The Heartland's Heritage : An Illustrated History of Fresno County

The Heartland's Heritage travels through Fresno County's spectacular mountains and rivers and its valley blessed with fertile soil - the richest agricultural land in the world. It explores the lives of the area's American Indian people; the coming of the Spaniards, explorers and trappers; the excitement of the discovery of gold; the arrival of settlers; the beginnings of irrigation and agriculture; the building of a railroad; and the creation of cities. It is a story of people - courageous, hardy pioneers - who dared to come to a raw valley and through hard work, ingenuity and persistence create a heartland that feeds the nation. This is the story and the heritage of the place that is the heart of California.