From "Cities & Towns of San Joaquin County" - During the great California Gold Rush, the stage and freight wagon road between Stockton and Sonora was as busy as any thoroughfare one could find in the United States of the 1850's. Lodging houses and saloons were established along the road about a day's travel from each other to serve teamsters and travelers.
Perhaps the earliest of these roadside enterprises was the Oregon Tent. It was nothing more than a tule thatched hut when erected by George Thayer and David Wells in 1848. The place was named after Oregon, as Wells hailed from that territory before settling on the bank of Little John Creek and forming the beginnings of what is now Farmington. The partners also planted the first grain in Douglas Township which extends to Linden.
Development of the town started when Nathaniel Harrold bought the 320 acres owned by proprietors of Oregon Tent in 1852. Grain farming and cattle comprised the economy, and Harrold who owned half the present town site, decided to rename the place Farmington in 1858.
Another very important landowner was W.P. Stamper, who owned the other half of the present town site. Harrold had the town surveyed into blocks, with individual lots priced at $150. This was a high figure for the time but was intended to discourage speculators and encourage those who purchased lots to develop them.
One of the first commercial buildings was a hotel constructed by Stamper along with a blacksmith shop and saloon he also financed. A second hotel in town known as the Farmington Hotel was operated by the John A. Campbell family. Originally a gold rush roadhouse it was acquired by Charles M. Alders and was known for years as the Central Hotel. With ten rooms, parlor, dining room and saloon, it operated until 1918 as the last hotel in town.
*****
Happy Birthday to Gloriajean Boone on Sunday, May 20th.
*****
Wishing a very happy anniversary to David and Joni Kalebaugh, on Sunday, May 20th.
*****
The Farmington Fire Department will be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 20th at the firehouse. All you can eat, 7 a.m. to 12 noon. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. There will also be some prizes and all proceeds benefit the Farmington Fire Department Volunteer Fund.
*****
Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
Perhaps the earliest of these roadside enterprises was the Oregon Tent. It was nothing more than a tule thatched hut when erected by George Thayer and David Wells in 1848. The place was named after Oregon, as Wells hailed from that territory before settling on the bank of Little John Creek and forming the beginnings of what is now Farmington. The partners also planted the first grain in Douglas Township which extends to Linden.
Development of the town started when Nathaniel Harrold bought the 320 acres owned by proprietors of Oregon Tent in 1852. Grain farming and cattle comprised the economy, and Harrold who owned half the present town site, decided to rename the place Farmington in 1858.
Another very important landowner was W.P. Stamper, who owned the other half of the present town site. Harrold had the town surveyed into blocks, with individual lots priced at $150. This was a high figure for the time but was intended to discourage speculators and encourage those who purchased lots to develop them.
One of the first commercial buildings was a hotel constructed by Stamper along with a blacksmith shop and saloon he also financed. A second hotel in town known as the Farmington Hotel was operated by the John A. Campbell family. Originally a gold rush roadhouse it was acquired by Charles M. Alders and was known for years as the Central Hotel. With ten rooms, parlor, dining room and saloon, it operated until 1918 as the last hotel in town.
*****
Happy Birthday to Gloriajean Boone on Sunday, May 20th.
*****
Wishing a very happy anniversary to David and Joni Kalebaugh, on Sunday, May 20th.
*****
The Farmington Fire Department will be hosting their annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 20th at the firehouse. All you can eat, 7 a.m. to 12 noon. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. There will also be some prizes and all proceeds benefit the Farmington Fire Department Volunteer Fund.
*****
Please contact me if you have items for the Farmington News column. E-mail me at farmingtonnews@gmail.com or phone 896-6697.
