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Modesto, California

"Water Wealth Contentment Health"

Where George Lucas grew up and American Graffiti cruised — a Central Valley farming city grappling with water wars.

Founded 1870 | Population 221,529 | Peak 221,529 (2024) | County Stanislaus County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Modesto, California

1973American Graffiti: Lucas's film based on cruising Modesto launched Harrison Ford's career.

1911Modesto Arch: 'Water Wealth Contentment Health' became California's most recognizable city arch.

1870Railroad Town: Central Pacific station named 'modest' when a founder declined to name it after himself.

1933Gallo Winery: Ernest and Julio Gallo founded what became the world's largest winery.

2010Water Crisis: Agricultural vs. environmental water demands made Modesto central to California's water wars.

1944Agricultural Powerhouse: Stanislaus County became a top agricultural producer.

2000Commuter Growth: Bay Area commuters drove population growth.

2003Laci Peterson Case: The murder case became one of the most followed in American history.

1870Irrigation Transforms Valley: Canals made arid land incredibly productive.

2020COVID Farm Impact: Pandemic highlighted essential farmworker challenges.

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1870 Government

Founded as railroad stop

1884 Government

Incorporated

1911 Architecture

Arch erected

1933 Business

Gallo Winery founded

1973 Culture

American Graffiti released

2000 Government

Commuter growth

2003 Crime

Laci Peterson case

2010 Government

Water wars intensify

2024 Government

Pop surpasses 221K

George Lucas's American Graffiti was inspired by his teen years cruising Modesto streets.

Gallo produces about a third of all California wine.

The arch motto seems ironic given Modesto's role in California's water wars.

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