Fresno, California


Fresno is located in the center of the San Joaquin Valley of Central California and is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of California. There are many cultural and recreational experiences available in, or near, the city of Fresno. Fresno is the industrial, financial, trade, and commercial capital in the Central San Joaquin Valley.



To See And To Do In Fresno


  • River Park Shopping Center
  • Yosemite Valley
  • Forestiere Underground Gardens
  • Fresno Art Museum
  • The Tower District - Dining, Arts, Entertainment


History Of Fresno - Timeline


In 1772, the Spanish soldier Pedro Fages explorered the area. It is the first recorded European to visit the region. In 1856, Fresno County was created. In 1860, the first permanent settlers in the area came from Holland. In 1865, the sheep farmer William Helm and his wife settled in Fresno. In 1872, Fresno was founded by the Central Pacific Railroad Company. The population of Millerton moved to the railroad line and the new town Fresno was created. The name Fresno is the Spanish language word for the ash tree, and an ash leaf is featured on the city's flag.

In 1875, the Courthouse was built. In 1876, the first church was established. Also in 1876, the Fresno Morning Republican newspaper was published. In 1877, a Fire Department organized by volunteers. In 1882, a fire destroyed an entire block of the city. In 1885, Fresno was incorporated as a city. In 1889, the Fresno High School was established and the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot was completed.

In 1892, the first streetcars were introduced and streetcar suburbs soon followed. In 1894, the Old Fresno Water Tower was built. In 1899, the Santa Fe Railroad Depot was completed as a station for the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad.

In 1900, about 12,500 people lived in the city. In 1914, the Holy Trinity Church building was completed. In 1917, the Bank of Italy Building was completed. In 1922, the daily newspaper, the Fresno Bee, was founded and the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art and Science was built. In 1923, the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation building was built. In 1928, the Warnors Theatre was built.

In 1929, the original Saint Agnes Hospital was built in downtown. In 1936, the Fresno Memorial Auditorium was completed. In 1939, the Tower Theatre was built. In 1948, the Azteca Theater was built. In 1991, the City Hall was completed. In 2000, the University High School was established. In 2002, the baseball stadium Chukchansi Park, formerly Grizzlies Stadium, was built.