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CALIFORNIA HISTORY
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Becoming a state in 1850, California boasts an impressive
history. The history of California can be divided into: the Native
American period (about 10,000 years ago until 1542), the European
exploration period (1542–1769), the Spanish colonial period
(1769–1821), the Mexican period (1821–1848), and United
States statehood (September 9, 1850–present). California was one of
the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in pre-Columbian
North America. After contact with Spanish explorers, most of
the Native Americans died out from European diseases. After the Portolá expedition of 1769–70, Spanish missionaries began setting up 21 California missions on or near the coast of Alta (Upper) California, beginning with the Mission San Diego de Alcala near the location of the modern day city of San Diego, California. During the same period, Spanish military forces built several forts (presidios) and three small towns (pueblos). |
| Two of the pueblos would eventually grow into the cities of Los Angeles and San Jose. After Mexican Independence was won in 1821, California fell under the jurisdiction of the First Mexican Empire. Fearing the influence of the Roman Catholic church over their newly independent nation, the Mexican government closed all of the missions and nationalized the church's property. They left behind a small "Californio" (white Hispanic) population of several thousand families, with a few small military garrisons. After the Mexican–American War of 1846–48, Mexico was forced to relinquish any claim to California to the United States. |
| The California Gold Rush of 1848–1855 attracted
hundreds of thousands of ambitious young people from around the
world. Only a few men struck it rich, and many returned home
disappointed. Most appreciated the other economic opportunities in
California, especially in agriculture, and brought their families to
join them. California became the 31st US state in the Compromise of
1850 and played a small role in the American Civil War. Chinese
immigrants increasingly came under attack from nativists; they were
forced out of industry and agriculture and into Chinatowns in the
larger cities. As gold petered out, California increasingly became a
highly productive agricultural society. The coming of the railroads
in 1869 linked its rich economy with the rest of the nation, and
attracted a steady stream of migrants. In the late 19th century,
Southern California, especially Los Angeles, started to grow rapidly.
Even to this day, California is one of the largest melting pots of culture. Many people traveled through and left little trace unless caught on a census. Some never left and have left a legacy of generations of families. Although when asked what California is most known for they will say "Hollywood" or "Disneyland", but it is the rich history and beautiful landmarks through out the state. From Yosemite to Gold rich foothills. From the Sequoias to the pristine lake of Lake Tahoe. California truly is known for its diversity and natural beauty. (some excerpts taken from wikipedia) |
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County |
Date Formed |
County Seat |
Host |
| Alameda | Mar. 25th, 1853 | Oakland | |
| Alpine | Mar. 16th, 1864 | Markleeville | |
| Amador | May 1st, 1854 | Jackson | |
| Butte | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Oroville | |
| Calaveras | Feb. 18th, 1850 | San Andreas | |
| Colusa | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Colusa | |
| Contra Costa | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Martinez | |
| Del Norte | Mar. 2nd, 1857 | Crescent City | |
| El Dorado | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Placerville | Brenda Wiesner |
| Fresno | 1856 | Fresno | |
| Glenn | 1891 | Willows | |
| Humboldt | May 12th, 1853 | Eureka | |
| Imperial | Aug. 7th, 1907 | El Centro | |
| Inyo | Mar. 22nd, 1866 | Independence | |
| Kern | Apr. 2nd, 1866 | Bakersfield | |
| Kings | Mar. 22nd, 1893 | Hanford | |
| Klamath - Defunct | 1851 | Defunct 1874 | |
| Lake | May 20th, 1861 | Lakeport | |
| Lassen | 1864 | Susanville | |
| Los Angeles | Feb. 18, 1850 | Los Angeles | Brenda Wiesner |
| Madera | 1893 | Madera | |
| Marin | Feb. 18th, 1850 | San Rafael | |
| Mariposa | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Mariposa | |
| Mendocino | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Ukiah | |
| Merced | Apr. 19th, 1855 | Merced | |
| Modoc | Feb. 17th, 1874 | Alturas | |
| Mono | 1861 | Bridgeport | |
| Monterey | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Salinas | |
| Napa | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Napa | |
| Nevada | Apr. 25th, 1851 | Nevada City | |
| Orange | Aug. 1st, 1889 | Santa Ana | |
| Placer | Apr. 25th,1851 | Auburn | Brenda Wiesner |
| Plumas | 1854 | Quincy | |
| Riverside | May 9th, 1893 | Riverside | |
| Sacramento | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Sacramento | Brenda Wiesner |
| San Benito | Feb. 12th, 1874 | Hollister | |
| San Bernardino | Apr. 26th, 1853 | San Bernardino | |
| Santa Clara | Feb. 18th, 1850 | San Jose | |
| Santa Cruz | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Santa Cruz | |
| San Diego | Feb. 18th, 1850 | San Diego | |
| San Francisco | Apr. 15th, 1850 | San Francisco | |
| San Joaquin | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Stockton | |
| San Luis Obispo | Feb. 18th, 1850 | San Luis Obispo | |
| San Mateo | Apr. 19th, 1856 | Redwood City | |
| Santa Barbara | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Santa Barbara | |
| Shasta | 1850 | Redding | |
| Sierra | 1852 | Downieville | |
| Siskiyou | 1852 | Yreka | |
| Solano | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Fairfield | |
| Sonoma | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Santa Rosa | |
| Stanislaus | Apr. 1st, 1854 | Modesto | |
| Sutter | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Yuba City | |
| Tehama | 1856 | Red Bluff | |
| Trinity | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Weaverville | |
| Tulare | 1852 | Visalia | |
| Tuolumne | Feb. 15th, 1850 | Sonora | |
| Ventura | Mar. 22nd, 1872 | Ventura | |
| Yolo | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Woodland | |
| Yuba | Feb. 18th, 1850 | Marysville | |
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