Historical Park Contact us
 

 

 

 

The Dala Horse Story...(Large Dala Horses around town can be located in the alley on Draper Street between Smith and Marion  Streets with another located at 1776 6th Ave Dr and another in front of McDonalds.) The Swedish Dala Horse originated in the province of Dalarna, Sweden, and was hand-carved in various sizes and enameled in bright colors. During the 17th century it was used for barter. Woodcraft products in general have for generations demonstrated the innate skill of the Dala people. Carving toys for children, such as horses, birds and dolls was a common occupation in farm homes as well as in the woodsmen's temporary quarters during the long winter evenings. When in times of poor crops, it became necessary to augment income with revenues from other sources. These items were sold in neighboring provinces and proved a profitable commodity. With a wagon load of painted horses and other homemade articles such as bright ribbons, casks, barrels, hand-woven materials and copper pots, the Dala men would venture out to sell and to barter in exchange for grain. After staying overnight on farms along the way, they would, upon departure, offer a painted horse or two to the children as a token of appreciation for their lodging. Stories are told how they journeyed far and managed well without ready cash. The work of painting and decorating the carved pieces was left to those families who had developed a special skill in so called “krusning,” the characteristic motif being in flourish of swirling lines and broad strokes in bright colors. In Mora parish today, the people of Nisser farm (Nissergarden) have earned this distinction. Although the custom is slowly giving way to modern attire, the old native costumes are still worn on Midsummer Day when young and old still don this type of dress. Tourists from far and near gather to watch and photograph the festive crowd dancing around the Maypole, and to buy the stiff-legged, gaily painted Dala Horse as souvenirs. These decorative Dala Horses have become a familiar sight in the gift shops of Kingsburg and can be purchased in many sizes. In keeping with the Swedish Village concept, large, colorful Dala Horses are on downtown light poles.

 

Kingsburg Depot

(Located on Draper and California Streets) Kingsburg, like many towns in the Central Valley, owes its existence to the railroad. In 1871, the Central Pacific Railroad established the first depot and called it the Kings River Switch. The first building was a wooden shed 12 by 16 feet, the first station agent was L.A. Marshall. The present depot was dedicated in May of 1923. In the early days Kingsburg was also called Draperville and Wheatville. None of these names suited the postal authorities and in December of 1875 the name Kingsburg was chosen. Shortly after the depot was built in 1871, Josiah Draper was commissioned to draw up plans for the town. The first business of the railroad was cattle and wheat shipping. Later, with the development of the refrigerator car, the wealth of the valley’s produce was to be shipped nationwide. The year 1962 saw the last passenger train service to Kingsburg, with the discontinuance of “The Owl”. On April 30, 1971, the last streamliner, “The Daylight”, passed through Kingsburg, ending all passenger service in the valley for nearly two decades. The passenger station became the Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society of Kingsburg ran a museum for several years in the freight station. Today it is declared an historical monument.

 

The Kingsburg Water Tower...

(Located in City Park on Marion and Lewis Streets)    

Kingsburg’s water tower underwent a personalized transformation to reflect Kingsburg’s Swedish Heritage. The giant coffee pot, complete with spout and handle, is a colorful replica of the metal coffee pots available in local gift stores selling Swedish wares. The design and colors, primarily red, blue, yellow, and green, are authentic. It is a highly visible landmark dominating the skyline from Freeway 99. The Coffee pot is lit at night. The Swedes are a nation of enthusiastic coffee drinkers. Certainly the offer of a cup of the fragrant, brown brew is almost a ritual gesture of hospitality in the United States. It follows that the display of a 60,000 gallon pot of coffee implies a mammoth welcome of the warmest sort. Kingsburg is a community of approximately 9,500 that proudly proclaims the Swedish heritage of many of it’s citizens. The Kingsburg District Chamber of Commerce certainly created a memorable symbol of friendliness in 1985 when it gave it’s 1911 vintage water tower a make-over. New England Sheet Metal fabricated the handle and spout. Blanche Ulrich of Kingsburg designed the decorative floral motifs, or  KURBITS”. They are in the style of Swedish peasant painting (DAlMÅLING) called “RÄTTVIK”. The 122 ft. tall “coffee pot” is illuminated at night and visible for miles around.

 

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF KINGSBURG

(Now City Hall located at 1401 Draper St.)

In 1904, businessman Levy Garrett started the First National Bank of Kingsburg in the Maxwell Building. This was the second bank to be organized in this business block. In 1913, the bank was moved into its own building that had been constructed at a cost of $29,000. It was declared to be the most beautiful building in Fresno County. In 1920 the bank ceased operation and the City of Kingsburg purchased the building for $9,000. Today, the Kingsburg City Hall is housed in this building and stands as a symbol of civic pride and a reminder of the town’s proud heritage.

 

KINGS COOPERATIVE CANNERY

(Located on Kern and Marion Streets) 

The Kingsburg Growers Association was formed in 1914 and the cannery was built in 1915. It was sold in 1917 to the Kingsburg Cannery Company, and sold again in 1919 to Golden State Canneries. In 1922 the California Packing Corporation and their Del Monte label assumed control and came to be known as the Del Monte Corporation. It was through the efforts of A.W. Swensen, plant superintendent and a member of the original group, that the plant was kept open during the great depression. This helped the city of Kingsburg survive during these difficult economic times. In 1950, Mr. Swensen established the Del Monte public relations department in San Francisco. The Del Monte plant today is a major economic factor in the city of Kingsburg.

 

CLAY SCHOOL

(Located at 2321 Sierra St.)

In 1880, Clay School opened as a one-room school on Smith Street in the country area. The original building now serves as headquarters for the Kingsburg Historical Society. The school contains three rooms which house a museum with office space forthe Society. In 1975 the building was moved to the 8.9 acres acquired by the Society to begin development of a historical park. The original school opened with 11 students and reached 90 in 1975 when a new school was built. The Society has gathered a collection of Olaf and Andrew Olson’s (Olson Bros.) inventions and tools developed for agriculture. 

 

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH

(Located at Sierra and Draper Streets)

Although not the first church in Kingsburg, former members of the State Church of Sweden were in the core that formed the Lutheran congregations. The present building of the Concordia Lutheran Church was constructed in 1917-1918. Although costs were first estimated to be $10,000, World War I caused many obstacles to the building program in both cost and available labor. The new church was completed in the spring of 1918 and the final building cost was $19,000 with a debt of $7,800. The beautiful art glass windows are of Italian glass and all were donated by church members. A Moller pipe organ was installed in the 1940s and is still in use. The Firseside addition was built in 1950.

 

WASHINGTON SCHOOL

(Located at Ellis and Smith Streets)

In 1873, Kingsburg’s first school was a simple 12 by 14 foot cabin located on Simpson Street north of Draper. Kingsburg’s first school master was John Traber, who was paid $60 per month and taught at a larger wooden structure, Kingsburg’s second school house. It was through the vision of John Taber that the first irrigation ditch to Kingsburg from Centerville was completed. This move towards irrigation led to agriculture as a replacement to raising livestock in the area. In 1878, a new school house was constructed with Professor W. A. Sanders in charge. Historically, Professor Sanders is credited with importing Johnson grass to Fresno County. In 1888, a new three-room school was constructed at a cost of $6,500. Washington School, a brick two story building, was completed at a cost of $13,000. The lower floor was a grammar school, and on the second floor the newly established high school was assembled for the first time. Today, Kingsburg is proud to possess one of the finest school systems in the Central Valley. 

  
 
 
1475 Draper Street Kingsburg, CA  93631 Phone (559) 897-1111 Fax (559) 897- 4621
Copyright © Kingsburg District Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.