a place where the pig weed grew
The town was founded and laid out by David Jacks on his Rancho Santa Rosa del Chualar in 1874.
Camp site of Don Gaspar de Portola expedition of 1769
Many of the barns along this stretch of road were built by Swiss-Italian immigrants. At one point, Monterey County was the state’s largest cheese producer.
Another camp site of Don Gaspar de Portola’s expedition of 1769
Founded by Alfredo and Mariano Gonzales on Rancho Rincon de la Puente in 1874.
The town became the terminus of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1872.
A couple of historic homes are still standing (add homes)
Another camp site of Don Gaspar de Portola’s expedition of 1769
El Real del Alamo
The 13th in a chain of 21 missions built along the El Camino Real, the King’s Highway. It was founded in 1791 by Padre Fermin Lasuen. After being in a state of disrepair for many years, restoration began in 1954 and is ongoing.
Maria Josefa Soberanes, daughter of one of the earliest rancho owners, Feliciano Soberanes, married William B. Richardson in 1839. She received the grant of the Rancho in 1841 and the adobe was built in 1843. From 1860 to 1880 in served as a stage coach stop.
Founded on a portion of the Rancho Arroyo Seco by John S. Clarke and the California Home Extension Association between 1902 and 1905.
Irrigation sites
Established on a portion of Rancho San Lorenzo which had been purchased by Charles H. King from Feliciano Soberanes. When the Southern Pacific Railroad moved south from Soledad in 1886, this new community was born.
Another camp site of Don Gaspar de Portola’s expedition of 1769
The El Real de Chocolate campsite was near the site of King City. Perhaps inspired by the rich valley soil, they called their camp “El Real del Chocolate. This day’s march was of three leagues, and the camp, which we placed upon the plain adjoining the river, came to be known by the name of El Chocolate.
Jo Mora art on the Robert Stanton Auditorium adjacent to King City High School.
Lowe’s Station on Jolon Road –
Henry Cocks first established a stage station here in the early 1860s on Rancho San Bernabe. He sold out to James Lowe in 1866.
Jolon –
George Dutton acquired a one-story adobe here in 1876 which he remodeled into the two-story Dutton Hotel during the 1880s. (No longer standing)
Tidball Store – Tidball was once a partner of Dutton’s.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – The Rev. James S. McGowan founded the church and Bishop Kip consecrated it in 1885.
Don Gaspar de Portola made at least two camps in the Jolon Valley in 1769.
Mission San Antonio de Padua –
This mission, the third in the chain, was founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1771. Captain Juan B. DeAnza stopped here on his expeditions of 1774-1776.
Rancho San Lucas –
The Trescony Ranch in this area began with the purchase of the Rancho San Lucas by Alberto Trescony in 1862. To this were added two neighboring ranchos: San Bernardo in 1867 and the San Benito in 1885. The adobe house, adobe barn and blacksmith shop at the headquarters and homesite were built in the 1860s. Sheep and cattle raising were the principal agricultural operations of Alberto. His son, Julius A, engaged in the extensive production of barley and wheat. When the Southern Pacific Railroad extended its line south from Soledad in 1886, Julius A. gave land for the right-of-way and laid out the town of San Lucas.
Note monument over Alberto’s grave, San Lucas Cemetery