| 1806 Lt. Gabriel Moraga explores area searching for mission sites. 1830 Kit Carson traps on valley rivers. 1844 John C. Fremont camps on Stanislaus River. 1854 Stanislaus County organized. 1870 Founding of Modesto District school at 10th and I. Southern Pacific Train Depot built on I Street. 1871 Modesto becomes the County Seat. 1872 First school building at 14th between H and I. An act to encourage irrigation passes. Drought year. 1872-73 Stanislaus County Courthouse built at cost of $60,000. 1873 First irrigation canal constructed. 1875 Modesto Hook and Ladder Company organized. Grollman Building built. 1876 Modesto Water Company organized. 1877 Rogers Hall built. 1878 Modesto Bank organized. Four physicians in Modesto. [Return to top] | | 1880 Population of Modesto is 1,693. Prentiss Hotel opens. Land for Modesto's first park donated by Southern Pacific. 1881 Fire destroys 9th & 10th, I & J Street blocks. 1882 First private telephone installed. 1883 First high school class organized. 1884 Modesto incorporated as city of fifth class. First telephone service started by F. E. Coulter 1885 First city jail built at 11th & G. 1886 First high school graduating class. 1887 Semi-weekly mail service inaugurated. First Election of Modesto Irrigation District officers. 1889 528 children in public schools. 1890 Population of Modesto 2,024. 1893 First crisis for M.I.D. - no money. 1894 First public telephone booth. 1899 First high school district established. 1900 Dairy industry begins in Stanislaus County 1901 Fire destroys last of 'Old Modesto.' | |