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Before irrigation, the main crop in the Modesto area was wheat. ". . .the Modesto District was practically one wheat field of 82,000 acres," according to a 1920 Modesto Chamber booklet.

 

Irrigation : Water Wealth

 

Thirteen years of litigation delayed the advent of irrigation in the San Joaquin Valley. It was a long time to wait until the dams and canals could be built to help provide water for new crops to be grown in the Modesto area. It seems odd now, as homes spring up everywhere on the once fertile soil; as it becomes more difficult to find actual orchards

LaGrangeDam

La Grange Dam

 

What's New

 

About Historic Modesto

 

Coming Soon

 

Timeline

 

Early Regional History

 

Ralston

 

The 1870s

 

Irrigation: Water Wealth

 

Early 1900s

 

1933 - Gallo Winery

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1940s Modesto

 

1960s High School Days

 

Gallo Timeline

 

McHenry Mansion

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The Arch

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Hotel Modesto

 

Stages & Screens

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Trees & Parks

 

Del Webb Field

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Rogers Fountain

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Saving the Mansion

 

Thru the Years

 

Part 2

 

The Strand

 

Baseball Greats

 

Restoration

 

The Fountain Today

 

Jack Elam

 

Frederick Faust

 

George Lucas

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Frank Mancini

 

James Marsters

 

John Martel

 

Timothy Olyphant

 

Harve Presnell

 

Andrew Toti

 

Anne Veneman

 

Tisha Venturini

 

Episode III Premiere

 

American Graffiti

 

Star Wars

 

Lucas Plaza