Monday, January 20, 2014

History & Facts About Pleasanton, California

By Madeleine Glazier


Pleasanton, California, a picturesque city in California's Alameda County, is an ideal place to live and work. In fact, it has even been named as one of best places in the country to live by both Forbes and Money magazine. With a mild climate and close access to the San Francisco Bay, it is little wonder that many people flock to this mid-size city, which has a population of slightly more than 70,000 inhabitants.

The first people to reside in this area were the Ohlone, a peaceful group of hunters and gatherers who lived in huts much like other coastal indigenous people in California. These people probably arrived about 4,000 years before Europeans. Spain colonized the area in the late 18th Century, building a mission in San Jose and transforming Ohlone land into the large Rancho Santa Rita. Shortly after the U.S. acquired California, the Gold Rush occurred and a town called Alisal sprung up. Unfortunately, Alisal was not as pleasant as Pleasanton and was a violent hive for bandits robbing people on their way out of the gold fields. Once the gold petered out, the town of Pleasanton became a reality, incorporating in 1894.

One surprising bit of trivia is that Pleasanton was not given its name because of its pleasant nature, but the name is actually a typographic error. The city actually was named after Alfred Pleasonton, who was the Union cavalry general at the Battle of Gettysburg. His heroic efforts were not only important at Gettysburg but also in ending the war in Missouri. Sadly, a postal service employee made a mistake while registering the name and the spelling stuck.

There are many attractions in this city, and visitors often enjoy strolling through the historic downtown area, which boasts late 19th century architecture as well as shops, pubs and restaurants. There are quite a few events scheduled downtown during the course of the year, such as the annual tree lighting and holiday parade in December. The 1st Wednesday Street Party events also are popular, and visitors can enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine while they browse through shops and booths while enjoying live music.

Another interesting attraction in Pleasanton is the Alameda County Fairgrounds, which hosts the county fair every year as well as many other interesting events. For instance, the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games, perhaps the largest two-day event dedicated to Scottish culture in the country, is a popular annual event. The fairgrounds also includes a single-track horseracing venue, which opened in 1858, making it the oldest single-track in the United States.

If you are in the market for Pleasanton real estate or perhaps a house in a nearby town such as Livermore, it is best to find a real estate company that specializes in finding homes in Pleasanton and Alameda County. The team at 1stInSite.com can help you find the perfect home in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon or any other local city.




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