San Joaquin City, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Joaquin City
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Former settlement
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Joaquin County |
| Reference #: | 777 |
San Joaquin City was once a small town in San Joaquin County, California. Its name comes from the Spanish words San Joaquín, meaning "St. Joachim". It was founded in 1849, right when the exciting California Gold Rush was happening.
This town was located on the west side of the San Joaquin River. It was an important stop along an old road, connecting places like Banta and Grayson. Today, you can find its former location on Kasson Road, near Tracy, California.
Contents
The Story of San Joaquin City
San Joaquin City started as a river town in 1849. It was built on high ground next to the San Joaquin River. Many pioneers and wagons used to cross the river nearby at a place called Durham's Ferry.
Because it was a crossing point for both riverboats and wagons, the town became very important. It helped develop farming and cattle raising in the western San Joaquin Valley. San Joaquin City grew into a popular trading spot. Some even said it was a rival to the bigger city of Stockton.
Changes Over Time
In 1879, the Central Pacific Railroad opened a new train line. This line went from Martinez to Fresno. With trains, river travel became less important for moving goods.
Later, around the 1890s, the river's water was used more for irrigation. This meant less water flowed downstream. It made it harder for boats to travel on the river near San Joaquin City.
By the 1890s, people started buying the town's land. They turned it back into farms. The final blow came in 1911 when big floods changed the river's path. This made it almost impossible for boats to use the river there.
The Post Office Story
San Joaquin City had the very first post office in the area. It opened in 1851 but closed a year later. It reopened in 1874.
However, in 1888, the post office moved. It went about 3 miles (5 km) southwest to Vernalis. Vernalis was located along the Southern Pacific train line.
Remembering San Joaquin City
The spot where San Joaquin City once stood is now a California Historical Landmark. It is known as Landmark 777. A special plaque was placed there in 1962 to remember the town.
Sadly, the original bronze plaque was stolen in October 2005. By August 2017, a temporary wooden plaque was put up. It had a paper copy of the original words. This paper plaque read:
This river town was established in 1849. Pioneers and freight wagons crossed the river at nearby Durham's Ferry, following post roads to the southern mines. As a terminal for river boats it played an important part in development of west side grain farming and cattle raising.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 777
Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the San Joaquin County Historical Society, November 3, 1962.
A note on the bottom said it was replaced by Jim Dorroh on August 17, 2017. In February 2020, a new, more permanent aluminum plaque was installed. It has slightly updated wording.
