Stockton was founded in 1849 by a German immigrant, Charles M. Weber, who had acquired over 48,000 acres through a Mexican land grant. Captain Weber tried gold mining but realized opportunities lay in providing for gold seekers from all over the world. Several names had been attributed to Stockton, including Tuleburg, Gas City and Mudville. The city was officially named after Commodore Robert F. Stockton, a naval officer who in the 1840's was responsible for driving the Mexican forces out of California. Stockton became the first city in California to receive a name that was not Spanish or Native American. The city was officially incorporated on July 23, 1850, and Stockton’s charter from the State of California dates from 1851. By 1854, Stockton was the fourth largest city in California.
|