In October, 1911, John Joseph Montgomery and his mechanic Joseph Vierra laid a wooden track on or around what would become Montgomery hill, using it to launch his new
monoplane glider,
Evergreen, which is named after the Evergreen District. Throughout October 17–31, Montgomery and Vierra had flown the
Evergreen successfully 55 times, which Cornelius Reinhardt would take photos using Vierra's camera. On October 31, Montgomery stalled and crashed the
Evergreen, striking his head against an exposed bolt, leading to his death. In 1960, Richard E. Nieman, along with
California State Senator John F. Thompson and a photographer found the hill where Montgomery launched his gliders by comparing the photos taken by Cornelius Reinhardt to the landscape until they found one that looked identical. With Thompson's help, on September 12, 1966, the hill was named Montgomery Hill and declared a historical landmark by the
County of Santa Clara. The master plan for Montgomery Hill park, leading to the creation of the trails on and around the Hill, was submitted to San Jose's city council on December 17, 1979. == References ==