Israel, Jerusalem District, Jerusalem
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"...the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the fortress in its proper place" (Jeremiah 30:18)
The inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem once built their homes on this hillside. The earliest structure unearthed here was part of an enormous Stepped Stone Structure that supported King David's Palace or the Canaanite fortress that preceded it. In the early First Temple period, stately homes and an official archive were built upon the Stepped Stone Structure. Remains of these buildings were uncovered in excavations conducted by Yigal Shiloh (1978-1985). The opulent character of the homes and the nature of the artifacts found within them indicate that they belonged to Jerusalem's elite, some of whom served as royal functionaries. The Royal Quarter went up in flames when the city was destroyed by the Babylonians (586 BCE). In the early Second Temple period, the returnees to Zion rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in the upper part of the excavated area, leaving the ruins before you outside the city.
(Forts, Castles • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
"...the city shall be rebuilt on its mound, and the fortress in its proper place" (Jeremiah 30:18)The inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem once built their homes on this hillside. The earliest structure unearthed here was part of an enormous Stepped Stone Structure that supported King David's Palace or the Canaanite fortress that preceded it. In the early First Temple period, stately homes and an official archive were built upon the Stepped Stone Structure. Remains of these buildings were uncovered in excavations conducted by Yigal Shiloh (1978-1985). The opulent character of the homes and the nature of the artifacts found within them indicate that they belonged to Jerusalem's elite, some of whom served as royal functionaries. The Royal Quarter went up in flames when the city was destroyed by the Babylonians (586 BCE). In the early Second Temple period, the returnees to Zion rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in the upper part of the excavated area, leaving the ruins before you outside the city.
(Forts, Castles • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Alum Rock Park was acquired in stages over many years. The original claim is based on the first land grant by Governor Filipe de Neve, July 22, 1778. Alum Rock Park has survived many challenges to that original grant and on March 13, 1872 the California State Legislature set aside this land “...for all time to come, as a public park.” Since 1872, Alum Rock Park has grown to be San Jose’s largest, as well as our state’s oldest city park. Once a well known mineral spring health spa, the park has been restored to a natural area of majestic oaks, gently flowing streams and waving grassland. This series of interpretive panels will help visitors explore the rich and colorful history of this fantastic park.
Following the death of 
Commander of the Monitor, against the Confederate Ram, Merrimac. Hampton Roads, Mar. 9, 1862; Rear Admiral, U.S.N. is buried here.
In July 1863 at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, two warehouse buildings occupied the site in front of you. The Sheads-Buehler Building was constructed in 1858 by local merchants Robert Sheads and Charles Buehler as a warehouse for their coal, stove, and lumber business. Located beside the Sheads-Buehler building was a frame structure that served as the local wholesale and retail business warehouse for Robert McCurdy and Jeremiah Diehl. The building was built sometime between late 1862 and early 1863. 
Once connected to the Gulf of California, waters within the Salton Basin extended nearly to Palm Springs. Because of deposits from the silt laden Colorado River, the north end of the gulf (now in Imperial County) was sealed off and Lake Cahuilla was formed. Lake Cahuilla was considerably larger than the present day Salton Sea. Its ancient shoreline can still be seen on the hills west of the sea. After many thousands of years, Lake Cahuilla's waters receded leaving a dry lakebed. The Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907. The Colorado River was tapped near Yuma, Arizona to allow irrigation waters to flow into the Imperial Valley. Storms and high waters washed through the canals and the river flowed almost unchecked into the Salton Basin. After much labor, mostly paid for by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the breech was closed in 1907. Water level within the sea is now maintained by agricultural runoff, inflow from the New, the Alamo and the Whitewater Rivers, and by rainfall. The sea is about 35 miles long by 15 miles wide. It has a maximum depth of 50 feet. Its salinity is slightly greater than the Pacific Ocean. The surface of the Salton Sea averages at 230 feet below sea level.
Meridian Hill Park might never have been built had it not been for the determination of Mary Foote Henderson (1846 - 1931). For 22 years, she lobbied Congress for funds to buy the land and build the park. Congress's 1910 vote to authorize construction of Meridian Hill Park is a testimony to her resolve.
"He burned the House of the Lord, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; he burned down the house of every notable person." (II Kings 25: 9)
"And David said on that day: 'Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, and getteth up to the gutter...'" (II Samuel 5:8)
In the military service of
First Lieutenant Louis J. Storck,
In memory of
Medal of Honor awarded to
The Restoration Project of the Second Temple period
This area was once the site of one of Alum Rock Park’s most popular attractions, the Natatorium, a large indoor swimming pool. Built about 1912, it attracted over 35,000 swimmers each summer season. For about 20 cents, park visitors could swim in the heated waters of the 45-foot-wide and 90-foot-long pool. The pool also boasted a long, straight slide, a one-meter diving board, and three diving platforms for those who were looking for more excitement with their swim.
