From "Cities & Towns of San Joaquin County": In 1870s, the Stockton and Visalia Railroad were to spur development of the town by construction of a branch to Oakdale in Stanislaus County from the main line of the Stockton and Copperopolis Railroad at Peters. The Project was controversial and before long, Southern Pacific acquired the line. By 1915, there were three passenger trains daily each way.
Aside from the train, there was also the Southern Pacific Motor Car Service, which took high school students to Stockton. These gasoline driven cars had special flanged wheels that could run on the tracks.
The business district was to grow considerably as a result of the railroad. By 1880, there were two saloons, two blacksmiths, a meat market, a boot and shoe maker and a harness shop, in addition to the hotels already mentioned. At about this time, there were also two Chinese laundries, a pharmacy, doctor's office and livery stable.
The close of the 1890s was a turning point, with the completion of the Santa Fe Railroad through Escalon in 1896. Farmington lost its role as a regional trading center to this new community. In 1902, the day after Independence Day, a fire caused by a firecracker destroyed eleven commercial buildings in Farmington's business district. While some were rebuilt, the town was never to recover.
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Happy Birthday to Joni Kalebaugh on Wednesday, May 30th.
Happy Birthday to David Kalebaugh on Tuesday, June 5th.
Early Birthday wishes to Kelly Kroon, on Wednesday, June 6th.
Happy Anniversary to Kevin and Megan Kroon, on Wednesday, June 6th.
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We attended the Farmington Fire Department annual Pancake Breakfast. As usual the breakfast was delicious. I didn't realize I was so hungry until I sat down and started in. All of the volunteers were very busy making pancakes and of course Conni Bailey, our Fire Chief was standing over the hot stove cooking up the scrambled eggs. Other volunteers were selling raffle tickets, cleaning off the tables to make sure that everyone had a clean place to sit and enjoy their meal. They had a wonderful turn out. Great job to the Farmington Fire Department Volunteers.
*****
Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
Aside from the train, there was also the Southern Pacific Motor Car Service, which took high school students to Stockton. These gasoline driven cars had special flanged wheels that could run on the tracks.
The business district was to grow considerably as a result of the railroad. By 1880, there were two saloons, two blacksmiths, a meat market, a boot and shoe maker and a harness shop, in addition to the hotels already mentioned. At about this time, there were also two Chinese laundries, a pharmacy, doctor's office and livery stable.
The close of the 1890s was a turning point, with the completion of the Santa Fe Railroad through Escalon in 1896. Farmington lost its role as a regional trading center to this new community. In 1902, the day after Independence Day, a fire caused by a firecracker destroyed eleven commercial buildings in Farmington's business district. While some were rebuilt, the town was never to recover.
*****
Happy Birthday to Joni Kalebaugh on Wednesday, May 30th.
Happy Birthday to David Kalebaugh on Tuesday, June 5th.
Early Birthday wishes to Kelly Kroon, on Wednesday, June 6th.
Happy Anniversary to Kevin and Megan Kroon, on Wednesday, June 6th.
*****
We attended the Farmington Fire Department annual Pancake Breakfast. As usual the breakfast was delicious. I didn't realize I was so hungry until I sat down and started in. All of the volunteers were very busy making pancakes and of course Conni Bailey, our Fire Chief was standing over the hot stove cooking up the scrambled eggs. Other volunteers were selling raffle tickets, cleaning off the tables to make sure that everyone had a clean place to sit and enjoy their meal. They had a wonderful turn out. Great job to the Farmington Fire Department Volunteers.
*****
Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
