In the early 1900s, San Jose was already the largest city in Santa Clara County. People came in on trains and horses to settle down in the rapidly growing city. But although the railroad brought people and prosperity, downtown residents and business owners were disturbed by the air pollution and noise from the old-fashioned steam locomotive trains running through Fourth Street.

The Southern Pacific Railroad Company obtained permission from the State Railroad Commission in 1916 to reroute its track and build 21 crossings that sloped down in the middle of Willow Glen, from Coe Avenue to Almaden Road.

The railroad company's plan infuriated residents of the west side of San Jose.

Concerned citizens organized the Save the Willows Committee to fight the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. Their campaign slogan was "Let's keep the railroad out of our bedrooms."

Archives show that people were especially worried that the tracks would cause traffic hazards and decrease property values.

Lewis Dan Bohnett and Charles Allen, residents of Willow Glen's Palm Haven neighborhood, led the campaign against the railroad company.

Bohnett, an attorney, lobbied against the proposal in the legislature. He also filed petitions with the state railroad commission seven times between 1923 and 1926 to postpone the construction.

"It was a time when railroad companies could place tracks wherever they wanted," said Mike Borbely, chairman of the Palm Haven Restoration Committee. "The only chance for people on the west side of San Jose to win the battle was to incorporate Willow Glen into a city of its own."

According to state law back then, railroad companies needed to get permission from a city before laying tracks on its land.

Residents successfully garnered the 500 signatures necessary to hold an election. On Sept. 8, 1927, residents voted 686 to 364 in favor of incorporating. Willow Glen was born.

But the Southern Pacific Railroad refused to compromise. According to an article from the Sun-Times, a now-defunct Willow Glen newspaper, the railroad company took the fight to the state legislature and sought to repeal the law requiring a city franchise to build tracks in Willow Glen.

Paul Clark, Willow Glen's first mayor, hired Bohnett to represent Willow Glen to continue fighting the railroad company.

Residents' joint efforts finally pushed the Southern Pacific Railroad to elevate the tracks and to separate grades for safety in 1927.

Nine years after the incorporation of Willow Glen, residents went to the polls again in September of 1936 to decide whether to merge with the city of San Jose.

"One of Willow Glen's problems was the need for a high school," wrote Elizabeth Giarratana in her book, Old Willow Glen. "The area also was lacking adequate sewer connections, and consolidation with San Jose meant progress."

So Willow Glen became a part of the city of San Jose by a margin of 57 votes, or 928 to 871.

But since 1972, Willow Glen residents have made it a tradition to celebrate the community's values and camaraderie rising from their joint fight against the Southern Pacific Railroad. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Founders' Day.

This year's celebration will start with a traditional parade at 10 a.m. on Sept. 8. Bands and paraders will travel down Lincoln Avenue between Coe and Minnesota avenues. The main celebration will begin at 11 a.m. at Willow Glen Elementary School, where families will enjoy arts, crafts, food, live music and other entertainment.

A new addition to this year's celebration will be a classic car show, which will showcase automobiles from the 1920s through the 1960s in the Washington Mutual parking lot at the corner of Minnesota and Lincoln avenues.

Other activities and exhibits will be conducted around Willow Glen throughout the day.

Among this year's numerous events, a home tour in the Palm Haven neighborhood offers residents a glimpse of the early years of San Jose and Willow Glen.

Palm Haven was developed in 1913 by real estate developers Alfred C. Eaton, Ashley Vestal and Thomas Herschbach. Its houses feature various architectural styles, ranging from Craftsman bungalows to Mediterranean-style residences. The neighborhood has been designated as one of three protected historic districts in the city of San Jose.

Many Palm Haven homes have been included in the Founders' Day house tour for years. But Palm Haven will hold a separate tour this year to raise funds for the restoration of the pillars that surround the neighborhood.

"Seventy-five years ago, residents fought together against the Southern Pacific Railroad. Now we are working together to restore the historical pillars," Borbely said. "It's a step further."

The seven 12-foot-tall stone pillars in Palm Haven act as gateways to the community. Ornate wood brackets were installed at the top of the pillars to hold electrical lanterns. Old pictures of Palm Haven show that round concrete urns sat at the pillars' base.

But the 89-year-old pillars show signs of neglect. Most of their wood brackets have been destroyed, and no lanterns and urns are left.

Palm Haven residents established a committee in February to restore the pillars to their original state. The project's first phase will refurbish the pillars. Then the committee will work with city government to connect electricity to the pillars.

The first phase is estimated to cost $75,000. The city of San Jose has agreed to allocate $10,000 to restore the pillars. The committee depends on donations and grants to garner the rest of the funding.

"We are trying to preserve the history of San Jose," Borbely said. "The mission of the home tour is not only to restore the pillars but also to raise the awareness of the community about the important historical resource we have in Palm Haven."

Shana Magruder's 89-year-old, two-story prairie-style house on Plaza Drive is one of the houses that will be on tour.

"Charles Allen was the first owner of the house," Magruder said proudly. "We are proud of Palm Haven and Willow Glen. We want everyone to come and enjoy it."

For more information, visit the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association's website at www.wgna.net.