City of Manteca history

Manteca’s first school was built in 1857.

A man named Martin in 1864 built a little residence of brick in that locality and later it was occupied by Peter Clapp.

The Southern Pacific in 1870 built a line of road from Lathrop to Ripon, then the center of the grain growing district.

In 1873, when the Central Pacific Railroad went through this area, the track was laid through the center of the Cowell Farm.

Some twenty years later, 1893, Joshua Cowell deeded land just opposite the cemetery for a church, and the Union Church Society erected a small temple of worship.

Joshua Cowell, now eighty years of age, justly called the "Father of Manteca," started a small creamery in 1896.

A merchant named J. J. Overshiner in 1898 erected a small building across the track from the depot and opened a general merchandising store, and in connection there was a butcher shop.

The Manteca-Rochdale store was opened in 1901, and the following year a blacksmith opened, where now stands the Bank of South San Joaquin.

In 1902, J.J. Overshiner built the first store building which was occupied by a general store and barber shop.

Obtaining money by subscription the grounds were cleaned up and a handsome gate and arch of cement and marble erected at the entrance. It is true that the Spreckels $2,000,000 beet sugar mill, employing some 300 men during the beet grinding season, gave Manteca an uplift, but it was the water that came flowing into their fields in 1903 that meant prosperity.

In 1909 the plant was removed to Manteca and sold the following year to Fred Holman.

Joshua Cowell gave them the right of way and the company erected a small freight platform and station where now stand the present depot erected 1910.

The Methodist Church is on West Yosemite Avenue. It was incorporated November 28, 1911, with a paid up capital of $25,000.

The Union Church, first used as a Brethren or Dunkard Church, was built in 1912 in North Manteca, the Manteca Improvement company having given them two lots for that purpose.

The bonds were not issued until 1913.

Yosemite School was the second elementary school built in the Manteca area in 1914.

Spreckles Sugar Company was constructed in 1916.

He had the honor of being the first Mayor when the town was incorporated in 1918.

Manteca Hospital opened an 18-room facility on the corner of Yosemite and Sequoia in 1919.

After many years of discussion, the first local high school classes met in huts in 1920.

The original Yosemite School (see last photo), often simply called Manteca School, was also destroyed by fire in 1948.

The current Yosemite school which now serves as the Manteca Community Day School was opened in 1950.

The third school in Lathrop lasted only one year and was torn down in 1952 and replaced by the present school.

After many years without a hospital, a new 49-bed facility was built on Cottage Avenue in 1962.

Manteca Unified was formed in 1966.

Founded in 1968, the Miss Manteca program originated as a contest that chose a local girl to represent the business community and the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.

In 1994, members of the former Manteca 4th of July Celebration Committee held a contest to bring back the Miss Manteca title.

Since 1995, Manteca Youth Focus has sponsored and awarded the Miss Manteca title and scholarship to the winner of the annual Manteca Youth Focus Scholarship Competition in the 16-20 age division:

Established in 1996, Manteca Youth Focus partnered with the Manteca Lions Club to create the Miss Teen Winter Festival title to the 1st alternate in the annual Manteca Youth Focus Scholarship Competition in the 13-15 age division:

Established in 1998, Manteca Youth Focus initially awarded the title of Miss Teen Pumpkin Fair to the 2nd alternate in the annual Manteca Youth Focus Scholarship Competition in the 13-15 age division:

In 1999, they expanded further to include the “Young Division” for ages 10-12.

Kaiser opened their hospital in 2005.

In 2009, the program evolved to add the “Community Advocacy Project” speech phase which challenges all youth participants across all age divisions to develop a platform to address an issue in the community for which they would like to have a positive impact.

In 2019, the MYF Board of Directors voted to rename the senior division inspirational award in her honor in the hopes to carry on her legacy of loving kindness and service above self.

In 2021, Manteca Youth Focus, in partnership with the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, created a new scholarship which is awarded to the 2nd alternate in the annual Manteca Youth Focus Scholarship Competition.