San Jose History
Anna Maria Bascom
San Jose's first official hostess
After the war with Mexico, California's history as a Mexican possession was coming to an end. This resulted in the influx of American settlers, and, with the discovery of gold at Coloma in January 1848, drastically changed the way of life for everyone.
San Jose was on a route to the mines and became a crowded and busy trade center unprepared for the demands put upon it. There were shortages of food, shelter and supplies. In California's move to statehood, San Jose became the capital, and California's first legislature met in a building on the plaza, an additional burden in the crowded city.
Mrs. Anna Maria Bascom, who came overland from Kentucky with her husband, Dr. L. H. Bascom (for whom Bascom Avenue is named) in 1849, gives a vivid and classic account her arrival and first year in San Jose. She was a woman of great humor and wit. Once, in her presence, the great explorer John C. Fremont said in speaking of his expedition, "Yes, I have been a pathfinder." "You," she replied, "were more fortunate than me. There was no path for us. We had to make one." After the Bascom family's arrival in Sacramento in October 1849, they arranged to travel by boat to San Francisco and on to Alviso.
From Alviso we came to San Jose by the Pioneer Stage through fearful mud and pouring rain, paying an ounce each for fare. On the boat I got acquainted with two nice gentlemen, both ministers, whose names were Brierly and Blakeslee. Also a Mr. Knox. "We haven't any place to lay our heads when we get there," one of them said.
Well, I've got a house, said I, just as if I was in Kentucky, and if you can put up with what I'll have to, you can come with me, and welcome. So we were all driven straight to my house at the corner of Second and San Femando streets. It was dark and the 19th of December. The doctor (her husband) had paid $7,000 for the house and two 50-vara lots. It had two rooms and a loft which was climbed into by a kind of ladder. The roof was of shakes and let the rain come through; the floor was of planks laid down with the smooth side up with great cracks between to let the water out. I was thankful for that. It was rather a forlorn place to come to and bring visitors to, now wasn't it? Yet we had been through so much that the poorest shelter looked good to me, and besides it was our new home. We must make the best of it.
I divided my mansion into four rooms with curtains. Doctor brought us furniture and all the comforts money could buy. He paid $500 to get shingles for our roof. People began to ask if they couldn't stay with us till they found some other home, and then, somehow, they stayed on. Everybody had to be hospitable.
The Legislature was then in session and the town was more than full. The first thing I knew I had thirteen boarders--senators and representatives, ministers and teachers. Nobody who came would go away. I could always manage to make speople feel at home, and they would all say they would put up with anything and help in all sorts of ways, if I would only let them stay.
Mr. Leek, the enrolling clerk of the Legislature, was a wonderful hand at making batter cakes. We got a reputation on batter cakes and our house was dubbed 'Slapjack Hall.'
Mrs. Bascom may be considered as San Jose's first official hostess. She continues her narrative.
We had a very gay time over our meals and everybody was willing to wash dishes and tend baby. I used to go to the Legislature and enjoy the fun there as much as the members enjoyed my housekeeping. The gentlemen who figured as cooks in my kitchen... were all educated and smart and they appeared just as much like gentlemen when they were cooking as when they were making speeches in the Legislature.
After the strenuous daytime deliberations every house held open house where all were welcomed and feasted. All through the session not an evening passed without a party at some home. The ball at the close of the Legislature was a great social event in the history of San Jose. Hometown women, daughters and wives of prominent citizens, attending that memorable affair were Mrs. John Murphy, Miss Rea Burnett, Miss Letitia Burnett. Miss Maggie Jones, Miss Juanita Soto, and Miss Marcelline Pico. Because of the shortage of local women, the country was "raked for senoritas" to be dance partners for the distinguished visitors. Spanish parents, watchful over their daughters, were assured this was a special and proper occasion, permitted them to attend. On the appointed night the young women made their appearance, probably accompanied by their duenas, at the Assembly Hall, and danced with the solons of the region. The Bumett girls proved to be assets in their father's being chosen governor of the state. Many who had made their acquaintance found them to be, although quite young, affable, pretty, and interesting. That carried immense weight, since his opponent was a bachelor.
Mrs. Bascom's versatility extended beyond hostess duties. "I built the first church and the first schoolhouse in San Jose. I built it all with my own hands and the only tool I had was a good stout needle. It was the famous Blue Tent! Mr. Blakeslee . .. bought the cloth and cut it out. It was of blue jean and cost seventy-five cents a yard. The Presbyterian Church was organized in it and Mr. Blakeslee had a school in it all winter."
