Fact Brief: Was Silicon Valley once known as the Valley of Heart's Delight? - San Jose Spotlight

"Before becoming a hub for technological innovation, the Santa Clara Valley was famous for its fruit trees, which gave it the nickname Valley of Heart's Delight. After the Gold Rush - and the region's subsequent population boom - Californians grew cherries, prunes, apricots, apples, citrus and more across the region. By the 1930s, more than half of the valley's land was dedicated to fruit tree orchards."

"The Santa Clara Valley was one of the largest fruit producers in the world until the 1950s, as the region's economy shifted toward manufacturing and technology. Today, 27,000 acres of farmland remain in the county, a 45% decline over the last 20 years according to Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one."

Before becoming a hub for technological innovation, Santa Clara Valley was famed for its fruit trees and earned the nickname Valley of Heart's Delight. After the Gold Rush and the region's population boom, Californians cultivated cherries, prunes, apricots, apples, citrus and other fruits across the valley. By the 1930s more than half of the valley's land was dedicated to fruit tree orchards, making the region one of the largest fruit producers in the world. Agricultural prominence persisted until the 1950s, when the local economy shifted toward manufacturing and technology. Today the county retains 27,000 acres of farmland, a 45% decline over the last 20 years according to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

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