Salinas, California

1930Steinbeck's Salinas: John Steinbeck set many of his greatest works in Salinas, including East of Eden and Of Mice and Men, immortalizing the valley.

1856Settlement Founded: Salinas was established as a farming community in the fertile valley between the Gabilan and Santa Lucia ranges.

1936Lettuce Strike: Filipino and Mexican farmworkers organized major strikes in Salinas lettuce fields, part of the broader labor movement that led to the United Farm Workers.

1962Steinbeck Wins Nobel Prize: John Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, bringing worldwide recognition to his Salinas Valley settings.

2000Agricultural Powerhouse: The Salinas Valley solidified its position as the 'Salad Bowl of the World,' producing over $4 billion in crops annually.