![]() It did not take long for business men to recognize the potential that the railroad would bring to the area, and Elk Grove has never been the same. The Western Division of the Central Pacific Railroad made its way south from Sacramento to Stockton, and it came across the Kerr property. Although the Elk Grove Stage Stop goes back to 1850 and it gave us our name, the town of Elk Grove started on the Kerr property a few years later in 1868 when the railroad came through. Main Street/Elk Grove Boulevard was the dividing line between the properties of two brothers, Joseph and George Harvey Kerr, who bought the 320 acres in 1852. In addition, we have two great historical markers to note great progress in education that took place there, and both were first in California! We had the first union free high school in 1893 and the first free county library branch in 1908. Not only did many of our businesses get started on that long ago Main Street, but so did our fire department, our water service, and our Chamber of Commerce. Almost everything that we do today in Elk Grove can trace its origins to the area around those railroad tracks that mark the center of our Old Town. In that east west stretch of road from Elk Grove-Florin Road to Waterman, we find our roots, and it is there that the foundation of our city was created and developed. Whatever name you give it, this special place is the heart of our great city of Elk Grove. Call it Main Street, call it Old Town, or call it our treasury of history.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |