The airport was established in 1919 by Reserve Lieutenant Johnny Johnston after returning from World War I.

Much of the early aerial photography of the then-rural Santa Clara Valley was taken on flights from the Alum Rock Airport.

[1][2] Today reminders of the airport are visible in suburban city streets of San Jose's Alum Rock district.

A minor residential street called Pala Avenue is located approximately at the original runway.

The oddly-named cross streets, Avenues A, B and C, are believed to be named for lettered airport Taxiways A, B and C upon which they were constructed.