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ABOUT 1891 the Southern Pacific Railroad Company built a rail line that extended from Tracy to Fresno. A water tank and pump were erected next to the line 12 miles due west of downtown Fresno. The tank had to be kept full so there would always be water for the engines. A caretaker was hired for the job but he got lonely and soon quit.
In 1894, a post office was opened named Collis for Collis P. Huntington, the president of the railroad. In 1899, the post office was moved to Rolinda. A large tract of arid land was purchased by the Bank of California as a speculative venture. The project’s promoter died, the bank became insolvent and the property was sold to two capitalists from Los Angeles, William G. Kerckhoff and Jacob Mansar. Their purchase included the town site where the post office had been. The Enterprise Canal had been built nearby and offered a potential for the colony development that Kerckhoff and Mansar promoted. Many new people came to the town and the post office was reopened. In 1906, the town was renamed KERMAN -- a name that used the first three letters of Kerckhoff and Mansar.
By 1910, the town had a volunteer fire department and a branch library. Farms in the area produced alfalfa, peaches, figs, nuts, berries, vegetables & honey in addition to the famous Thompson Seedless Grape. Kerman was incorporated in 1946.
Historical Information from "The Heartland's Heritage", written by Catherine Rehart
| Kerman Wagon Train Schedule |  |
|
| Assembly Information: | Thursday, April 7th | |
| 4:00 pm | ||
| Liberty Intermediate | ||
| 16001 “E” Street | ||
| Participating School: | Liberty Intermediate | |
| Superintendent: | Roger Halberg | |
| Evening Schedule: | 5:00 pm | Dinner |
| 6:00 -- 9:00 pm | Wagon Train Activities | |
| 9:00 pm | Camp Lights Out | |
| Departure Information: | Thursday, April 8th | |
| 9:00 am | ||
| Morning Schedule: | 6:00 am | Rise |
| 7:00 -- 8:00 am | Breakfast & Chores | |
| 8:00 -- 9:00 am | Preparation For Departure | |
| 9:00 am | Parade Through Town | |
| Head to Mendota! |
Please Contact Carole Lester, Fresno Historical Society for further
details.
559.441.0862 fresnocounty150@aol.com
Check back to this page for images from
the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train as we
“Celebrate The Journey” through Fresno County!