Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library

Stockton History

Since its founding in 1849, Stockton has had a diverse, colorful past.

The Library has items valuable for learning Stockton's history.

Consider any of the following:

Baltich, Frances. Search for Safety: the Founding of Stockton's Black Community, 1982. 979.456 BAL reference, non-fiction

Butters, Esther. Stockton Story, 1957. J 979.456 BUT Non-fiction, children non-fiction, local history, reference

Davis, Olive. Stockton: Sunrise Port on the San Joaquin, 1998. 979.456 DAV non-fiction, reference

Hillman, Raymond W. Cities and Towns of San Joaquin County since 1847, 1985. 979.456 HIL reference, non-fiction, children non-fiction

History of San Joaquin County and its Local Communities, 1996. 979.456 GRE non-fiction, reference, local history, children non-fiction

Minnick, Sylvia Sun. Chinese Community in Stockton, 2002. 979.456 MIN non-fiction, reference, local history

Stockton: Good Old Days Remembered, 1998 [KVIE]. Video 979.456 STO video collection

Wood, R. Coke. Stockton Memories: A Pictorial History of Stockton, California, 1977. 979.456 WOO reference, non-fiction

The Chavez Central Library has a local history collection that covers in particular Stockton, San Joaquin County, and the Gold Rush era.
City Beneath Your Feet - Stockton, CA - Archaeology
www.stocktongov.com/DiscoverStockton/
Discover artifacts from a Chinese laundry. An educational activity page about a true archaeological dig in Stockton. City Beneath Your Feet was developed by students at the Anthropological Studies Center, at Sonoma State University based on an archaeological excavation on the site that now is the location of the City Center Cinemas. More technical information on the excavation can be found in Historic archaeological investigations of the City Center Cinemas block, published by Stockton's Redevelopment Agency.
Haggin Museum
The Haggin Museum, San Joaquin County's only art and history museum, has been referred to by SUNSET Magazine as " ...one of the undersung gems of California." Its art galleries feature some of the finest examples of works by such noted 19th-century painters as Albert Bierstadt, Rosa Bonheur, and William-Adolphe Bouguereau, as well as many other American and European artists. Its history displays focus upon this area's past and the accomplishments of its residents, such as Charles Weber--Stockton's founder; Benjamin Holt--inventor of the Caterpillar track-type tractor; and Tillie Lewis--the "Tomato Queen."
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
www.sanjoaquinhistory.org
San Joaquin County history is presented for old and young as living history. Some of its collection's finding aids are available through the Online Archive of California.
Stockton Speaks! When We Were Young: 3 Generations of Stocktonians
www.stocktonspeaks.org
An oral history project that showcases a collection of multi-cultural, multi-generational "coming-of-age" stories, from 54 individuals, in nine ethnic groups, from Stockton, California.

Photo credits: Harriet Chalmers Adams and Charles Weber portraits are housed in the Local History Room of the Chavez Central Library; portrait of Benjamin Holt, courtesy of HOLT CAT.

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