James Banks and the Tuskegee Airmen

This page is dedicated to capturing stories of Tulare County local heroes, many of whom are alive today. We will begin by pursuing interviews with people of color who have made important contributions to the growth of the community. Please enjoy reading and viewing these interviews. Visalia is the oldest San Joaquin Valley town between Los Angeles and French Camp. When California achieved statehood in 1850, Tulare County did not exist. The land that is now our county was part of the huge County of Mariposa. In 1852, some adventuresome pioneers settled in this area, then called Four Creeks. The area got its name from many watershed creeks and rivers flowing from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. All the water resulted in a widespread swampy area with a magnificent oak forest. The industrious group of settlers petitioned the state legislature for county status and on July 10 of that same year, Tulare County became a reality and Visalia became the county seat.