Site of World's First Broadcasting Station

Three plaques here date the station to 1909, and the date is partly Herrold's own. When he sold KQW to San Jose's First Baptist Church in 1925, he made the sale require a sign-on calling it the pioneer broadcasting station of the world, founded by him in San Jose in 1909. The wireless college he opened that year trained operators; the best evidence for programs on a regular schedule begins around 1912, under call letters he chose himself. After the sale he took sales and repair jobs, including for the Oakland schools, and died in 1948.

What the plaque says

World's First Broadcasting Station FN — 1909 KQW — 1921 KCBS — 1949 On this site in 1909, Charles D. Herrold founded a voice radio station which opened the door to electronic mass communication. He conceived the idea of "broadcasting" to the public, and his station, the world's first, has now served Northern California for half a century. Plaque dedicated on April 3, 1959, the golden anniversary of radio broadcasting, by San Jose State College Undergraduate Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, in cooperation with KCBS and American Trust Company. Site of World's First Broadcasting Station On this corner stood the Garden City Bank Building, where Charles D. Herrold established Station FN, the first radio broadcasting station in the world. As a pioneer in wireless telephony (radio), Herrold established the first station in 1909 to transmit radio programs of music and news to a listening audience on a regular basis. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 952 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County and Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus, April 3, 1984. 100 Years Centennial Commemoration of the World's First Broadcasting Station On this site in 1909, Charles "Doc" Herrold aired the first regularly scheduled radio programs, giving birth to broadcasting. Initially identified as "This is San Jose calling," the station was later licensed as KQW before it became KCBS. Herrold sparked an innovative and inventive spirit that has defined San Jose and the Bay Area for 100 years. Dedicated June 11, 2009 by History San Jose and KCBS 740 AM/106.9 FM and KCBS.com

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• United States Post Office — steps away
• St. Joseph's Catholic Church — steps away
• Site of California's First State Capitol — steps away
• Luis María Peralta Adobe — 0.3 mi