Galt California     


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The city of Galt is located in the Central Valley about 13 miles south of Elk Grove.  This area once regarded for its affordable real estate has experienced price increases in housing similar to Elk Grove and other Central Valley locations.  It still, however, holds promise for starting families and for the opportunity of new business and development.  

In 1869, a successful land owner and rancher, Dr. Obed Harvey, was instrumental in helping to create the town of Galt out of necessity.  He persuaded the Central Pacific Railroad to lay track near his home.   He started up building  under the town laws of 1869 along the right-of-way of the railroad track.

         

John McFarland, another large land owner named this settlement after a town in Canada named Galt, Ontario.    A portion of John McFarland's property is now called the McFarland Living History Ranch.  Mr. McFarland is responsible for building some of the first brick buildings in the area.  One of those structures is still standing and in use today in Galt, at 4th and B Street.

        

Front Street is now 4th Street which was once the center of all business activity. 
Here you would have seen farmers, cattle, and stockyards to the south of the station for shipment to the east, along with sacks of wheat and barley piled high awaiting transport to the mills. 

For years Galt was the agricultural center of the Sacramento Valley until the Lincoln Highway  was built which went through the East side of town.  The Dry Creek Bridge was built and became the longest steel bridge in California.  As transportation increased businesses migrated from 4th Street to along the new Lincoln Highway, which is now known as Lincoln Way.

A few changes have taken place since then, but Galt still remains steeped in agriculture and is located only a short distance from larger cities such as Lodi, Elk Grove, Stockton and Sacramento.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the popular Galt Market is underway and is well known for its bargains in produce and merchandise of every kind having its beginnings back at the Sacramento County fairgrounds in the 1950's.  This open air mall with over 400 vendors on 10 acres offers bargains for both the eclectic and discriminate shopper. 
  

         

Other popular events in Galt include the Annual Strawberry Festival held in May of each year.  Arts and crafts, home and entertainment, carnival and amusement rides, and of course strawberries create a theme and event to remember and enjoy!