What city’s main thoroughfare reveals
A look into the history of three properties on Big Basin Way
As part of an ongoing street profile series, this week we explore Saratoga’s first commercial district: the Saratoga Village on Big Basin Way.
Big Basin Way was originally known as Lumber Street when, in 1847, William Campbell founded a mill and established a residential community for his workers. It became Big Basin Way in 1902, named after its proximity to California’s first state park, Big Basin Redwoods.
With the establishment of the Interurban Railway on Big Basin Way, singlefamily homes boomed as commuters rode the railway to work in San Jose. In 1906, the Mercury News reported that Saratoga gained a slogan, “The City of Homes.”
Cloud-Smith Building: 14501 Big Basin Way
Currently the Royal Thai Spa, 14501 Big Basin Way was the city’s general store. Founded in 1884 by farmer John Hutchinson, it got its name from Sam Cloud, who purchased the property in 1893 and operated the store.
Tragically, Cloud became the first Interurban streetcar fatality in February 1907, when a streetcar jumped a rail switch within 15 feet of his store. Rumors swirled that an inebriated Cloud walked into the train, but his wife, Jessie, and daughter, Laura, sued the Interurban Company anyway for $25,000 in damages. The widow Cloud later married Tom Smith and renamed the store the Cloud-Smith Building, and the couple continued operating the store.
The building’s second story has been used as an International Order of Odd Fellows Hall since 1918.
Saratoga Bank Building: 14421 Big Basin Way
You may have stopped in for a cocktail or two at what is today a charming dive bar, but the building started as the Saratoga State Bank in 1913 to serve the flourishing town.
Made out of brick, it could withstand a fire, and included a fire- and burglarproof vault inside. It was owned and managed by residents L.H. Schellbach, J.A Kerr and C.P. Kjelstrup.
By 1917, it became a branch of Garden City Bank of San Jose. Operator Louis G. Heid traveled from the Willow Glen area of San Jose by railway every day. Bank of America eventually occupied the building before it moved to a new location on Big Basin Way. It has been home to the current cocktail lounge, The Bank, since the 1970s.
The foolproof vault remains part of the interior decor, and the foyer features a hexagonal ceramic tile mosaic that spells out the word “Bank.”
Grover House: 14521 Big Basin Way
The Grover House, built in 1895, is one of the smallest single-family cottages in the Saratoga Village commercial core. This cottage is between what used to be the Blue Rock Shoot and Agnes Boutique. It was originally owned by David and Nancy Grover.
David farmed while Nancy focused on community. They had one son, Harry.
The cottage retains its National-style design, typifing the late-19th century residences of rural Saratoga. Like many former cottages in the Village, this spot is now used as a commercial building, though it’s currently vacant.