Overview

The deciduous forests and wetland areas of the southern San Joaquin Valley had seen few white settlers until the early 1850s, when Nathaniel Vise of Kentucky and a handful of other hearty pioneers settled in what was then called the Four Creeks Area. By 1858, Visalia had begun to establish itself as a strong agricultural community, was named the seat of Tulare County, and served as a stopping point on the storied St. Louis-to-San Francisco stagecoach route. Jumping ahead some 100 years, Visalia and Tulare County entered the 1960s as one of California's top agricultural centers, sparking an astounding growth spurt that saw the metro area's population double by 1970 and increase substantially over the next 30 years. Today, far from being "all-Ag," Tulare County is a diverse community offering a range of opportunities, including a community theater, an active downtown dining and shopping scene, and plenty of chances to "get back to nature," thanks to the close proximity of Keweah Oaks Preserve and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Big business, too, has found its way into this once-sleepy valley hamlet, thanks to the likes of Josten's Printing and Publishing, CIGNA Insurance, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Kraft Foods.

Recent User Activity in Visalia