Kings County Timeline

1852 : Avenal Ranch Adobe: The Adobe was built in Sunflower Valley by Missourians, John Cahill and Jim Welch. The adobe is the oldest known structure in Kings County.

1854 : Kingston Settled: Lucious Whitmore established a ferry crossing on the Kings River. The town of Kingston grew around the ferry, serving as a stop on the Overland Stage route between Stockton and Visalia. A bridge replaced the ferry in 1873, and the town went into decline. By the 1890s Kingston was abandoned.
: National / International
The Crimean War begins after Russia breaks off relations with England and France.
The U.S. Mint opens a branch in San Francisco.

1870 : Grangeville Settled: Kings County's first permanent settlement was established in 1870. The sight was selected in anticipation of the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

1873 : Lemoore Established: Lemoore was begun on land owned by Dr. Lovern Lee Moore. That same year, a band of outlaws led by Tiburico Vasquez raided Kingston.

1877 : Hanford Established: The Southern Pacific Railroad tracks were laid through Perry Phillip's sheep camp. The town that grew up in this location was later named for James Madison Hanford, a railroad executive.

1880 : Mussel Slough Tragedy: On May 11 at Brewer's homestead seven men were killed in a gunfight between settlers and U.S. Marshals. This was the culmination of a long standing feud between the settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad.
: National / International
James A. Garfield is elected President of the United States. He is assassinated the following year.
Gladstone becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain. The population of Los Angeles was 11,183.
1891 : Armona: The Southern Pacific Railroad built a depot at Armona.

1893 : Kings County Created: At an election held on May 23, 1893, citizens in western Tulare County voted to organize Kings County. The vote total was 1,452 in favor and 412 opposed. This same year the first dairy was established by Louis Giacomazzi.

1896 : Courthouse Erected: Construction on the first County Courthouse is begun. The first jail is built the following year. Both structures are still standing.