The city of Salinas is named for the broad saltwater slough that once seeped in from Monterey Bay, saturating this plain between the Santa Lucia and Gavilian Mountains. Originally used as range land for cattle, a town developed from a stage stop after the Gold Rush, and the drained land produced grain and other crops. After World War I, immensely profitable large-scale lettuce, broccoli, and artichoke production, known as “green gold,” made Salinas one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. Isolated from its neighbors by mountains on both sides, early Salinas seemed a world unto itself, and its residents, both humble and wealthy, and the seemingly infinite green rows that surrounded it, provided similarly endless inspiration to novelist John Steinbeck, who recorded life here in the first half of the 20th century and imbued it with meaning.

Early Salinas (CA) (Images of America)

Arts & Photography

Breschini, Gary S.

Gudgel, Mona

Haversat, Trudy

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

The community of Spreckels in the Salinas Valley was the manifestation of the dreams of immigrant Claus Spreckels, later known as the "Sugar King." Architect W. H. Weeks designed Spreckels Sugar Company's town near its massive sugar beet factory, the largest in the world. Neat rows of single-story homes sprang up on the valley floor, opening to workers in 1899. Spreckels also built a narrow-gauge railroad to cart his cargo to the docks at Moss Landing. Sugar beet production changed the focus of valley agriculture from dry to irrigated crops, resulting in the vast modern agricultural-industrial economy in today's "Salad Bowl of the World." Although Spreckels died in 1908, his company continued to own and operate the factory and much of the town until 1982, and almost 500 residents still call it home.

Spreckels (CA) (Images of America)

Salinas is named for the broad saltwater slough that once seeped in from Monterey Bay, saturating the plain between the Sierra de Salinas and the Gavilan Mountains. Originally used for cattle, a town developed from a stage stop after the Gold Rush, and the land was drained and used for grains, potatoes, sugar beets, and other crops. After World War I, irrigation permitted the growing of lettuce, broccoli, and other row crops. Salinas became known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" and one of the wealthiest cities in the United States.

Salinas (Postcard History Series)

Monterey County Historical Society

The city of Salinas is named for the broad saltwater slough that once seeped in from Monterey Bay, saturating this plain between the Santa Lucia and Gavilian Mountains. Originally used as range land for cattle, a town developed from a stage stop after the Gold Rush, and the drained land produced grain and other crops. After World War I, immensely profitable large-scale lettuce, broccoli, and artichoke production, known as "green gold," made Salinas one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. Isolated from its neighbors by mountains on both sides, early Salinas seemed a world unto itself, and its residents, both humble and wealthy, and the seemingly infinite green rows that surrounded it, provided similarly endless inspiration to novelist John Steinbeck, who recorded life here in the first half of the 20th century and imbued it with meaning.

Early Salinas

History

Americas

Arcadia Publishing Library Editions

Salinas is named for the broad saltwater slough that once seeped in from Monterey Bay, saturating the plain between the Sierra de Salinas and the Gavilan Mountains. Originally used for cattle, a town developed from a stage stop after the Gold Rush, and the land was drained and used for grains, potatoes, sugar beets, and other crops. After World War I, irrigation permitted the growing of lettuce, broccoli, and other row crops. Salinas became known as the “Salad Bowl of the World” and one of the wealthiest cities in the United States.

Salinas: 10,000 Years on the Salinas Plain

Heritage Pub. Co