La Salud (health). In the name of this place, not far from the San Lorenzo River, reached by the Portolá party on October 22, there is a reference to one of the heaviest of the afflictions from which the Spaniards suffered during their journey up the state,—serious sickness and many deaths from scurvy. To their great surprise, after a wetting received during a heavy storm at this place, all the sick began to recover. Costansó, in his diary, date of October 22, says: “The day dawned overcast and gloomy. The men were wet. What excited our wonder was that all the sick, for whom we greatly feared that the wetting might prove harmful, suddenly found their pains very much relieved. This was the reason for giving the canyon the name of La Salud.”—(Translation edited by Frederick J. Teggart.)
LOS GATOS
Los Gatos (the cats), is the rather unpoetic name of a very pretty town in Santa Clara County, ten miles southwest of San José. From its location at the mouth of a canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the inference may be drawn that it was named in reference to the wild-cats which even at this day infest that region. John Charles Fremont, in his Memoirs, says: “The valley is openly wooded with groves of oak, free from under-brush, and after the spring rains covered with grass. On the west it is protected from the chilling influence of the northwest winds by the Cuesta de los Gatos (wild-cat ridge), which separates it from the coast.”
“It seems to have been known as early as 1831 as La Cuesta de los Gatos. That there were troublous times about there in other matters besides wild-cats is evidenced by the story of a lively fight that took place in 1831 against a band of Indians under a chief named Yoscol. This chief was eventually captured by the Santa Clara authorities and beheaded, his head being exposed in front of the mission as a warning to others.”—(W. Drummond Norie, of Los Gatos.)
SUPPLEMENTARY LIST
Almadén (mine, mineral), a word of Moorish origin. New Álmadén, in Santa Clara County, where there is a quicksilver mine, is named after the famous Almadén quicksilver mines of Spain.
Alviso (a surname). Alviso is in Santa Clara County, eight miles northwest of San José, and received its name from Ignacio Alviso, a native of Sonora, born in 1772, who was a member of Anza’s party of colonists in 1775-6. He was the original Alviso of California, and was the grantee of Rincón de los Esteros Rancho.
Arroyo Hondo (deep creek).
Coyote, the native wolf of California. Coyote is an Aztec word, originally coyotl. The town of this name is situated thirteen miles southeast of San José.
Las Llagas (the wounds or stigmata of St. Francis),—in reference to the legend that St. Francis was supposed to have received, after a fast of fifty days, the miraculous imprint of the wounds of the Savior in his hands, feet and side. Las Llagas was the name of a place near Gilroy, and was also given by the padres to Alameda Creek.