GONZALES — City of Gonzales recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the city’s incorporation by adopting a proclamation to honor the rich history of Gonzales.
The city was incorporated on Jan. 10, 1947, and more events are being organized throughout 2022 for the community to celebrate the milestone, which is also called a diamond jubilee.
In addition to the proclamation on Jan. 18, the Anniversary Planning Committee — comprised of Councilmembers Liz Silva and Lorraine Worthy, Director of Community Engagement Carmen Gil, Public Works Director Patrick Dobbins, Maury Treleven and Candice Camacho — has planned several events.
These celebrations include a parade and car show along Fourth Street on April 2, then a 7.5K Run/Walk in partnership with Gonzales Rotary Club on July 2, and a “Coming Home Jubilee” event tied with Gonzales High School homecoming in October.
In addition, 75th anniversary T-shirts and bumper stickers are available for purchase at city hall.
The City of Gonzales has a rich history, beginning with the Southern Pacific Railroad laying tracks through the area in 1872, and later a depot was built to service freight and passenger trains. In 1874, Mariano and Alfredo Gonzalez planned the original town, consisting of 50 blocks on land originally deeded to their father, Teodoro Gonzalez, in 1836.
Twenty years later in 1894, the earliest recorded population was 500 residents.
Cattle and grain raising dominated the area until the 1890s, when Swiss immigrants founded dairies. At the turn of the century, the Alpine Condensery was established to produce condensed milk, a process originated by a local resident.
In the 1920s, dairy farming gave way to vegetable crops, which thrived because of rich soils and advancements in irrigation, machinery and transportation.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1874. Gonzales Baptist Church was built in 1884 and still holds weekly worship services at the corner of Fourth and Day streets.
Today, historic buildings still stand on Fourth Street in downtown Gonzales and contribute to the city’s small-town charm that is enjoyed by residents and visitors.
“Gonzales is now a town of approximately 8,500 residents who continue to honor its small-town charm and who pride themselves on living the Gonzales Way — through Love, Care and Connection,” the City of Gonzales stated in a news release.
For more information about the celebration of events throughout 2022, visit the city’s website gonzalesca.gov or call 831-675-5000.
