BY JILL K. APPLEGATE

How about a little hometown trivia? Here’s some of the history, the glory, and the infamy of Fresno and the Central Valley, courtesy of the Pacific Coast Region National Model Railroad Association.

Always Sunny in Fresno

With 79% sunshine throughout the year, Fresno is the seventh sunniest city in the United States.

Holy Water

The first irrigation canals in Fresno County were developed by resident Moses Church. These “church ditches” transformed the landscape of Fresno County from dry desert to rich soil, sparking a staggeringly successful agriculture and farming community, part of the richest farming region in the history of the world.

Top of the Crops

Fresno County is the U.S.’s most productive agricul- tural region, producing more than $4 billion each year from its more than 250 agricultural crops.

Fruit of the Vine

In 1875, pioneering winemaker Frances Eisen accidentally left some of his grapes on the vine too long. The dried grapes gave birth to Fresno’s illustrious raisin industry—and crowning the city the Raisin capital of the world.

Sour Grapes

Reputed to be the most corrupt politician in Fresno County history, Vice-leader Joseph Spinney was mayor for only ten minutes. During his 1893 tenure he gave a speech thanking voters for electing him, resign- ing from his post, and nominating CJ Craycroft to the post, which Craycroft held for eight years, according to “The Valley’s Legends & Legacies III.”

Tree City

Fresno came to be a town in 1872, as the railroad was laid down through the Valley. It was named after the native ash trees.

Deep Roots

The county’s first orange tree was planted before Fresno was even a city—in 1866 in Centerville. The first apples and fig orchards were planted by two former slaves, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Moore.