Manteca

In the heart of California's Central Valley, immigrants arrived in earnest on the heels of the Gold Rush, ranching and farming the land, including the "Father of Manteca," Joshua Cowell, who traversed the Sierras on foot in 1863. Although the town was originally known as Cowell Station, the name Monteca (adapted from the Spanish word for butter) was proposed to distinguish the railroad stop and celebrate the dairy industry. The first tickets printed by the railroad labeled the town as "Manteca"--the Spanish word for lard. Manteca is known for one of the oldest landmarks in the county, East Union Cemetery (established in 1872); the family-owned and -operated Delicato Winery (established in 1924); and notable figures such as baseball great Milo Candini and Rep. John J. McFall. Today, Manteca boasts a population of 80,000; growth has been stimulated over the last 40 years by commuters who work in the Bay Area or Sacramento in exchange for life in a smaller community. This "Family City" is home to Big League Dreams, Bass Pro Shop, and the future Great Wolf Lodge, which will bring back waterslides to Manteca!