City's 120th Anniversary

The City will celebrate its 120th anniversary on November 10, 2026. Hooray! In celebration, we're working on a celebratory yearlong campaign, highlighting activities and events in collaboration with other local organizations. 

Check back frequently for more program and event-related info throughout the year. 

What's Next? Library, Culture and Arts Commission Hosts: "Love Letter to Morgan Hill"

Let's flood social media with love, memories, art, music, and stories about Morgan Hill! Follow the guidelines on the submission form for whichever category you choose: Visual Arts, Literature, Photography, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and/or Film Production. Submissions will be accepted through February.

Official Anniversary Logo120th Anniversary Logo Winning Design from Evan Kelly

Congratulations to Evan Kelly! His design was chosen from the recent logo design contest open to the public. Thank you to all the artists who participated! Evan has been a Morgan Hill resident for over twelve years, is currently a Junior at Chapman University majoring in Graphic Design. In his free time, he enjoys photography and cheering on the 49ers, Sharks, and Warriors.

Winning Logo Description

El Toro Mountain stands as the natural symbol of Morgan Hill with the Downtown skyline nestled below. The greens represent Morgan Hill’s green space and rolling hills, while the yellow and gold represent its golden glow in the summertime. The sun represents the growth and evolution of Morgan Hill as a City and destination. The font is a mix of old style and new style, representing Morgan Hill’s connection between its past and future.

Historical Highlights

Check out more historical highlights on the City's website and at the Morgan Hill Historical Society website, where you can find out info about touring Villa Mira Monte, attending a Historic Downtown Walking Tour, and many other activities.

1850 - California becomes 31st state and Santa Clara County is formed

1850 - Martin Murphy family moves to property on New Avenue in what is now San Martin

1852 - William Tennant opens 21 Mile House, a roadhouse and stagecoach stop at Tennant Ave and Monterey Rd

1855 - Burnett School in Madrone is established as the first public school between San Jose and Gilroy

1869 - Santa Clara and Pajaro Railroad comes to Morgan Hill, later purchased by Southern Pacific Railroad

1884 - Morgan and Diana Hill build their country home on Murphy family land at Villa Mira Monte

1892 - Henry Coe Jr. and Charles Coe purchase Pine Ridge Ranch which later becomes Coe Park

1894 - George Edes starts publishing Morgan Hill Sun, now Morgan Hill Times

1894 - First 4th of July parade held in Morgan Hill

1906 - Town of Morgan Hill incorporated with more than 500 residents on November 10, 1906

1907 - Morgan Hill Volunteer Fire Department established on January 17, 1907

1914 - First library established in a store on the NW corner of 2nd St. and Monterey Rd.

1923 - Original Granada Theater opens on Monterey Rd. between 2nd St. and 3rd Streets

1925 - Emilio and Emilia Guglielmo establish family winery on East Main Ave.

1930 - First City Hall built at SW corner of Main Ave. and Monterey Rd.

1948 - First traffic light installed on Monterey Rd. at 2nd St.

1950 - Anderson Dam constructed in the east foothills

1966 - Morgan Hill-Burnett, San Martin, Machado, Encinal Elementary, and Live Oak Union High School Districts merge to form Morgan Hill Unified School District

1973 - Morgan Hill opens new City Hall and Library on the Civic Center site

1976 - Virginia Mae Days becomes first female mayor, later becoming a judge

1980 - The First Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival

1982 - El Toro Mountain becomes permanent open space

1990 - The first Taste of Morgan Hill downtown celebration

1998 - Renovated Hiram Morgan Hill House, a registered National Historic Site, opens to the public at Villa Mira Monte

2002 - Cultural and Community Center Playhouse and Gavilan College branch open on NE corner of Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road

2004 - Poppy Jasper Film Festival established in Morgan Hill

2004 - Sobrato High School opens on Burnett Avenue, Aquatic Center opens on Condit Road

2006 - Morgan Hill Sister Cities: San Martin de Hidalgo, Mexico; San Casciano Val di Pesa, Italy; Headford, Ireland; and Mizuho, Japan