The rich, booming history of Fremont, CA

Fremont is a beautiful city that lies in Alameda County in California. It’s famous for its friendly residents and countless attractions. Some of its gems include numerous Indian restaurants, the great Mission Peak (which offers a breathtaking view of rolling hills), Lake Elizabeth Park (a top place for relaxation), and a neat donut joint, Vasy’s Donuts (which offers large and well-glazed doughnuts).

Not only is the city rich in content, but it also has a uniquely amazing history. Let’s take a walk back in time as we explore how Fremont was before transitioning to the booming city it is today.

How Did Fremont Get Its Name

Fremont was named after American politician and explorer John Charles Fremont. He frequently visited the place and was committed to exploring it. His love and interest in the city contributed largely to the naming of what was then an ordinary area with a humble beginning.

History of Fremont

The city of Fremont was a quiet place in California with people who were farmers. The great soils made it possible for the farmers to plant enough crops to sustain themselves and also sell them to the public. Agriculture largely contributed to the growth of the city.

In 1848, miners began a digging exercise that would transform the area for the better. As they dug, they came across gold, which attracted the attention of many people. The discovery shifted the area from an agricultural haven to a hot spot for gold. More gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains but with time, the supply diminished and the excitement died down, turning the place into a resort for visitors briefly.

With no more gold to discover, the people returned to agriculture, which proved to be beneficial. They had so much food that they gave the neighboring communities some of it. Agriculture was the main source of livelihood for many years, until another great alternative came into the picture. This time, instead of leaning on just agriculture, they combined it with what was the beginning of the computer industry.

Technological Growth

The 80’s and 90’s saw Fremont become one of the few areas that housed countless high-tech companies. It was a welcomed change since they were still recovering from the gold rush and the properties the city needed to sell were finally selling. A growth in the computer industry transformed Fremont and the nearby areas into a famous technological area.

Consequently, the technological growth caused Fremont and the neighboring cities to be referred to as Silicon Valley. Fremont had the honour of housing the manufacturing plant of Apple’s first Mac computer. In 1999, an estimated 750 high tech companies had been established in Fremont.

Main Industries

Some of the industries that are excelling in Fremont are automobile production and the production of computer equipment and computers. As a matter of fact, it is the only place with a manufacturing plant that produces automobiles on the entire West Coast. The rise in demand for automobiles is seeing a tremendous growth in the industry. In 2010, Tesla Motors, which was founded in 2003, bought the former New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. company, which previously belonged to the city of Fremont.

Educational Institutions

Fremont prides itself on having great educational facilities such as Ohlone College, Terra State Community College, Unitek College, La’James International College and Midland University. Each of them offers quality education and keeps growing as the years go by. Students from different parts of the world are visiting the city to sample what these colleges have to offer.

Present-Day Fremont

A growth in real estate opportunities, as well as industrial growth, have contributed to the beauty of Fremont. From wildlife refuges, such as the San Fransisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, to attractions like festivals, it’s no wonder that people travel from far and wide to sample all the goodies that Fremont has to offer. And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Each year brings new treats to anticipate.

Conclusion

Every beautiful place in the world has a history, but not all have a great one. Fremont is a city whose history proves that even the most ordinary places can transform into a tourist attraction over time. Looking at it now, with all its advanced technological companies, you’d never imagine that it was once only a humble piece of land where farmers grew crops.