SAN JOSE PARLOR, NO. 81 - SAN JOSE

Instituted June 30, 1894

San Jose Parlor No. 81, San Jose

(Santa Clara County)

Instituted June 30^th, 1894

The Parlor was named after the town of San Jose, in which it was originally organized.  The electric tower depicted on the Parlor’s seal was built with funds raised by the townspeople and dedicated on December 13, 1881, as a tribute to the debut of electricity.  The 237-foot tubular wrought iron tower was located in the center of town with the hope that it would light up the downtown area, and at its top hung six 4,000 candlepower arc lamps. 

The tower had a turbulent history and, due to disputes between various power companies, at times was not lit.  Later it served as a world-renowned landmark.  In 1915, the swaying old structure was heavily damaged in a storm and another subscription was started to repair it.  However, the old tower could not wait.  On December 3, 1915, it collapsed in a blue flame, and thus ended one of the most spectacular lighting experiments in the history of gas and electric service in California’s colorful past. 

 A replica of this tower, only 115 feet high, stands with other historical buildings on the grounds of History Park within Kelley Park in San Jose.

San Jose Parlor Members 

San Jose Parlor ladies and gentlemen (we currently have 5 Mister Sisters) are an active, hard working group who care deeply about our Order, our Parlor and our Community.  Over the years the Parlor Sisters have been not only active at the Parlor level but also very active at the State level of Native Daughters, having served or are currently serving on the Board of Directors or working diligently on various State committees as Chairmen or members. 

 Marie C. Landini from San Jose Parlor No. 81, held the office of Grand President in 1973-1974, being installed at the Grand Parlor Annual Meeting in Santa Cruz.   Her year as Grand President allowed her the opportunity to highlight the Native Daughter Home and Childrens Foundation committees as well as many others.  She was known for her work as a National Awards Juror for the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and initiated the Native Daughter’s Freedoms Foundation Scholarship Fund.  During her year as Grand President Marie gave a television interview on Admission Day in Concord and a radio interview on K-WAVE in Monterey.  She also dedicated the Community Church in Yountville and reinstituted an Official Publication, the California Star.   

San Jose Parlor works hard to enrich the lives of those in our community with various on-going projects such as the layette project for the Diocese of San Jose who distributes over 500 layettes throughout the year through Public Health nurses; and Next Door Solutions who provide safety and assistance to the victims of domestic violence.

 San Jose Parlor members work hard to raise funds for the various activities of the Order with donations going to many of the State committees, such as Veteran’s Welfare, the Native Daughters of the Golden West Home, the Native Daughters Childrens Foundation and our new Native Daughters of the Golden West Charitable Foundation.

 Fun and hard work go hand-in-hand and our Parlor is no exception to that.  We work hard and in doing so, enjoy each other’s company.  Many social events are scattered throughout our calendar and often a fundraising event is a social event as well.