PROCLAMATION NO. 2022-01
WHEREAS, the City of Gonzales was incorporated on January 10, 1947; and today this 10th day of January 2022, marks the 75th Anniversay of incorportation of the City; and WHEREAS, Teodoro Gonzalez arrived from Mexico in 1825 at the young age of 19; and WHEREAS, he became the acting alcalde in Monterey in 1836, that same year he received a land grant from the Mexican government, el “Rincon de la Punta del Monte” (cornering on the point of a hill); the grant was composed of 15,218 acres of land in the Salinas Valley; and WHEREAS, in 1872, the Southern Pacific Railroad laid tracks through the Salinas Valley and later a depot was built to service freight and passanger trains; and WHEREAS, in 1874, Mariano and Alfredo Gonzalez (sons of Teodoro Gonzalez) planned the original town of Gonzales, consiting of 50 blocks on land originally deeded to their father, Teodoro Gonzalez in 1836; and
WHEREAS, cattle and grain raising dominated the area until the 1890s when Swiss immigrants founded dairies; and
WHEREAS, in 1894, the earliest recorded population was 500 residents, and Gonzales became home to an upholsterer, a harnessmaker, a cigarmaker, a couple of laywers and Dr. Gordon, who was the town doctor; and
WHEREAS, at the turn of the century, the Alpine Condensary was established to produce condensed milk, a process started by a local resident; and WHEREAS, in the 1920s, dairy farming gave way to thriving vegetable crops, advancements in irrigation, machinery and transportation; and
WHEREAS, today, 75 years later, Gonzales is a thriving community known as the Wine Capital of Monterey County, who has attracted major agricultural entities like Mann Packing, Taylor Frams, Braga, and Papé Mateirals, who just relocated their operations here from Salinas; and WHEREAS, Gonzales is now made up of approximately 8,000 residents who continue to honor its small-town charm and who pride themsleves living the Gonzales Way – through Love, Care and Connection.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, on this 18th Day of January in the year 2022, by the Gonzales City Council, that we will honor the rich history of Gonzales and will work to continue to commemorate its abudnace of riches into the future.
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José L. Rios, The Honorable Mayor