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Fresno County History

 

Memorial and Biographical History
OF THE COUNTIES OF
FRESNO, TULARE, and KERN,
CALIFORNIA

 ILLUSTRATED 

Containing a History of this Important Section of the
Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy
to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its
Prospective Future:  with Profuse Illustrations of
its Beautiful Scenery, Full-page Portraits of
Some of its most Eminent Men, and
Biographical Mention of Many of
its Pioneers, and also of
Prominent Citizens of
to-day.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote
ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with
pride by remote descendants." -  Macaulay.

CHICAGO:
The Lewis Publishing Company

 

Contents:  
Preface  
The Wonderful State Of California  
Discovery 9
The Name "California" 9
Further Discoveries 9
Catholic Missionaries 10
California Divided 11
The Period 1811-'23 11
The Period 1823-'36 12
The American Immigration 13
The Mexican War 14
The American Period 14
The Donner Party 14
Governmental 15
Gold Discovery 15
State Government 16
Present Status 17
Topography 17
Geology 20
Climate 20
Facts Worth Knowing 24
"Wonderful" 25
The "Argonauts" 31
   
The Great San Joaquin Valley  
   
Origin of the Name "San Joaquin" 33
Geographical 34
Geological 35
The Primitive Landscape 38
The Valley in May 39
A Most Promising Country 40
The Chief Sources of Wealth 41
Floods and Drouths 41
Indians 44
Murder of Major Savage 47
   
Fresno County  
   
Fresno Prior to Organization 49
Fort Miller in Good Times 52
Fresno County Organized 52
Boundaries of the County 53
The First Jail 54
New Courthouse and Jail 54
Removal of the County Seat 55
The Present Courthouse and Jail 55
Millerton 56
Elections and Other Proceedings 57
The "Lone Republican" 60
Early Court Incidents 60
Crimes and Punishments 61
Early Colonies of Fresno  County 63
Climate 65
The Thermal Belt 67
Rainfall and Humidity 67
Mineral Resources 68
Fossils and Petrefactions 69
Forest Growth 70
Grand Scenery 71
Tehipitee Valley 72
Paradise Valley 73
Wild Animals 74
Soil and Productions 77
Irrigation 79
Its Wonderful Results 82
Easterby's Great Enterprise 83
Raisin Packers 83
Transportation, Early and Modern 83
The County's Wealth 84
Schools 85
County Officials 87
   
Fresno City  
   
Beginnings 90
Early Fresno Society 91
Fresno's Climate 91
Water Works 92
County Hospital 93
City Cemetery 94
Street Improvements 94
Sewerage System 94
Street Railroads 94
Fresno Flouring Mill 95
Banks 95
Board of Trade 96
Fresno's Shipments 97
Post Office Business 97
Newspapers 99
Churches 101
Societies 102
Schools 105
The Bar of the County 105
Physicians 105
Miscellaneous 106
City Government and Officers 107
   
Other Towns  
   
Selma 108
Sanger 111
Madera 112
Kingsburg 121
Raymond 123
Toll House 124
Firebaugh's Ferry 124
Buchanan 124
Kingston and Centerville 124
Fowler 124
Huron and Coalingo 127
Reedley 127
Hendon and Borden 128
Berenda and Minturn 128
   
Special Interests  
   
The Colony System 128
Notable Vineyards 129
West Side Colonies 130
Fresno's Great Avenue 131
Farming Pays in Fresno 131
The Wine Product 132
Raisins 132
Timber and Stone 139
Clays for Brick 141
See the biographies here