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In 1805, Spanish settlements on the coast were becoming crowded. Would the interior valley offer new possibilities for missions? In order to find out and to satisfy his own curiosity, Lt. Gabriel Moraga led an expedition into the valley. On March 20, 1805, his group reached a river that they named the San Joaquin River for St. Joaquin, the father of the Virgin Mary.
The year was 1852. Samuel Bishop who lived on the Fresno River Reservation, harvested a crop of wheat and Bud Akers planted grape cuttings near the Centerville area. Billy Martin planted apples and peaches on his property at Temperance Flat on the San Joaquin River. Irrigation was the key to success and prosperity in the great Central Valley.
And water meant power - electrical power. Fresno’s first engineer, John Eastman was the genius who paved the way for the development of hydro-electric power in the San Joaquin River.
And water equaled fun! Jesse Clayton Forkner knew his many workers on the Fig Gardens and their families needed a place to play. He made certain the trolley line ran all the way down Van Ness Boulevard - right to the Fresno Beach on the San Joaquin River. Also known as Riverview, the water-side picnic grounds and fishing hole provided a haven from the dog days of summer - even if you wore a suit and tie to the beach!
Scout Island, which is located at the end of North Van Ness Avenue, between the Fig Garden Golf Club and the San Joaquin Country Club, is a parcel of land that has played a significant role in the history of Fresno County. Once home to Native Americans who spent part of their year along the San Joaquin River, and the site where many young men experienced memorable Boy Scout adventures, Scout Island is evolving into an educational center where students, parents and teachers will create unique memories and develop lasting personal history.
Historical Information from "The Heartland's Heritage", written by Catherine Rehart
Scout Island Website
| Scout Island Wagon Train Schedule |  |
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| Participating Schools: | Pine Ridge / Big Creek | ||
| Superintendents: | John Ettner / Judy Statler | ||
| Schedule: | 4:00 pm | Arrival Time at Scout Island | |
| 5:00 pm | Dinner | ||
| 6:00 -- 9:00 pm | Wagon Train Activities | ||
| 9:00 pm | Camp Lights Out | ||
| Wednesday, April 19th | |||
| 6:00 am | Rise | ||
| 7:00 - 7:30 am | Breakfast | ||
PREPARE TO HEAD DOWNTOWN TO
THE SANTA FE DEPOT!
HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY FRESNO COUNTY!
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!