Fresno County, California

"100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Railroad to the San Joaquin Valley" 1911 Boiler 5th Street, Coalinga 1912 A.P. May Inc. Academy Academy Methodist Church Amy Building Andrew Davidson Firebaugh Arroyo de Cantua Arroyo de Cantua B.M. Food Market Billy Vukovich Memorial Bob’s 76 Service Bordagaray’s Cheney Bros. Building China Alley Choinumni Christmas Tree Lane Clovis Veterans Memorial Coaling Station A Coalinga Carnegie Library Coalinga Opera House Coalinga School Coalinga Union High School Coalinga Veterans Memorial Coalinga Woman’s Club Coalinga’s First Rail Station – 1891 Coalinga’s First School Coalinga’s Notorious Whiskey Row “1909” Converse Basin Grove Crescent Meat Co. Dalton Mountain David of Sassoon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dunlap Cemetery Easton / Washington Union High School District Erected to the Memory of the Pioneers of the Millerton Area Whose Remains Rest Here First National Bank of Coalinga First Presbyterian Church of Coalinga Forestiere Underground Gardens Fort Washington Fowler's Switch Frank Chance Field 1935-1941 Frank Dusy Fred French Fredrick Tibbits and Louis O’Neill Fresno Fresno Assembly Center Fresno Corridor of Flags Veterans Memorial Fresno County Courthouse Fresno Memorial Auditorium Fresno Traction Company George Boyle George M. Bowman Grammar School Green Bush Spring Groundwater Irrigation Beginnings Harry S. Watanabe Hildreth Stage Robbery Honoring the Ex-Braceros and Their Contributions Humphrey Station John Charles Fremont Kerman Kings River Kings River - Centerville Kogetsu-Do Lao Hmong American War Memorial Libby, McNeill and Libby Cannery Liberty “Airdome Theater” Major James D. Savage Millerton Millwood Moses J. Church Motte Fountain Pleasant Valley Hotel Poole's Ferry Premier Creamery Purple Heart Memorial Richfield Service Station Row of Store Buildings Destroyed By Earthquake in 1983 Sanger Selma September 11th California Memorial Sierra Sky Park Site of Church-Sperry Mill and Mill Ditch Site of Fresno City St. Paul’s Catholic Church Sullivan Hotel Sycamore Point Tarpey Depot Technology in Timber County… The Basque Hotel The Bertrich Block The Earthquake of 1983 The Fresno Brewing Company The Fresno Water Tower The Historic Kingsburg Jail The History of the Town Kingsburg The Phelps Building The Rockwell Building The San Joaquin Valley Railroad Tollhouse Via Liberation Wagon Bridge Webb Building William Saroyan William Saroyan House Museum William "Yank" Hazelton Young Corbett III “Dr. Bill” “Wooden Walking Beam”
Fresno County, located in central California, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally home to various Native American tribes, including the Yokut and Mono peoples, who lived off the land and relied on agricultural practices for sustenance.

European exploration in the area began in the late 1700s when Spanish explorers led by Juan Bautista de Anza arrived. The Spanish established missions in the region in order to convert and colonize the Native American population. Mission San José del Parrón and Mission San Miguel were founded in what is now Fresno County, contributing to the region's cultural and religious heritage.

During the period of Mexican rule in the early 1800s, the Mexican government granted large land grants, including the Fresno Grant, to encourage settlement and agriculture. This led to the establishment of several ranchos and the growth of the farming industry in the area.

In 1856, Fresno County was officially formed, named after the abundant ash trees that populated the area's waterways. The county's growth was further facilitated by the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century, which connected the region to other major cities in California.

Today, Fresno County is known for its thriving agricultural industry, producing a wide range of crops, including grapes, citrus fruits, almonds, and cotton. The county has also experienced significant population growth, becoming a bustling urban center while still maintaining its agricultural heritage. Fresno County continues to play an important role in California's economy and remains a vibrant and diverse community.
Brief timeline of the history of Fresno County, California:

  • 1856 - Fresno County is established as one of California's original counties.
  • 1867 - The first general store in the county opens in Fresno.
  • 1872 - The Southern Pacific Railroad reaches Fresno, spurring growth and development.
  • 1874 - Fresno experiences its first major flood, causing significant damage to the area.
  • 1885 - The city of Fresno is incorporated.
  • 1901 - Construction of San Joaquin Light and Power Company's hydroelectric plant begins, providing electricity to the region.
  • 1939 - The Fresno Municipal Airport opens, improving air travel access to the county.
  • 1952 - Construction of Millerton Lake begins, providing a new water source and recreational area for the county.
  • 1978 - The Fresno County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1990 - Fresno County's population exceeds 600,000.
  • 2006 - The Fresno area experiences a significant housing boom followed by a downturn due to the national economic crisis.

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

Audiobooks about the history of California.