The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Fresno, California, USA. 19th century 1856 – Fresno County formed in 1856 with Millerton, a settlement along the San Joaquin River, as the county seat. 1865 – William Helm brings his wife and his sheep to the valley floor area south of Millerton. 1870 - Weekly Expositor newspaper in publication. 1872 – Fresno station founded by the Central Pacific Railroad Company 1874 – County seat of Fresno County moves from Millerton to Fresno due to population growth. 1875 Fresno County Courthouse built. Central California Colony established south of Fresno, creating a successful model for attracting settlers. 1876 – Fresno Morning Republican newspaper in publication. 1877 – Fresno Volunteer Fire Department organized. 1881 - William Helm bought the block bounded by Fresno, R, Merced and S Streets from Louis Einstein. 1882 – St. John Church built. 1884 – Big Fresno Fair begins. 1885 – Fresno incorporated. 1889 – Meux Home built. 1890 Barton opera house opens. Population exceeds 10,000. 1892 - Street cars introduced 1893 – Fresno Free Public Library opens. 1894 Fresno Parlor Lecture Club organized. Fresno Water Tower built. San Francisco-Fresno bike messenger service (during the Pullman Strike) initiated. 1899 – Santa Fe Passenger Depot opens. 1900 – Population: 12,470. 20th century 1900s–1940s 1901 Fresno City Railway in operation. Fresno Buddhist Temple founded. 1904 – Gottschalks shop in business. 1904 - First Butcher Shop Opened by Andrew David Green 1906 – Forestiere Underground Gardens begin developing. 1908 – Asparēz Armenian/English-language newspaper begins publication. 1909 – Raisin Day festival begins. 1910 – Fresno Junior College opens. 1911 Fresno State Normal School founded. Sunnyside Country Club opens. 1913 – Commercial Club organized. 1914 – Holy Trinity Church built. 1918 Sun-Maid raisin facility begins operating. Bank of Italy building constructed. 1919 – Fresno Historical Society and Temple Beth Israel founded. 1921 – Fresno State College established. 1922 - KMJ 580AM Radio begins broadcasting. 1922 – Fresno Bee newspaper begins publication. 1923 Fort Washington Golf and Country Club established. San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building constructed. 1925 – Security Pacific Bank Building constructed. 1926 – Fresno State Stadium dedicated. 1928 – Pantages Theater opens. 1929 Roeding Park Zoo opens. Z. S. Leymel becomes mayor. Chandler Airport opens as area's primary airport. 1932 – Fresno Memorial Auditorium built. 1935 – Academy (social group) formed. 1939 – Tower Theatre opens. 1942 –