"100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Railroad to the San Joaquin Valley"
1872 - 1972
— Z.S. Leymel Park
Mayor - City of Fresno
1929-37 1941-47 —
Fresno means ash tree in Spanish. For many years, this section of California was known as the "Fresno Country” because of the ash trees that grew along its waterways. One of its rivers was named Fresno. Fresno City was established on the west side of the slough near modern day Tranquility, as a stage stop for the Butterfield Line. In the spring of 1872, Leland Stanford, one of the builders of the Central Pacific Railroad, decided that the station in this area should be at the “Sinks of Dry Creek”, rather than at Sycamore, on the banks of the San Joaquin river, the present-day Herndon. It is said that his decision was influenced by viewing the expanse of irrigated green grain standing nearby, in sharp contrast to the surrounding arid plain. The first railroad station depot was located 7/10 of one mile southeast of this park.
1874 – County Seat moved from Millerton to Fresno
1885 – City of Fresno Incorporated
As originally laid out, the streets of Fresno were parallel and perpendicular to the railroad tracks. In 1885, this “Old
City” was 2.94 square miles, with a population of 3,000. By 1935, the city had grown to 8.93 square miles, and a population of 56,599. In 1972, it comprised an area of 43.55 square miles, and boasted a population of 173,800.
Erected 1973 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list.
Location. 36° 44.607′ N, 119° 48.12′ W. Marker is in Fresno, California, in Fresno County. Marker is at the intersection of Divisadero Street and Broadway Street, on the right when traveling east on Divisadero Street. The marker is in a small triangle of land, Z.S. Leymel Park, formed by Divisdero, Broadway and the northbound Broadway turn lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fresno CA 93721, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Via Liberation (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fresno Memorial Auditorium (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fresno Corridor of Flags Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lao Hmong American War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fresno County Courthouse (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of Church-Sperry Mill and Mill Ditch
More about this marker. A beautification project of Leymel Park was slated to begin in April 2020. The marker may have been moved.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 2 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 7, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
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