History of Visalia, California in Timeline

Visalia, California, located in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, is the fifth-most populous city in the valley and the 38th most populous in California, with a 2020 population of 141,384. Serving as the county seat of Tulare County, it is an economic and governmental hub for a highly productive agricultural region.

May 7, 1900: Accident on Railroad

On May 7, 1900, an accident involving a wandering calf on the Visalia and Tulare railroad injured several people.

October 10, 1900: Railroad Ceases Operation

By October 1900, the Visalia and Tulare railroad ceased operation due to competition and the accident on May 7, 1900.

1904: Visalia Electric Railroad Incorporation

In 1904, the Visalia Electric Railroad was incorporated.

1906: VE Operational

The Visalia Electric (VE) was operational from 1906.

October 1933: Fact-Finding Committee in Visalia

In October 1933, Visalia hosted a fact-finding committee, appointed by Governor James Rolph, to investigate labor violence during the San Joaquin cotton strike. Labor activist Caroline Decker led strikers in a march and questioned strikers during the investigation.

1946: Visalia Rawhide Inception

In 1946, the Visalia Rawhide, a Minor League Baseball team, began playing their home games at Valley Strong Ballpark.

1971: Valley Oak Ordinance

In 1971, Visalia adopted the Valley Oak Ordinance, regulating the pruning and removing of valley oak (Quercus lobata) trees.

1990: VE Abandonment

In 1990, the Visalia Electric (VE) line was abandoned and pulled up east of Exeter.

1992: Sale to SJVR

In 1992, SP sold the Visalia rail line to the San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVR).

1994: Rail Line Abandonment

In 1994, the portion of the rail line through Visalia, originally built by the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad, was abandoned and removed.

January 25, 1999: Greatest Snowfall

On January 25, 1999, Visalia experienced its greatest recorded snowfall with 2 inches (5.1 cm).

2000: US Census

In 2000, the US Census recorded Visalia's population at 91,565 people, with 30,883 households and a population density of 3,203.8 people per square mile.

2002: California Voting Rights Act

In 2002, the City of Visalia had been threatened with a lawsuit from a network of civil-rights attorneys claiming the city violated the California Voting Rights Act.

2006: American Community Survey

According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Visalia was recorded.

2006: Pollution Ranking

In 2006, the American Lung Association ranked Visalia as the 11th-most polluted city in the country for short-term and year-round particle pollution.

2007: Pollution Ranking

In 2007, the American Lung Association ranked Visalia as the fourth-most polluted city in the country for short-term and year-round particle pollution.

2008: American Community Survey

According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Visalia was recorded.

2008: Pollution Ranking

In 2008, Visalia was ranked as the third-most polluted city and fourth for highest year-round particulate pollution by the American Lung Association.

2009: Amgen Tour of California

In 2009, Visalia served as a host city for the Amgen Tour of California.

2009: Name Change to Rawhide

In 2009, the team took the name Rawhide, reflecting its changing major-league affiliates.

2010: Amgen Tour of California

In 2010, Visalia served as a host city for the Amgen Tour of California for the second consecutive year.

2010: United States Census

In 2010, the United States census reported Visalia's population was 124,442 with a population density of 3,431.4 inhabitants per square mile.

March 5, 2012: Vote on Election Initiative

On March 5, 2012, the Visalia City Council voted to put on the November 2012 ballot an initiative to change the way that Visalia voters elect their city council.

November 2012: Election Initiative Passed

In November 2012, a measure was passed to change the way Visalia voters elect their city council.

November 2012: City Council Elections

Until November 2012, Visalia voters elected at large the five-member City Council.

2015: V-Line Bus Service Unveiled

In late 2015, city officials unveiled the V-Line, a bus that connects Visalia and Fresno, featuring amenities such as free WiFi and charging ports.

November 2016: District Elections

As of November 2016, Visalia holds district elections in which candidates must live in one of the five areas forming the city, and only residents of that area cast their votes.

2020: Population Count

In 2020, the census recorded Visalia's population as 141,384, making it the fifth-most populous city in the San Joaquin Valley.

2021: Minor League Baseball Restructuring

In 2021, as part of Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball, the Rawhide were organized into the Low-A West at the Low-A classification.