antioch is the third-largest city in contra costa county, california, united states.the city is located in the east bay region of the san francisco bay area along the sacramento–san joaquin river delta.the city's population was 115,291 at the 2020 census.the city has grown substantially more diverse since the 1970s.the town has been variously named east antioch, smith's landing, and marsh's landing, prior to its current name.in 1848, john marsh, owner of rancho los méganos, one of the largest ranches in california, built a landing on the san joaquin river in what is now antioch.it became known as marsh's landing, and was the shipping point for the 17,000-acre (69 km2) rancho.it included a pier extending well out into the river, enabling vessels drawing 15 feet (4.6 m) of water to tie up there in any season of the year.the landing also included a slaughterhouse, a smokehouse for curing hams, rodeo grounds, and a 1+1⁄2-story dwelling, embellished with fretwork, that was brought around the horn to serve as a home for the mayordomo and his wife.in 1849, twin brothers rev.william wiggins smith and rev.joseph horton smith sailed from boston, purchased land from john marsh and founded a town slightly west of marsh's landing, and named it smith's landing.during the town picnic on july 4, 1851, william, the town's new minister, persuaded the residents to change the name of the town to antioch, for the biblical city of antioch, 'in as much as the first settlers were disciples of christ, and one of them had died and was buried on the land, that it be given a bible name in his honor, and suggested 'antioch' (an ancient syrian town where two important rivers meet and where the followers of christ were first called christians), and by united acclamation it was so christened.'around 1859, coal was discovered in several places in the hills south of antioch, and coal mining formed the first substantial business apart from farming and dairying for the inhabitants of this community.this new industry resulted in the founding of the towns of nortonville, somersville, stewartville, and black diamond (now pittsburg), and added greatly to the economic activity of the antioch area.the empire coal company was formed by john c. rouse and george hawxhurst in 1876, which built a railroad that passed from antioch toward the mines over what is now 'f street' (formerly kimball street).however, later on, both the mine and the railroad passed into the hands of the belshaw brothers.the mines have long since ceased operation, and the railroad tracks have been dug up, though the building that served as the antioch terminus of the railroad still stands on the corner of f street and fourth street, and the grading and trestles still remain much as they were in those early days.in 1863, a great excitement arose over the discovery of copper ore near antioch.smelting works were built at antioch, and the ore fetched $15 to $25 per ton.the copper bubble eventually burst, to the dismay of the citizens, and petroleum was first drilled for near antioch in 1865, but not enough oil was found to make a decent profit.the antioch post office was opened in 1851, closed in 1852, reopened in 1855, closed again in 1862, and has operated continuously since reopening in 1863.the city of antioch was incorporated in 1872.the antioch ledger was first issued on march 10, 1870.to commemorate the paper's formation, a copy of its first issue has been framed and hangs over the desk of the present editor.
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antioch is the third-largest city in contra costa county, california, united states.in 1848, john marsh, owner of rancho los méganos, one of the largest ranches in california, built a landing on the san joaquin river in what is now antioch.during the town picnic on july 4, 1851, william, the town's new minister, persuaded the residents to change the name of the town to antioch, for the biblical city of antioch, 'in as much as the first settlers were disciples of christ, and one of them had died and was buried on the land, that it be given a bible name in his honor, and suggested 'antioch' (an ancient syrian town where two important rivers meet and where the followers of christ were first called christians), and by united acclamation it was so christened.'