When founding father and developer Thomas A. Herschbach planned the area--that would later become known as Palm Haven in 1913--with developers Alfred Eaton and Ashley Vestal, he intended to create a neighborhood that would have a distinctive identity, his grandson John Herschbach said. And those unique aspects that distinguish Palm Haven today--namely, the 365 palm trees and electroliers that grace its entrance--were Herschbach's creations.

"I think people liked Palm Haven because of the confines," his grandson says. "It had limits. And if you are going to make something, why not have something identifiable? The palm trees were plain unique. People could see them from far away. In those days, you didn't see any high-rises."

Although the elder Herschbach's quest for financial gain led him to Palm Haven, he was born in Illinois in 1887. His family migrated to Oregon and then settled in San Jose in 1910. Herschbach's first occupation was as an insurance salesman who rode his bicycle to work everyday.

But the insurance industry didn't suit Herschbach. It was turning empty land into flourishing communities that became his lifelong passion and his road to entrepreneurial success.

"I think he saw that as towns grow, you have to buy land," John says. And at the turn of the century the booming agricultural industry spurred a growing demand for housing, John says.

"If people wanted to have pickers or investors for their property, they needed homes," he notes.

At the age of 26, the elder Herschbach began acquiring property in the Palm Haven area. According to April Hope Halberstadt in her book The Willow Glen Neighborhood: Then and Now, the owner of the land was none other than Sylvester Newhall, who ran a well-known nursery on Coe Avenue.

When Herschbach, Eaton and Vestal began developing the Palm Haven area in 1913, prospective residents and owners began submitting plans. Although he had the right of veto, John says, his grandfather did not refuse anyone's design as long as it was aesthetically pleasing.

However, there was one strict rule to developing in Palm Haven: Only residential buildings were allowed. According to Palm Haven resident and Palm Haven Restoration Committee chairman Michael Borbely, the neighborhood was a residence park, which, in the days before zoning ordinances and planning apartments, gave citizens a say in what went into their neighborhood. Palm Haven became a real haven for residents who wished to live in a neighborhood free of undesirable establishments like saloons or unsightly structures like hitching posts and wells.

But early Palm Haven residents did not require a well. The developers made sure the community had all the modern amenities. An early advertisement said it all: "Fine sediment soil, good drainage, sewers, gas, electricity, city water, fire protection, macadamized roads, cement walks and curbs, and parks."

Despite the newfangled accoutrements, according to Halberstadt's book, selling homes in Palm Haven was sluggish at first. By 1917, the area contained only eight homes, possibly because of World War I and the subsequent economic depression. And, Halberstadt says, the area was plagued by a pernicious sewage problem that could have detracted buyers.

As the area become more attractive to prospective purchasers, Halberstadt writes, the meager sewer system could no longer support residents' output. State statutes prohibited dumping sewage into nearby creeks, leaving citizens with a rather odiferous problem.

But after Palm Haven was annexed to San Jose in 1922, early sewage problems were resolved when the community was connected to the municipal sewer system. The hook up enabled housing development in the neighborhood to pick up speed. By 1925, Palm Haven boasted 50 homes.

Residents who purchased a home in the Palm Haven community received a high quality house built with local materials. The developer paid attention to details--designing stone-lined fireplaces with scenes inscribed in clay. In his lifetime Thomas would oversee the construction of approximately 20,000 Willow Glen homes, his grandson says,

Thomas lived in one of his own houses from 1918 until his death in 1948. But he did not reside in Palm Haven: He instead chose to live on Cherry Avenue in Willow Glen.

During the early 20th century, Willow Glen and Palm Haven were still considered separate communities. But one issue drew the two neighborhoods together.

The citizens of Willow Glen and Palm Haven united over a particularly contentious issue--the proposed intrusion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in their backyards, according to Halberstadt's book. Because Willow Glen was an unincorporated part of Santa Clara County, the railroad could establish routes without feedback from the community.

Palm Haven residents, who were already a part of San Jose, were especially vocal in their dissent for the new railroad. And business owners like Herschbach were key leaders in the secession movement, John says.

Willow Glen became its own municipality in 1927, but its independence was short lived: The city decided to unincorporate so it could become part of San Jose in 1936 and be hooked up to the San Jose sewer system.

The city of Willow Glen may have been short-lived, but Herschbach's well-crafted development has weathered the test of time. John says when other residents discover his ancestry they commend his grandfather's sturdy structures.

"He built them so they could take a second story," John says. "Otherwise, bringing a home up to code so it can have a second story can be a big deal."

Although John never had the chance to meet his grandfather--Herschbach died a year before his grandson was born--his father, Albert, and other relatives made sure John knew about his heritage. The stories, however, varied according to the raconteur.

"Every time I talked to my aunts or uncles, I got a different perspective," he says.

In spite of the variances, John says one common theme stood out above all others: Herschbach's generosity and community spirit.

"Grandpa was big on volunteering," he says.

When the Stone Church's building fund ran dry, Herschbach donated a new roof. He was also active with the local Boy Scout troop and served on various Willow Glen boards.

"He has certainly had an impact on the city," Borbely says.

Herschbach's desire to create a cohesive community has also had an impact on Palm Haven residents, Borbely notes. People who live in the neighborhood strive to keep the area attractive and are interested in preserving Palm Haven's historic character and heritage.

Last August, for instance, residents gathered to celebrate the Palm Haven Restoration Committee's renovation of three Mission-style pillars.

According to Borbely, who has worked tirelessly as a member of the restoration committee, contractors had to replicate the fixtures from a 1920s photograph and adhere to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's restoration standards because the committee voted to bring the pillars back to their original condition.

Residents were so dedicated to bringing the pillars back to life that hundreds of volunteers and many hours were spent turning a dream into reality.

And Herschbach's love of his community has had a profound effect on his grandson. Born and raised in Willow Glen, John attended local schools: Willow Glen Elementary School, Markham Middle School--now known as Willow Glen Middle School--and Willow Glen High School. He currently works as a safety engineer for Underwriter's Laboratories in Santa Clara.

Like his grandfather, John also makes time for community service. He and his wife, Linda, have participated in Founders' Day for several years.

"Since my grandfather was a part of creating Willow Glen, I wanted to give back by volunteering," he says.

In his lifetime, John has only moved out of the area once, for a three-year stint in the army. His time in the service may have allowed him to see new places, but John says his heart remained in his hometown.

"I have been all over, and I still think this is the best place to live," he says.