San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

Map of the Month: Plan of San Joaquin City, 1850 (MC2:4-25)

Our featured map for August reflects an early attempt to develop a city from scratch during the California Gold Rush.

San Joaquin City was established in late 1849 along the west bank of the San Joaquin River, south of present-day Tracy and Manteca. The town became an important stopping point for miners traveling to the southern mines, especially after a ferryboat crossing called Durham Ferry opened just north of the town in 1850. As the town quickly grew, residents believed it might one day rival Stockton.

While many Gold Rush towns quickly disappeared, San Joaquin City endured as inland shipping point for riverboats transporting grain farmed in the western San Joaquin Valley. Although this 1850 city plan was not developed initially, the city was laid out in a similar fashion in 1869. The city continued to grow until around 1879, when the new railroad service from Martinez to Fresno reduced river traffic in the area.

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad on the valley’s west side, combined with a change in the course of the San Joaquin River, ultimately contributed to the city’s decline in the early 20th century. Durham Ferry is now the location of an outdoor education center operated by San Joaquin County.

Despite mold and insect damage, the map itself has an equally interesting journey. It was discovered inside a business letter book belonging to Elias Grimes, who spent time in California during the 1840s. That volume eventually made its way to the Hawaii State Archives, which later donated the map to the California State Archives.

http://gencat.sos.ca.gov/minerva/permalink-d.html?key=2283

08/25/2026

A huge thank you to our many sponsors, event partners, and vendors who are going to help make the 6th annual San Joaquin County Tractor Fest the biggest and best yet! Mark you calendars and we can’t wait to see you all there!

Tractor entries are still open so call (209) 331-2055 or download the entry form TODAY by following the link below!

https://sanjoaquinhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tractor-Fest-Registration-Form-2026-FILLABLE.pdf

08/25/2026

A huge thank you to our many sponsors, event partners, and vendors who are going to help make the 6th annual San Joaquin County Tractor Fest the biggest and best yet! Mark you calendars and we can't wait to see you all there!

Tractor entries are still open so call (209) 331-2055 or download the entry form TODAY by following the link below!

https://sanjoaquinhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Tractor-Fest-Registration-Form-2026-FILLABLE.pdf

08/24/2026

A beautiful celebration of Sikh art, history, and stories. Good vibes, meaningful conversations, and so much to take in. If you’re around, make sure to stop by and experience the exhibit for yourself! 🙏🏽

Music: Eknoor Kaur and Bahadur Singh

Gatka and Shastar Vidhya: California Gatka Dal

Video: awwjla

Visit San Joaquin County Historical Museum to see the exhibit for yourself!

11793 N. Micke Road, Lodi, CA

08/24/2026

Stockton is proud to be home to the nation’s first-ever Sikh gurdwara and of all the accomplishments and contributions of our Sikh neighbors.

It’s wonderful to see that rich history being highlighted at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum!

08/22/2026

Tomorrow’s the day! Please join us at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum for the opening of our latest exhibit, “The Sikhs in America: Faith, Resilience, and Power.”Doors open at 10:00 am, and our program will begin at 10:30 am - see our attached program for more details. We’re especially grateful to Maharaja Indian Cuisine for providing food at the event.

Written by Dr. Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal and Executive Director Phillip Merlo, “The Sikhs in America” showcases the origins of the Sikh diaspora in California, the development of the Stockton Gurdwara, the growth of Sikh participation in Central Valley agriculture, logistics, and political life, and the rich cultural wealth of the Sikh community. We’re extremely excited to shed light on this history, and we hope to see you at the Museum tomorrow.

08/20/2026

A new exhibit traces more than a century of Sikh history, from America's first gurdwara in Stockton to the community's lasting impact on agriculture, business and culture. See link below ⬇️

📸 CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD

08/14/2026

Divey Kaur of Fresno leads the Fearless for Justice March in 2024 while carrying the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). The 350-mile commemorative march observing the 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India. The marchers started in Bakersfield and traveled through the Central Valley, with stops in San Joaquin County before reaching Sacramento. Along the way, marchers took turns carrying the Nishan Sahib. Photo courtesy of Sahibjit Singh

Learn more about the lives and contributions of Sikhs in San Joaquin County in the new exhibit “The Sikhs in America: Faith, Resilience, and Power” opening at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum on Saturday, August 22. For more details about the opening celebration, visit https://sanjoaquinhistory.org/news-and-events/upcoming-events/

08/11/2026

The Stockton Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) was established in 1912 as a religious, social, political, cultural, and educational hub for South Asian immigrants in the United States. This is perhaps the most well-known photo of the Gurdwara, taken circa 1915, which shows congregants gathered around the original building while wearing a combination of traditional and western-style apparel.

Learn more about the journey of Sikhs from Punjab to San Joaquin County in the new exhibit “The Sikhs in America: Faith, Resilience, and Power” opening at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum on Saturday, August 22. For more details about the opening celebration, visit https://sanjoaquinhistory.org/news-and-events/upcoming-events/

Photo: San Joaquin County Historical Museum, Lillian Palmer Collection