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