The time is the mid 1800.s: Fifteen miles northwest of Princeton there was a small grove of willow trees that stood out as an oasis in the dry plains of the Central Valley. Travelers from river ranches to the foothills used this grove of trees as a landmark on their western journey. The grove was soon called 'The Willows'.

At Willow and Walker Creeks, a small lake was formed by springs and the willow and cottonwood trees stayed green during the long, hot summers. The trees furnished shade for the ambling cattle of Granville P. Swift, who had a stock ranch at 'The Willows' in 1840. Land along the Sacramento River was first settled and by the late 1850's newcomers to the Valley began to settle near the foothills and along creek banks, rejecting the dry plains.

Willow Creek soon attracted enough people that by the 1860's the village of Kanawha waas created and in 1871, a US Post Office was established at the Swift's adobe. By the 1870's the plains around 'The Willows' was also becoming settled by farmers. Land could be purchased from $4 to $6 acre. In August 1876 the Willows Grange was organized when J.M. Zumwalt came from Dixon with his family and settled where the town of Willows would later be.

William Johnson and Moses Hochheimer opened the first store located northeast of the present intersection of Tehama and Walnut in 1876. The opening was a double celebration by the townsfolk, as it marked the birth of the town and also the nation's centennial. Perhaps the true birth of the town was September 5,1876. At this time, Daniel Zumwalt deeded the land for a town site to Charles Crocker

who was bringing the Northern Pacific Railway up the west side of the Valley. Traditionally , new towns created by railways have taken their names from the person(s) who gave the land. In July 1875, a US Post Office was approved for the town of Willow -- the "s" not officially added until 1916. Although there had been talk of changing the name of Willows to Zumwalt, the existing name won.

The original town consisted o 34 blocks - Sacramento Street on the east to the alley west of Plumas and from a block north of Wood to one block south of Ash. Zumwalt's was the only house at this time and was soon turned into a hotel to feed and lodge visitors and new corners to the new town.

By the end of 1876 Willows consisted of 2 livery stables, 2 saddlery and harness shops, 1 grocery store, 1 liquor store, 1 butcher shop, 2 saloons, 3 blacksmith shops, 1 boot and shoe sore, 1 photography salon, 1 physician, and 3 hotels.

You can take a "Historic Willows" tour and view the lovely homes which still remain. Information can be picked up at the chamber or the Willows Museum. The tour is sponsored by the City of Willows, and funded by the California State Library through Library Services and Construction Act federal funds.