Anthony Spangler Elementary School is named after Anthony Spangler, an established resident of Milpitas before it was an official founded city. The Spangler family came from the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, during the 1800s with many other Portuguese immigrants. His family settled in Milpitas and established a service station on Main Street. Anthony managed Spangler Service Station until he he joined the Armed Forces for World War II.

Upon his return from the war, Anthony Spangler led a group of local businessmen and residents to bring a safe and reliable water system to Milpitas, as the local water table was only two feet in depth and the local groundwater was contaminated due to the use of outhouses. Mr. Spangler believed a water system would be necessary to support the growth of Milpitas. Unfortunately, Mr. Spangler passed away in 1949, keeping him from seeing his vision of safe and reliable water system for Milpitas. It was through his efforts that the first Milpitas Water District was formed and the first water bonds were passed, following his death.