To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Byron, California
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Byron, California as recommended by Supervisor Burgis.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
N/A
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Resolution won’t pass.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF: Recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Town of Byron, California.
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WHEREAS, in 2024, The Town of Byron is celebrating 150 years of rich history, close knit community, and its significant contribution to East Contra Costa County and the region; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of years ago, Yokut Native Americans inhabited the region near what is now Vasco Road. They lived off the land which provided acorns, nuts, and seeds as well as salmon, antelope, and deer; and
WHEREAS, in 1772 Spanish excursions explored Mount Diablo and the surrounding area. By 1835 the region was deeded to Don Jose Noriega who then sold 17,000 acres, at about three cents an acre, to John Marsh the following year. In 1841, immigrants of the Bidwell-Bartleson wagon train began to settle in the area that would become the Town of Byron, raising cattle on the abundance of wild oats, clover and alfalfa; and
WHEREAS, Point of Timber was an important shipping point and played a large part in the history of Byron. It held the area’s first post office, school, church, general store, and stage stop. Timber Point Landing provided local wheat growers a place to ship their products on barges and schooners bound for Carquinez or Port Costa and then onto larger vessels headed around the world; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Byron was founded in 1878 when the railroad built a line connecting Contra Costa County to the San Joaquin Valley, establishing transcontinental service. Byron’s first building was constructed by a cobbler named Smith, and it’s first home was built by Fred Wilkening, who became the first postmaster in the town. The railroad paved the way for people of many nationalities and cultures to come to the Town of Byron and establish a hotel, saloon and railroad depot; and
WHEREAS, the Byron Hot Springs drew international attention for its healing waters and luxurious resort in the early part of the 20th century. During WWII, the Byron Hot Springs Resort was purchased by the U.S. government and was used as an interrogation center; and
WHEREAS, over the decades, Byron has evolved, but remained steadfast in its commitment to preserving its agricultural roots while embracing economic development opportunities. Notably, the Byron Airport has become a hub for innovation, welcoming emerging technologies like drones that contribute to both local economic growth and regional advancements; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Byron looks toward the future with optimism, striving to uphold its agricultural core and small knit community at heart while embracing the transformative potential of modernization and technological innovation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby recognize and celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Town of Byron and urges all Byron residents and citizens of Contra Costa County to join in celebrating the Town of Byron’s Sesquicentennial anniversary.