Dixon was incorporated in 1878. In its early years, Dixon was known for grain and, later, for alfalfa and dairy farming. Today Dixon, a town still rich in its agricultural roots, supports a population of almost 14,000 and has a terrain and climate that seem more like the flat Central Valley than its North Bay Area county location. Home to the annual August Lambtown Festival, Dixon has a well-deserved national reputation as a sheep industry leader. Dixon is also the home of the May Fair, the oldest state affiliated fair in California.
Dixon was to be Dicksonville
The California Pacific Railroad tracks were almost finished and a train station was needed. At this time Dickson donated 10 acres of his land for the depot and a city to be named after himself; Dicksonville. The first rail shipment of merchandise arrived in 1872 mistakenly addressed to “Dixon” and that spelling stuck.
University of California – Dixon?
At the turn of the century the California University System, the finest educational institution in the world, was looking for a farm to acquire for research related to the state’s booming agricultural. It was to establish a University Farm as part of the College of Agriculture. The Dudley tact, 960 acres was seriously considered. In the end Dixon was not selected, but an equally small community just a few miles east was chosen in Davisville. Davisville eventually became Davis and the University of California Davis is now known worldwide not just research in agriculture but also for achievements in medicine, law, and environmental sciences.
Solano County Fair was Originally in Dixon
In 1916 Dixon became the site of the Solano County Fair, indicating what a popular event horse racing had become. Even with Dixon maintaining one of the best horse race tracks around, the event was still called Dixon May Day. In 1933 the State of California legalized race horse betting. The May Day manager, Watson Kilkenny, organized with California Horse Racing Board so that Dixon received a share of the pari-mutuel wagering money. By 1936 the Dixon Fair became the 36th District Fair Association.
This type of horse racing began in Dixon by 1937 and races were held for two days each year with over $41,000 handled in pari-mutuel betting.
In fact, even when the State Racing Board closed and blacked-out most other race tracks after Pearl Harbor and World War II began, the races here in Dixon continued. By 1942 the horse races in Dixon were a major California event with people coming from all over.
As Solano County’s easternmost city, Dixon maintains the charm of a small town while offering the amenities of a more suburban area. Dixon, situated on the I-80 corridor, is located about one hour’s drive to the east of San Francisco and one-half hour to the west of Sacramento. The quality of life in Dixon is enriched by its proximity to many readily available cultural opportunities located in the Yolo-Sacramento region as well as in the nearby Bay area. Recreational opportunities abound for the sport enthusiast in the nearby Sierra, Lake Tahoe, and the Delta region as well as in the Shasta area located some 3.5 hours to the north. The University of California, Davis, is situated about 10 miles to the east of Dixon.
Learn more about DIXON , CALIFORNIA
City of DIXON , CA official website
County of SOLANO, CA official website
City of DIXON , CA general information
City of DIXON , CA chamber of commerce
City of DIXON , CA yellow pages
City of DIXON , CA newspaper
State of California official site