Fresno County, once a dry desert, was discovered during a search for suitable mission
sites. In 1846, this area became the property of the United States as a result of the
Mexican War. After gold was discovered in California, miners flocked to the foothill areas
of the San Joaquin River.
In 1856, Fresno County was created. The first county seat was the foothill community
of Millerton.
In 1872, with the development of a railroad line through the valley, the town of Fresno
was created. It took its name from the ash trees native to the valley (Fresno is the
Spanish word for "ash tree").
Fresno grew rapidly, but still remained in many ways a typical frontier town. Saloons
could be found on every corner, but the first church was not established until 1876. The
town burned down several times. A massive flood in 1884 finally convinced residents that a
centralized city government was necessary. On Oct. 12, 1885, Fresno was incorporated.
Moses Church developed the first canals, called "church ditches," for
irrigation. These canals transformed the barren desert of Fresno County into rich soil,
thus enabling extensive wheat farming in Fresno County.
Frances Eisen, father of the wine industry in Fresno County, began the raisin industry
in 1875 when he accidentally let some of his grapes dry on the vine. A.Y. Easterby and
Clovis Cole developed extensive grain and cattle ranches. These and other citizens laid
the groundwork for the cultivation of Fresno County now the nation's leading agricultural
region which produces $3 billion per year in more than 250 commercial crops.
The first lumber mill was built in 1852 and was followed throughout the 1800s by 23
others. Flumes, some measuring more than 50 miles in length, were built by lumber
companies to transport the logs from the mills in the mountains to the Valley floor. Gold,
petroleum and copper also were discovered in Fresno County in the 1800s, and the western
part of the county became well known for its oil and coal production.
Fresno County's first orange tree was planted in Centerville in 1866. Mr. & Mrs.
Gabriel Moore, who were once slaves, planted the first apple and fig orchards.
To date more than 30 structures in Fresno County are on the National Register of
Historic Places, including the Fresno Water Tower,
which once held more than 250,000 gallons of water for the City of Fresno (You may
remember the water tower from "Fresno: The Miniseries," where it was used as a
primary location). The Meux Home, Kearney Mansion Museum, Gamblin Cabin in Kings Canyon
National Park and the Southern Pacific Depot are found on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Fresno County's history is as rich and diverse as its people and its agriculture. Its
unique heritage, past setbacks and overwhelming successes set Fresno County apart in the
eyes of its proud citizens, and encourages those yet unfamiliar with all Fresno County has
to offer to take a closer look.