Vision Statement

Delano is projected to grow another 16 percent by 2010. Growth of this magnitude requires planning. Local government, business, and residents have joined together in a visioning process to ensure Delano has a vibrant economy, jobs, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, and public safety.

History

Delano's early history originally began with the presence of the Yokut Indians. The Yokut Indians inhabited Delano before the Spanish Missionaries arrived. Historians believe that the population during that time (circa 1500-1700) was between 20,000 and 50,000. There were about 50 tribes, each speaking its own dialect. Interesting to note is that Delano's population today is just over 45,000 people. Spaniards later began to inhabit the Delano area in the mid 1700's. The Americans came after the Spaniards in the 1820's. More Americans became inhabitants in the Delano area after gold was discovered in Kern County in 1853 in the Greenhorn Mountains. The gold rush brought thousands of miners to the area each with unique and diverse backgrounds.

Delano was founded on July 14, 1873 as a railroad town. The name Delano was officially applied by the Southern Pacific Railroad in honor of Columbus Delano, the Secretary of the Interior for the United States at that time. Delano later became incorporated on April 13, 1915.