Postcards from the Past:
Madrone, California
Destination
City!
Written By Michael Brookman
M
ost locals and practically
anyone who has lived in
South Santa Clara County
for more than a few years
knows that the district of northern
Morgan Hill is known as “Madrone.”
What most people don’t know is that
Madrone was a popular destination at
the end of the 19th century!
There was a thriving population of
540 people in Madrone by the 1890s.
It boasted a Roman Catholic church,
grammar school, general store, post
office, hotel, livery and blacksmith.
It seems there was always one saloon
and maybe as many as ten in those
days. The local Malaguerra winery
and Kirby Canyon magnesite mines
added to the population and economy.
The stockyards at the Southern Pacific
station were large, as Madrone was
the nearest railhead for the ranches
of Henry Miller (the Cattle King and
112
at one time the largest landowner
in California) and Charles Weber
(founder of Stockton and real estate
magnate), and therefore it generated
considerable revenue.
This paints a picture of a growing
and economically stable community,
but a destination city? Well, hardly.
What made Madrone a popular desti-
nation in the 1890s and early 1900s
was its resort and spa! Yes, Madrone
was famous for the Madrone Soda
Springs resort and the spa known at
different times as Glen Wildwood,
Glen Willis, and Glen Willow.
The Madrone Soda Springs were
located just a short three- or four-hour
stagecoach ride from the Madrone
train depot into the hills of what
is now Henry W. Coe State Park.
Curative waters, hunting, fishing, and
restful living were guaranteed to heal
the sick and inspire wellness! A hotel,
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
april/may 2019
cabins and an outdoor dance pavilion
were all part of the resort, run by
“Dilly” Arnold and his wife, Bertha.
Newspaper ads up and down the coast
and even back east brought capacity
crowds during the golden age of
mineral springs.
The spa at Glen Wildwood was
a little different than its neighbor
Madrone Soda Springs. Although
it had waters and springs at the
convergence of Coyote, Packwood and
Las Animas Creeks, Dr. J.H. Josselyn
ran his facility as a cure for “sensitive
ladies’ complaints,” a euphemism for
unwanted pregnancy, as well as those
suffering from “loss of manhood”
and venereal disease. Patients were
guaranteed a degree of anonymity in
traveling to the obscure community of
Madrone for treatment of embarrassing
physical conditions. Thanks to the
limited communications and media of
gmhtoday.com