Add YOUR Family To This Page
History of Modesto, California, USA
Journey back in time to Modesto, California, USA
Visit Modesto, California, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.
Are you from Modesto? Do you have ancestors from there? Tell us YOUR story!
Modesto, Stanislaus, CA
Modesto was originally a stop on the railroad connecting Sacramento to Los Angeles. At its founding in 1870, it was to be named Ralston after financier William C. Ralston. Ralston's modesty prompted him to ask that another name be found, and the town was named Modesto in recognition of his modesty.
Modesto was incorporated in 1884 with a population of over 1,000.
kids.kiddle.co
There is MUCH more to discover about Modesto, California, USA. Read on!
- 1870 - Modesto’s first post office was established in November of 1870 on 9th Street (then called Front Street)
www.modestogov.com - 1870 - The first Central Pacific train reached Modesto on October 11, 1870, allowing local farmers to transport their dryland wheat to the Bay Area and providing passenger service.
www.modestogov.com - 1871 - The arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad increased Modesto’s importance and the county seat was moved from Knights Ferry in an election on September 6, 1871.
www.modestogov.com - 1872 - Community baseball was organized in 1872, becoming the (independent) minor league Modesto Reds in the 1890s.
www.modestogov.com - The City of Modesto was incorporated on August 6, 1884.
www.modestogov.com - Electric lights illuminated Modesto for the first time in early 1891.
"The city’s first sewer system was built in 1892, with a main on 9th Street draining laterals into the Tuolumne River. The city’s first public water...Read MORE... - 1895 - Modesto
Modes'to, a prosperous post-village, capital of Stanislaus co., Cal., is on the Visalia division of the Central Pacific Railroad, in the San Joaquin...Read MORE... - 1906
Modesto, a banking city, capital of Stanislaus co., Cal., on the Southern Pacific R., in the San Joaquin Valley, near the Tuolumne River, 30 miles S. ...Read MORE... 
Modesto Creamery
"After the turn of the century, Modesto Creamery began manufacturing ice locally."
www.modestogov.com
Postcard
Modesto Blizzard
Postcard
Postcard
1937 - THREE DIE WHEN TRAIN HITS AUTO LEAVING RANCH NEAR MODESTO; CAR IS DEMOLISHED. THIRD VICTIM OF AUTOMOBILE COLLISION SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES.
Modesto, Calif. - FRANK G. BORGES, 45, driver of the car; MIKE SEQUERIA, 47 and MRS. EMILY FRANCIS, about 38, were killed yesterday when a Southern...Read MORE...
Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Modesto, California, USA
Modesto, California, USA
![Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3a%2f%2fgreenerpasture.com%2fPlaces%2fDetails%2f1654&media=https%3a%2f%2fgreenerpasture.com%2fContent%2fancestorimages%2fmodesto_ca_2.jpg&description=Modesto, California, USA - Modesto Creamery
"After the turn of the century, Modesto Creamery began manufacturing ice locally."
www.modestogov.com)
Modesto Creamery
"After the turn of the century, Modesto Creamery began manufacturing ice locally."
www.modestogov.com
Postcard
Modesto, California, USA
Modesto Blizzard
Postcard
Modesto, California, USA
Postcard
History, News and Stories of Modesto, California, USA
Add History/News/Story-
1870 - The first Central Pacific train reached Modesto on October 11, 1870, allowing local farmers to transport their dryland wheat to the Bay Area and providing passenger service.
www.modestogov.com
-
1870 - Modesto’s first post office was established in November of 1870 on 9th Street (then called Front Street)
www.modestogov.com
-
1871 - The arrival of the Central Pacific Railroad increased Modesto’s importance and the county seat was moved from Knights Ferry in an election on September 6, 1871.
www.modestogov.com
-
1872 - Community baseball was organized in 1872, becoming the (independent) minor league Modesto Reds in the 1890s.
www.modestogov.com
-
The City of Modesto was incorporated on August 6, 1884.
www.modestogov.com
-
Electric lights illuminated Modesto for the first time in early 1891.
"The city’s first sewer system was built in 1892, with a main on 9th Street draining laterals into the Tuolumne River. The city’s first public water... Read MORE...
-
1895 - Modesto
Modes'to, a prosperous post-village, capital of Stanislaus co., Cal., is on the Visalia division of the Central Pacific Railroad, in the San Joaquin... Read MORE...
-
1906
Modesto, a banking city, capital of Stanislaus co., Cal., on the Southern Pacific R., in the San Joaquin Valley, near the Tuolumne River, 30 miles S. ... Read MORE...
1937 - THREE DIE WHEN TRAIN HITS AUTO LEAVING RANCH NEAR MODESTO; CAR IS DEMOLISHED. THIRD VICTIM OF AUTOMOBILE COLLISION SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES.
Modesto, Calif. - FRANK G. BORGES, 45, driver of the car; MIKE SEQUERIA, 47 and MRS. EMILY FRANCIS, about 38, were killed yesterday when a Southern... Read MORE...
Modesto, California, USA Genealogy
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Modesto, California, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were born or died in Modesto.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Modesto, California, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Modesto.View Them Now
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!
Search for Your Family by Place
Updated: 1/22/2020 5:03:37 PM
Are you from Modesto? Do you have ancestors from there? Tell us YOUR story!
If you'd like to be contacted by others who have ancestors from Modesto, leave a message here!The comments you read here belong only to the person who posted them. We reserve the right to remove off-topic and inappropriate comments.