Hart's Department Store Warehouse #2 - San Jose, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 20.347 W 121° 54.047
10S E 597369 N 4133059
This ghost sign for Hart's Department Store in San Jose can be a reminder of a sad ending to Brooke Hart, the heir to the family store.
Waymark Code: WMETEH
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 07/05/2012
Views: 4
Hart's Department Store was founded by Leopold Hart in 1866. His son, Alex J. Hart took over the store when Leopold passed on. Alex dreamed of the day when his own son would inherit the business his father gave to him. In 1911, Alex had a son and named him Brooke.
In 1933, Brooke was kidnapped by two assailants and thrown off a bridge. The two assailants were arrested shortly thereafter and confessed to the crime. Before the killers could be tried in a court of law, they were lynched in St. James Park by a vigilante mob composed of San Joseans and tourists from surrounding areas, thus, giving San Jose the distinction of being the last city to host a public lynching.
This ghost sign in San Jose, California, is on the back side of a building facing the CalTrain railroad tracks. Access to the back side of the building can be found from Coleman Street by turning onto Santa Teresa Street. This leads to a wide open undeveloped area where the sign can be seen up close.
The ghost sign can be seen in Google Satellite View.