Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pleasanton: Some Interesting Information

By Madeleine Glazier


Pleasanton, California, a picturesque city in California's Alameda County, is an ideal place to live and work. In fact, it has even been named as one of best places in the country to live by both Forbes and Money magazine. With a mild climate and close access to the San Francisco Bay, it is little wonder that many people flock to this mid-size city, which has a population of slightly more than 70,000 inhabitants.

The Ohlone people were the first inhabitants of the area, dating back as far as 4,000 years ago. In the 18th Century, Spanish settlers arrived and the natives were forced into the Spanish mission system, and the land became part of Rancho Santa Rita. After California was acquired by the United States and gold was discovered in 1848, the area was well traveled by those seeking their fortune, and a town called Alisal sprang up. Unfortunately, this settlement was a well-known den of outlaws, gunfighters and other unsavory types. Eventually, as the Gold Rush settled down, the town became far more pleasant, and the actual town of Pleasanton was incorporated in 1894.

While Pleasanton truly is a pleasant place to be, that isn't how it earned its name. The town was named in honor of the Union army cavalry Major General Alfred Pleasonton, who was an essential part of the Union's victory at Gettysburg. However, when the U.S. Postal Service recorded the name of the town, the employee responsible made a spelling error and the town became known by its current spelling.

Downtown Pleasanton is a historic district that is popular with tourists and citizens alike. This area of the city is host to a variety of special events throughout the year. There are holiday events such as a parade and tree-lighting ceremony in early December. During the spring and summer months, the 1st Wednesday Street Party is a popular monthly event that includes live music and a variety of interesting booths set up by local businesses.

Another interesting attraction in Pleasanton is the Alameda County Fairgrounds, which hosts the county fair every year as well as many other interesting events. For instance, the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games, perhaps the largest two-day event dedicated to Scottish culture in the country, is a popular annual event. The fairgrounds also includes a single-track horseracing venue, which opened in 1858, making it the oldest single-track in the United States.

If you are in the market for Pleasanton real estate or perhaps a house in a nearby town such as Livermore, it is best to find a real estate company that specializes in finding homes in Pleasanton and Alameda County. The team at 1stInSite.com can help you find the perfect home in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon or any other local city.




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