Wandering Lizard
Central California

Corning, Tehama County - A Historical Note

California became a state on September 9, 1850. Gold had been discovered and the population of the new state was exploding. Most newcomers were attracted to the gold fields but an increasing number soon began settling as family farmers and ranchers. Tehama County was formed in 1856 and word soon got out that there was vacant land in the southern part of the county. The first house in the area was built by George Hoag, a Scottish immigrant, in 1860. By 1871 squatters had taken control of a large area that became known as Scatterville.

Charles Rice built the first store and, because he disliked the name Scatterville, began calling the town that was growing up around him Farmington. In 1878 the town was actually surveyed and lots were laid out. Rice applied for a post office permit and the postal service suggested that the name of the community be changed to Riceville. In 1881 the Central Pacific Railroad laid tract one mile east of town and the town was physically picked up and moved to the track. A depot was built and the name of the town was changed once again - this time to Corning after the name of an Assistant Superintendent of the Central Pacific Railroad.

In 1891 Warren N. Woodson purchased 3,100 acres of land from Hoag and subdivided it into ten acre parcels which he began promoting vigorously on the East Coast. This real estate venture was very successful and attracted a large number of new settlers to the area. Many of the newcomers planted various types of orchards. While many different crops did very well, the land and weather patterns seemed best suited to olives. In 1913 H.J Heinz began to pack olives and the die was set for Corning to become known as the "The Olive Town." Today it is a great place to learn about olives and olive oil.

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