This historical marker denotes the center of the farmstead of early settlers Jerome and Mary Chiles Davis. In 1845 and at the age of 23, Davis was part of John C. Frémont's third expedition that surveyed what would soon become the state of California. Davis married Mary Chiles, daughter of Joseph B. Chiles, who had settled in the territory in 1841. Chiles had a large land grant of twelve thousand acres, allowing his daughter and son-in-law to establish a prosperous homestead at this site. The Davis farm suffered reverses as a result of a devastating flood followed by severe drought, and the family sold the land in 1867. With the coming of the California Pacific Railroad, the land that had once been part of Chiles' grant and home to the Davis homestead became the town of Davisville. Reflecting the importance of agriculture to the area, and Jerome Davis's role as president of the California Agricultural Association, this land would later become the center of the University of California's agricultural satellite campus, known as the University Farm. The college's incoming class of eighteen students could hardly know that there humble institution would grow into its own degree-issuing institution in less than two decades, or that it would become one of the most prestigious colleges in the University of California system.
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing American competitive cyclists and contributors to the sport. The Hall of Fame includes numerous exhibits that pay tribute to early cyclists and the importance of cycling to early Americans. The museum preserve the history of American cycling and also seeks to promotes cycling as both a sport and fitness activity. Although there are several exhibits dedicated to the ways that women enjoyed greater mobility thanks to bicycles, the main emphasis of the organization is to preserve the history of those who have achieved success in racing or have enhanced the sport of cycling through innovation and coaching.
The Hamel home was built in 1920 by Henry Jacob Hamel and his wife, Lida. Hamel was the son of a German immigrant to the area, Henry Hartman Hamel, who became a prominent early citizen of Davisville.
The Dresbach-Hunt-Boyer mansion was built in 1875 for William Dresbach, owner of many of the community's early businesses and the city's first postmaster. The home is significant not only for its long history in the city, but also for its architecture as the only remaining Stick style Italianate home in Davis. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is now home to a non-profit business incubator.
Though there has been a Varsity Theatre in Davis since 1921, but the current Varsity dates back to 1950. It was designed by William B. David, who designed several theaters in California. It functioned as a movie theater for most of the twentieth century, until the 1990s, when it was purchased by the city of Davis for use as a community theater. More recently, the Varsity has reopened as an art house cinema.
The railroad is integral to the development of Davis, as the town, then known as Davisville, began as a train station. It was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1868. The current building was built in 1914 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Williams-Drummond home was built in 1876 for William S. Williams and was purchased in 1880 by John Craig Drummond. Drummond came to the area with his brother in 1849 as part of the gold rush. Drummond eventually became a prominent farmer in the area. The home remained in the Drummond family until the early twentieth century.
Joshua Tufts was an early and prominent resident of the city then known as Davisville. The Tufts home was built in 1890, after Tufts became a successful businessman. Tufts lived in the home until his death in 1914. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This tour begins at some of the historic Victorian homes of Davis before making its way to the downtown area. The tour includes historic buildings and theaters in addition to museums and markers related to the history of the community.
