This Romanesque structure was constructed by the federal government in 1892, serving as San Jose's post office until 1933. It then served as the city's library from 1937 until 1969, when it was threatened with demolition, the fate of many historic buildings in San Jose. However, it was saved and eventually transformed into the San Jose Museum of Art. Originally designed by Willoughby EdbrookeIt, its Romanesque style of architecture can be found no where else on the West Coast.

• The Luis Maria Peralta Adobe

• 184 W. St John St., San Jose

The Luis Maria Peralta Adobe is believed to have been built before 1800 by an Apache named Manuel Gonzalez. This adobe may not have been unique at the time it was built, but it's now the last remnant of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe.

• Edwin Markham Home

• 1600 Senter Rd., San Jose

The Markham name may be recognizable from the several schools in California that were named in honor of him, but not many know that the house he wrote The Man with the Hoe still stands in San Jose. Poetry Center San Jose currently uses the historic home as its headquarters, and it's generally open Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 3pm for docent-led tours.

• Moreland School

• 4335 Payne Ave., San Jose

Going to school when on vacation may not sound like a good idea to the kids, but Moreland School is located in the oldest rural school district in California. Check the brick plaque at this location for more fun facts.

• Farmers Union Building

• 151 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose

Before there was the technology boom, there was farming. The Farmers Union Corp. was established in this building in 1874 and served as an agricultural cooperative, bank and the chief general merchandiser to rural Santa Clara County during the 19th and early 20th centuries. With agriculture in the valley becoming obsolete, farmers union President John P. McEnery made the decision to develop the corporation’s holdings as the new San Pedro Square in 1961. There's even a quaint little restaurant in San Pedro Square aptly titled The Farmers Union.

• First Site of El Pueblo De San Jose De Guadalupe

• 151 W Mission St., San Jose

You're going to have to close your eyes and imagine this one when visiting, but to stand on the ground where Mexican settlers came in through California's first civil settlement can provide an out-of-body experience. A stone plaque which provides a brief history of the location is your reward for visiting.

• Almaden Vineyards

It may be a disappointment that the winery is no longer available for tastings at this location, but one can have a taste of the past as many grocery chains and wine stores carry the Almaden Vineyards brand. After visiting the site, take the party to the store and grab a box of their finest.

• San Jose State University

• Tower Hall, Washington Square at San Jose State

SJSU may seem like a place where a bunch of kids ride around on their skateboards with a burrito in one hand and an iPad in the other (because heavy text books are becoming obsolete), but Washington Square is the home of the first normal school in California. The Minns Evening Normal School first opened its doors here in 1857 for the purpose of training teachers for San Francisco's schools. It eventually became the California State Normal School when the state of California took over, until it took up the mantle of it's current title.

The New Almaden Mine, which sold for $1,700,700 in 1864, is one of those places that can be a great lesson in history, or an eerie discovery for paranormal enthusiasts. A public site may not sound scary, but there are plenty of areas blocked off and closed to the public. Search them out a the New Almaden Mine, but don't get too close.

• Winchester Mystery House

• 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose

What would a San Jose history guide be without the Winchester Mystery House? Flashlight tours and paranormal activity are just a fraction of what ghost hunters can come to expect from the allegedly haunted house. If a frightening guide is more your speed, check out our Haunted Places and Spooky Urban Legends Guide.