Salinas California History

Salinas' earliest inhabitants, small tribes of Native Americans, were largely undisturbed during the Spanish era, and it wasn't until Mexico gained independence from Spain that outside settlers began to arrive here. The word "salinas" means "salt marsh," and the town that grew up after California became a United States Territory took its name from the large slough that once ran through the area.

In the mid-1800s, the agricultural industry began here, and in 1867, several local businessmen laid out a town plan and enticed the Southern Pacific Railroad to build its tracks through Salinas City.

Agriculture has continued as the area's major industry, and by the end of World War I, the "green gold" growing in the fields here helped make Salinas one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the United States. Today, "The Salad Bowl of the World" fuels a $2 billion agriculture industry which supplies 80% of the country's lettuce and artichokes, along with many other crops.