CC Resolution 10548
RESOLUTION NO.
10548
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAMPBELL RECOGNIZING
JULY 24,2005 AS "BILLY JONES DAY"
WHEREAS, William "Billy" Jones was born in 1884 and, to help support his family, began his
railroading career at the age of 13 as a roustabout for the Southern Pacific Coast ("Narrow
Gauge") Railroad Company; and
WHEREAS, Billy spent 25 years operating his "Wildcat Railroad" and providing rides to little kids
and "big kids" around his nine acre ranch at Daves Avenue and Winchester Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, he was involved in civic affairs as a member of the Board of Directors of the Prune
and Apricot Growers Association, The Orchard City Grange, and the First Presbyterian Church;
and
WHEREAS, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce named him "Man of the Year" in 1952; and
WHEREAS, upon his death in 1968, many of his friends petitioned the Los Gatos Town Council
to save his Wildcat Railroad; and
WHEREAS, a group of local area business people formed a non-profit corporation to raise
funds to purchase the railroad from his estate and move it to a corner of Oak Meadow Park and
a portion of Vasona Park in Los Gatos; and
WHEREAS, through their efforts, the organization was successful in rebuilding the miniature
railroad and placing it into service between the two park systems in 1969; and
WHEREAS, the popular little steam railroad is a regional treasure and has served nearly 4
million riders over the last 35 years; and
WHEREAS, Billy Jones' original little "2 Spot" engine celebrates its 100th birthday this year
having been in service for nearly 80 years since its construction in 1905 for the Venice Miniature
Railway in Los Angeles.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Campbell expresses
its appreciation for the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and does hereby declare Sunday, July 24,
2005 as "Billy Jones Day".
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of
vote:
July
, 2005, by the following roll call
AYES: Council members: Burr, Furtado, Watson, Kennedy
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Hernandez
ATTEST:
~~
Anne Bybee, City Clerk
APPROVED: