Kings Canyon Unified School District history

It was here that Reed's family joined him in late 1876.

1883 Thomas Law Reed leases land from the 76 Land and Water Company and plants wheat

In March of 1884, Reed made his move to what was then known as Smith's Ferry, Fresno County, to begin farming.

1888 Southern Pacific Railroad brings a branch line into the area and plots the town and names it in Reed’s honor, TL Reed begins selling town lots

1890 Reedley’s first Grammar School is built

1900 First Japanese arrive; Volunteer Fire Department started; Reedley Culture Club formed; New Post Office built; First transcontinental train rolls through the San Joaquin Valley on the Santa Fe tracks.

1902 Reedley Chamber of Commerce started.

1903 Water lines are laid; The first Swiss Mennonite settles in Reedley; Reedley State Bank built.

1904 Santa Fe RR Spur tracks built to Piedra; The first vehicle is driven in Reedley.

1905 The first Finnish farmer locates in Reedley; Reedley High School is built.

1907 Electricity arrives in Reedley; Farmers, Merchants’ and First National Banks are built; the Reedley Ledger newspaper is created;.

1908 The first fire plug was placed on the corner of 10th and G Street

1911 Founder T.L. Reed dies; Branch Line of S.F.R.R. built to Minkler and Piedra; Finnish Hall started; Lincoln Grammar School built; Reedley Hotel finished; Reedley Grand Theatre opened; Reedley Y.M.C.A. organized.

1912 First telephone directory issue for Reedley; Reedley’s L.B. Cary is elected and serves the California Assembly for two terms.

1 adopting and prescribing the style of a Common Seal on February 25, 1913.

1916 First troop of boy scouts organized; Street numbering started.

1917 First City Hall building built; American Red Cross – Reedley Branch organized; Study & Civic Clubhouse built; Reedley joins the County Farm Bureau.

1920 Pioneer Park is established.

1922 City adopts zoning map; Planning Commission organized by ordinance; Legion hall dedicated; Reedley Lions Club organized.

Institutional doors were opened in September 1926, with a total of 30 students and six course offerings.

1928 First City fire truck purchased; Girl Scout troops organized.

1932 The City purchased a new Seagrave fire engine

1939 Reedley Hospital opens to the public; Natural gas arrives in Reedley.

1947 Work begins on Pine Flat dam; Fire Department accepts mutual aid agreement with Mid Valley Fire Department; City joins Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District.

1951 First July 4th live fireworks show held by Eagles/Legion.

1952 St LaSalle School built.

Two years later, in 1956, the new campus opened.

The Reedley High School Class of 1959 celebrated its 55th reunion in October.

1960 Department of Motor Vehicles opens a Reedley office; Present City hall is opened; Population listed at 5,850.

1963 Reedley celebrates 50 years; Jefferson school is dedicated; Reedley has over 326 businesses.

1971 City’s sewer plant expansion is dedicated.

1974 Camacho Park / Drainage Basin Development starts; Reedley’s police department is the first in the County to have a K-9 corp; A Senior Citizens group is organized; The high school’s auditorium is destroyed by fire.

1978 New Fire Station opens; First Japanese Americans are elected to serve on the Reedley City Council.

Reflecting the expanded area covered by the influence of the college, Reedley College officially became Kings River Community College in 1980.

1981 The City purchases a “Jaws-of-life” rescue tool as a result of citywide fundraising

1982 Dial-A-Ride City service begins.

1988 The first woman is elected to serve on the Reedley City Council.

1990 New Ladder/Pumper truck arrives at the Fire Department; population is at 15,791; City and Fresno County enter into tax sharing agreements; Ground is broken for the Senior Citizens multi-purpose room; Police Department introduces reserve officers on bikes;

On March 8, 1992, the Reedley Historical Society installed and dedicated a granite monument commemorating the establishment of the historic T. L. Reed Ranch.

1993 City Hall expands with a million dollar remodeling job.

1994 Reedley’s population is now 18,885, third largest in Fresno County; the City’s first-ever bank robbery occurred with an arrest the same day; Garbage service is automated; the first woman was elected Mayor.

2004 TL Reed Elementary opens its doors

2007 Fire Department hires full-time Code Enforcement Officer

2011 Construction of 1.5 million gallon Water Tower at Sports Park begins; Fire dispatching moved from Reedley PD to CalFire; Sierra Kings Medical becomes Adventist Health

2014 City adds solar panels at City Hall, Community Center, & at the Waste Water Treatment Facility; KCUSD opens new Aquatic Center at Reedley High School; Sports Water Tower becomes operational, adding 1.5 million gallons of water storage capacity to the City.