two giant black walnut trees that were planted by the Swope family, descendants of Benjamin Campbell.
With all the industry, Campbell needed a bank, and in 1895, the Bank of Campbell was established at the corner of Campbell and Central Avenues. The Bank of Campbell, now called the Farley Building, is Campbell's oldest commercial building. President Theodore Roosevelt visited Campbell in 1903. He came at the request of Professor J. Fred Smith, the first principal of Campbell Union High School. While here, President Roosevelt planted a redwood tree on the school grounds. The Campbell Union High School closed its doors in 1980 and now serves as a community center, providing a meeting place for a variety of clubs and organizations. Campbell was first known for its churches, which once directed community life. Later, the Board of Trade became the leading community service. The Board of Trade is now known as the Campbell Chamber of Commerce.
Campbell was officially incorporated as a city in 1952. City offices occupied several buildings, such as Fire House No. 1 and the old Congregational Church, before the official City Hall was built. Campbell has grown from a small farming community with a population of approximately 5,000 to a progressive community with a population of over 38,000.
