Historical Markers in
Tulare County, California

Alpaugh Alta Irrigation District Auto Log Bank of Italy Battle Mountain Ben Harris Butterfield Overland Mail Butterfield Overland Mail Route Buttress Tree Cairns Corner Olive Trees California Hot Springs Call the Cavalry! Camp Babbitt Camp Nelson Cattle Cabin Citrus South Tule School Colonel Young: A Buffalo Soldier Cross Building Daunt Dr. Samuel Gregg George Dutch Corners "El Cojo" Elisha Packwood Farmersville First Airplane in Tulare County First Burton Schoolhouse For the Good of the Giants Fountain Springs Fremont Trail Gabriel Moraga Gamlin Cabin General Grant Tree Trail General Sherman Tree Kaweah Post Office Middle Fork Canyon Mineral King Wagon and Toll Road Nettie Smith's Place Old Harmony School Old Stage Road Packwood Station Palace Hotel Building Pixley Train Robbery Porterville Area Vietnam Memorial Porterville's Badman Rankin Aeronautical Academy Roth's Spur S. Sweet & Company San Joaquin Roller Mill Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks Stephen Tyng Mather Tailholt The CCC Boys The Centennial Stump The Electric Railroad The Fallen Monarch The Hanging of J.G. McCrory The Naturalists The Old Tulare County Jail The Original Walker Pass The Pogue Hotel The Tule River Stage Station Time Marches On Traver Treaty of 1851 Tuggleville Tulare City, Main Southern Pacific Railroad Terminal, 1872-1892 Tulare County Election Tree Tulare Irrigation District Tule River Indian Reservation Tule River Indian Reservation Tule River Stage Station Vandalia Venice School Visalia Chinatown Visalia Saddle Visalia Southern Pacific Depot Visalia Times-Delta Visalia’s First Hotel Welcome to the Tule River Indian-Reservation Woodlake
The state's name is derived from a novel called "Las Sergas de Esplandián," which was published in 1510. The book, written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, tells the story of a mythical island called California that is ruled by Queen Calafia and is said to be filled with gold and precious stones.
California random facts
Tulare County, located in central California, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Yokuts and Tule River tribes, who relied on the fertile land and abundant water resources for their sustenance.

The first European explorers arrived in the area in the 18th century, with Spanish missionaries establishing missions in nearby regions. In 1822, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and Tulare County became part of Mexico's Alta California. The region's agricultural potential attracted American settlers, who began migrating to the area in the mid-19th century.

In 1852, Tulare County was carved out of Mariposa County, making it one of California's original 27 counties. The county experienced a boom during the California Gold Rush, as people passed through the area on their way to the goldfields. Agriculture, particularly wheat production, became the dominant industry in the late 19th century, attracting more settlers to the region.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw significant growth and development in Tulare County. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1872 helped facilitate transportation and trade in the area, leading to further economic expansion. With the advent of irrigation technologies and the construction of reservoirs, the county became a major producer of citrus fruits, cotton, and dairy products.

Today, Tulare County remains an important agricultural hub, known for its fertile land and diverse range of crops. The county is also home to iconic landmarks such as Sequoia National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world. While agriculture remains central to the county's economy, Tulare County has also diversified into industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Tulare County, California.

  • 1852 - Tulare County is established by the California Legislature
  • 1855 - The town of Visalia is founded
  • 1861 - The county courthouse is built in Visalia
  • 1873 - The Southern Pacific Railroad reaches Tulare County
  • 1890 - The city of Tulare is incorporated
  • 1891 - The first irrigation district in the county is formed
  • 1904 - Sequoia National Park is established, encompassing a portion of Tulare County
  • 1940s - Tulare County becomes a major producer of agricultural commodities
  • 1965 - The California Health Sciences University is founded in Tulare County
  • 1995 - The Tule River Indian Reservation is established