Vintage Realty - Robb Sturgess

Brief History of the Amador Valley
Two hundred and fifty years ago the Amador Valley (sometimes called the Tri-Valley Area) was the wildlife home to elk, grizzy bears, cougars, salmon, and coyotes. Oak trees, sycamores, buckeyes, and California bunch grass surrounded a large lagoon which fostered a dynamic population of aquatic creatures.

The Amador Valley was also part of a settlement of Ohlone (the people) Indians who came to the area several thousand years ago, and constituted the largest concentration of Native Americans in North America.

With the establishment by the Spanish of California's fourteenth mission, Mission San Jose in 1797, the valley became the pasture land for the mission's herd of domesticated animals. Cattle was raised for their tallow which earned money for the mission's endeavors. The Ohlone Indian's were aggressively incorporated and absorbed into the life of the mission.

In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain, but by the late 1830's the Governor had granted the vast majority of lands to loyal Mexican politicans, and supporters, sharing little with the Mexican citizens or the Indians.

With the huge influx of miners seekings gold in California in 1849, the Amador Valley became one of the main routes from the Port of San Francisco to the gold fields. The valley towns such as Alisal (now known as Pleasanton) became a stopover for miners anxious to seek their fortune in the Mother Lode. In 1850, California was admitted to the United States and brought an end to the Spanish/Mexican period of California's history.

The rich agricultural hertitage of the Amador Valley has been home to hop-growing in Pleasanton, wine production in Livermore, and grazing pastures in Dublin and San Ramon.

In 1952, the University of California established the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore to do research on nuclear energy.

The 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's brought drastic changes in residential and commercial building as well as expanded boundaries and population. With the establishment of the 850 acre Hacienda Business Park in Pleasanton and the 585 acre Bishop Ranch Business Park in San Ramon, both begun in 1982, the Amador Valley has become home to many large national and international operations such as Kla-Tencor in Livermore, Veritas, Documentum, and Safeway in Pleasanton, Oracle in Dublin, and Pacific Bell in San Ramon as well as numerous other business, professional, and technology firms.

The Amador Valley has grown from a wilderness to a vast dynamic complex of cities, businesses, and residential developments. Conveniently located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Amador Valley features distinguished schools, attractive museums, numerous parks, recreational facilities, and a culturally diverse population - all of which contribute to an enhanced quality of life for its 250,000 residents.

Contact Info:
Robb Sturgess, Broker/Owner
275 Rose Ave Suite 203
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-368-3449
EMAIL