Los Banos in Merced County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Henry Miller
July 21, 1827 - October 14, 1916
There is one description of Henry Miller, California's cattle king, that sums up his contributions to this community: Henry Miller - Founding Father of Los Banos.
Born 1827 in Brackenheim, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, Miller left the family farm at age 14 to make his way in the world. He arrived in New York City in 1847, just as California's Gold Rush was getting underway. Lured by the promise of treasure, Miller joined a myriad of others heading West, arriving in San Francisco in 1850 with less than $6 in his pocket.
Relying on his boyhood farming experiences, Miller worked as a butcher and owned his own shop just one year later. Miller's reputation for hard work, opening early and closing late became the foundation of his business.
Miller's meticulous attention to detail helped his business prosper. Miller personally selected Valley cattle for his business and established better stock breeds, feeding regimens and feed crops. In 1857 Miller secured options for all the cattle north of the Tehachapi Mountains, and partnered with fellow German butcher, Charles Lux to create the Miller & Lux Corporation. By 1900 Miller & Lux was the largest integrated cattle-raising and meat packing enterprise in the United States, which secured Miller's position as California's cattle king.
Being a hands-on businessman, Miller established his headquarters at Canal Farm in Los Banos, where he could oversee his 1.4 million acres of cattle pasture and farmland extending from California to Oregon and Nevada. From Los Banos, Miller traveled the length and width of his company's California operation.
The Los Banos headquarters also is where Miller created one of the West's largest water irrigation systems. A series of gravity-fed canals, thus the name "Canal Farm," were dug to transport water from the San Joaquin River to the fertile farm fields. The system is still used today to irrigate more than 244,000 acres of prime farmland on which is grown more than 40 food and fiber crops.
In Los Banos, Miller brought the railroad to town, constructed a bank, company store and many other building improvements. In addition, he planned and developed housing areas for local citizens and enhanced the quality of life in many ways. Miller created the May Day celebration, which still is observed in Los Banos, as a way of thanking his employees for their hard work and dedication.
By the age of 89, when Henry Miller died in 1916, he had given millions of dollars to numerous worthy causes. Today the City of Los Banos is proud to honor his vision and legacy.
Erected by City of Los Banos.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Charity & Public Work • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 37° 3.728′ N, 120° 50.815′ W. Marker is in Los Banos, California, in Merced County. Marker is at the intersection of H Street and 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on H Street. Marker and monument are on the Henry Miller Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Banos CA 93635, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Woolgrowers (within shouting distance of this marker); Guglielmo Marconi (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Los Banos (approx. 0.4 miles away); Canal Farm Inn (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lone Willow Station (approx. 4.8 miles away); San Luis Camp Adobe (approx. 7 miles away); Gustine Museum (approx. 15.8 miles away); Enterprise School (approx. 15.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Banos.
Also see . . .
1. Henry Miller (rancher). Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on October 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Henry Miller. Find A Grave entry. (Submitted on October 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,736 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on March 28, 2011. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 8. submitted on August 9, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 9, 10, 11. submitted on February 18, 2017, by James King of San Miguel, California. 12. submitted on February 19, 2017, by James King of San Miguel, California. 13. submitted on October 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.