Happy birthday to Elk Grove
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On July 1, 2000, Elk Grove became the first new city in California and perhaps in the U. S. as well. A flag flew over the U. S. Capitol to commemorate Elk Grove’s cityhood, thanks to the late Robert Matsui. Our city flag will remind us forever that Elk Grove is connected to our state and national capitals, Sacramento and Washington D. C.
Ten years later, we continue to recognize the importance of preserving our history and the roots of our existence that brought us to where we are today. Elk Grove became a city because of the vision, determination, and hard work of south Sacramento County residents that culminated in our historical vote for independence. The stories of our past are important links to the great history of our state. Knowledge of what happened in our own back yards helps us make good decisions as we plan for the future of Elk Grove and the south county area.
The following is a summary of ten magical moments in our history when people led the way and made significant changes that affect how we live in the city of Elk Grove and the area around us.
Magic Moment ONE - In the Beginning, the Miwok People… Long before James Hall placed the name of Elk Grove forever in our California geography books, the tule elk made their home along the delta waters and the river known as ko’sum by the Miwok Indians. The mighty oak trees along the Cosumnes River brought forth an ample supply of acorns, a staple of the Miwok diet. These first Americans also came here for salmon, ko’sum, which is how the Cosumnes River got its name. There were villages all across what we now know of as Elk
Ten years later, we continue to recognize the importance of preserving our history and the roots of our existence that brought us to where we are today. Elk Grove became a city because of the vision, determination, and hard work of south Sacramento County residents that culminated in our historical vote for independence. The stories of our past are important links to the great history of our state. Knowledge of what happened in our own back yards helps us make good decisions as we plan for the future of Elk Grove and the south county area.
The following is a summary of ten magical moments in our history when people led the way and made significant changes that affect how we live in the city of Elk Grove and the area around us.
Magic Moment ONE - In the Beginning, the Miwok People… Long before James Hall placed the name of Elk Grove forever in our California geography books, the tule elk made their home along the delta waters and the river known as ko’sum by the Miwok Indians. The mighty oak trees along the Cosumnes River brought forth an ample supply of acorns, a staple of the Miwok diet. These first Americans also came here for salmon, ko’sum, which is how the Cosumnes River got its name. There were villages all across what we now know of as Elk
Magic Moment SIX, 1893 - The Elk Grove Union High School, the First Union Free High School in California. From the days of the California gold rush in the late 1840s until 1893, the young people of Elk Grove families had to be content with the education that was provided for them in their one-room country schools. If their parents wanted them to go on to higher education, the students had to go somewhere else because there was no high school in the south county area. In 1891, the California legislature passed a law that allowed the formation of a high school district if the majority of the heads of households voted for it. Six active citizens of Elk Grove, Dr. James McKee, Joseph Kerr, Joseph Hasman, Julius Everson, James T. Chinnick, and Alfred Coffman, decided that Elk Grove needed a high school. They held community meetings in all 18 grammar school districts, and 16 of the districts voted to form the Elk Grove Union High School District. This was the first unification of elementary school districts with a high school district in the state of California.