Agnews Developmental Center
AGNEWS DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER
BUILT AS AGNEWS STATE HOSPITAL
1888–1988
AGNEWS MAIN BUILDING, A 5-STORY, RED BRICK EDIFICE,
COMPLETED IN 1888, WAS KNOW’N AS "THE GREAT ASYLUM
FOR THE INSANE”. THE NAME AGNEWS CAME FROM NEARBY
LANDOWNER, ABRAM AGNEW.
THE 1906 EARTHCUAKE LEVELED THE 1888 STRUCTURES. THE
PRESENT CLOCK TOWER AND SURROUNDING BUILDINGS, DESIGNED
IN MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL STYLE, WERE ERECTED IN 1908 BY
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. DR. LEONARD STOCKING, HOSPITAL
SUPERINTENDENT, HELPED DESIGN THE NEW FACILITY.
SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL STOPPED IN 1972. AGNEWS
NOW PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
INDIVIDUALS.
1988
PLACED BY ORDER OF THE
SANTA CLARA CITY COUNCIL
BY THE HISTORICAL
AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION