Town of the Week, June 6, 1998

Tulare, California

The main squeeze in this week's town just has to be the udder of a cow. You see, this town is at the heart of the number one milk-producing county in the country, Tulare county in California's Central Valley.

The city of Tulare is located on Highway 99, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. This agri-business giant hosts the largest farm equipment show in the world. The California Farm and Equipment Show and International Exposition, each February, is America's biggest and most successful trade show of any kind.

Since it was founded by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1872, Tulare has survived three fires which virtually destroyed its business district. Today, that business district includes a huge craft mall, an outlet center, the Tulare Historical Museum, and a Haagen-Daz ice cream plant.

The town's 40,000 residents are said to be revved up and looking forward in two weeks to another monster event, the World Championship Truck Destruction Derby. Self-described as the city with a smile, this is the home of the milk of human kindness, and its our Town of the Week, Tulare, California.

. . . from 1810 to 1821, war in Mexico slowly displaced Spanish rule from North America. In California, almost nothing was known of the fighting. It was with surprise that the Californios learned in 1822 that they had been, in fact, Mexicans for most of the previous year. . . . the American Government had growing desires for California during the Mexican period (1821-1846). The overriding impetus was first, to establish a port on the Pacific, and second, to avoid the founding of a new English colony. Americans recognized the weakness of Mexican hold over the territory, and the possibilities California offered to any power that should claim it. . . . the Yankees in California recognized that the influx in population made possible a remarkably quick transition to statehood. In June of 1849, less than 18 months after California became a legal U.S. territory by the treaty that ended the Mexican American war, that Governor Riley called for a constitutional convention.

California State Dept. of Tourism Official City of Tulare, CA Homepage

Animal: Grizzly bear Flower: Poppy Prehistoric Artifact: Chipped stone bear Rock: Serpentine Dance: West Coast Swing Song: I Love You, California Marine Mammal: California grey whale

Info for "D'ja Know?" and "Fun Facts" compiled from the Louisiana State Government web site.