Fair Oaks Celebrates 130th Anniversary
Jan 24, 2025 12:04PM ● By Judy Andrews, Fair Oaks Chamber of CommerceThis year marks the 130th anniversary of Fair Oaks. Established as a produce-farming colony in the mid-1890s, early visitors from the Midwest were initially drawn to the area’s fertile soil, sunshine and striking natural beauty, a perfect combination for growing oranges, lemons, grapes, pears, olives and almonds.
Despite early hardships such as the Great Depression, World War II and a freeze that wiped out most of the citrus crop, Fair Oaks became a boom town in the 1950s with the construction of Folsom and Nimbus dams, completion of the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge and the arrival of Aerojet. In 1958, a Strategic Air Command B-52 wing was assigned to Mather Air Force Base, which had been in operation since World War I. New elementary schools were in demand and Bella Vista High School opened in 1960 to accommodate the fast-growing population.
Although the farms and fruit orchards are long gone, Fair Oaks is one of the few communities in the area to retain its charm and natural beauty found along the American River. Rich with history and a strong sense of community, it’s a town that long-time residents are proud to call home.
Preserving the Past
I want to thank the Fair Oaks Historical Society and History Center for
allowing me to share some of this history with you. The History Center,
currently run by Chris Highsmith, is where you can learn about the region’s
enduring past and talk to knowledgeable docents. Visitors can drop in the
center (located next to Sunflower Drive-in) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
For more information about the Fair Oaks Historical Society, please visit its website at fairoakshistory.org. New members are always welcome to join and can apply online or at the History Center during open hours.
Save the Date
The Fair Oaks Historical Society plans to host two special events on Sept. 27
to commemorate Fair Oaks’ 130th anniversary and the organization’s 50th year.
The events include a family-fun afternoon at Fair Oaks Village Park and a
Special Commemorative Dinner Banquet at the Community Clubhouse. Stay tuned to
this column for event details as they unfold.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading more about the people, events and places that helped shape this community in future editions of The American River Messenger. Also, be sure to follow the I Love Fair Oaks (ilovefairoaks.com) website for the “Days Gone By” series that Chrysti Tovani is producing and feel free to share a special memory of your own. Tovani is a Realtor®, marketing strategist and photographer based in Fair Oaks.
See you in Fair Oaks!