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The former residential neighborhood of College Park was mostly demolished to clear approach paths to SJC. Photo by Avi Morgan

What’s now the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, just west of Highway 87 and south of the airport, was formerly a neighborhood of middle-class homes. When the expanding airport required clearance for its approach paths, the residents of College Park were forced out of their homes, and entire blocks were razed. Avi Morgan’s photos ^[2] document the current state of the neighborhood where he grew up. Many of Morgan’s photos are accompanied by poignant commentary on his personal history in the neighborhood, and the loss of historical connections as the San Jose area evolved into Silicon Valley.

Morgan isn’t only interested in College Park. His photographic and historical interest covers the rest of downtown San Jose, and other areas of the Bay Area. For example, he has photos from IBM’s abandoned building 25 ^[3] and threatened downtown buildings ^[4].

If you’re a San Jose newcomer like me, maybe a part of the corporate culture that dominates Silicon Valley, take a tour through Morgan’s photostream to gain an appreciation of how the area has changed. If you’re a native, Morgan’s photos should remind you of some of your own history.