HISTORY

In 1877, when the Southern Pacific Railway laid lines from Goshen to Coalinga, their path crossed through a Chinese sheepherder's simple camp. This camp was the beginning of the City of Hanford. The settlement was named for James Madison Hanford, auditor of the railroad, who also took a lively interest in the sale of town lots. The sale of lots began on January 17, 1877. Within a short time the settlement grew to a town and, with the powerful backing of the railway interests, Hanford became the trading center of the area. 

Through the early years, a series of devastating fires hampered the growth of the town. On the evening of July 12, 1887, a fire destroyed most of the downtown business district. The fire spurred talk of incorporation, but the idea of additional taxes prevented any action. Then, on the morning of June 19, 1891, another devastating fire raged uncontrolled for hours, once again destroying the downtown business district. This blaze proved to be the last straw for the early civic leaders.   

In response to the fire, on June 20, 1891, a town meeting was held to discuss incorporation.  The demand for incorporation was a direct outgrowth of inadequate fire protection. On July 19, 1891, a group of businessmen and civic leaders petitioned the Tulare County Board of Supervisors (Hanford was then in Tulare County) for an election to determine whether or not the town should incorporate. The petition was granted and the election was held August 8, 1891. The following vote was recorded: For incorporation, 127; against incorporation, 47. Four days later the handwritten Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State and thus August 12, 1891 marks the birthdate of the City of Hanford. When Kings County was formed in 1893, Hanford became the County Seat.

From its incorporation, Hanford grew into a thriving town, governed by a Board of Trustees. Schools and churches soon were established and an opera house was built. For many years Hanford had the only opera house between the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. In 1923, construction began on an assembly hall. This hall, known as the Civic Auditorium, was dedicated in 1924. It still stands today in downtown Hanford. The main auditorium is utilized extensively by community groups and organizations.