Downtown Campbell

Benjamin Campbell bought 160 acres here in 1851 and grew hay and grain on what became the historic downtown. The first subdivision was recorded in 1887, west of the railroad, and the town was first known as Campbell’s Place. (Wikipedia)

The city’s walking tour starts by the tracks and runs along East Campbell Avenue. The brick First Bank of Campbell of 1895, at 365 East Campbell Avenue, is the oldest commercial building in town; locals call it the Farley building. B. O. Curry put up the Curry Building in 1913 and the Growers’ National Bank block in 1920, where the Gaslighter Theatre later staged vaudeville and melodrama. (City of Campbell)

Look down as you walk: fruit-and-blossom plaques of French prunes, Bartlett pears, Blenheim apricots, Payne walnuts, Jordanola almonds and Bing cherries were set into the sidewalks in 1992 to recall the orchards. (City of Campbell)

Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year round, East Campbell Avenue becomes the farmers’ market, run by the Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association. It takes a break only on the Boogie weekend in May and the Oktoberfest weekend in October. (Urban Village Farmers’ Markets, Campbell Chamber)