We are a community where neighbors and local merchants greet you by name and the welcoming never stops. Tradition, charity and prosperity abound. Locals know the secret: as one of the friendliest little cities in California , Tracy is a place to kick off your shoes, hang your hat, sit back and relax. The opportunity to live the good life still exists here, and family, faith, education and the arts are still valued within the community. This is also a town where tradition is constantly reinvented. While we move forward, we never leave our foundation.
Since our beginning in 1878, Tracy has had a strong identity. Our city was established by the Central Pacific Railroad due to its ideal location as a transit hub. J.H. Stewart, the railroad's superintendent, had great respect for Lathrop J. Tracy, an Ohio merchant. Stewart honored his friend and mentor by naming the town after him. Stores, houses, hotels and other buildings were lifted and moved by mule and wagon from nearby Ellis, and the town of Tracy sprang up in just a few short months.
Our strategic location is a theme that runs throughout our town's history, even as the country's emphasis has shifted from railroads to highways. Tracy is now centered in a triangle formed by the major interstates of 580, 205 and 5. Tracy is also conveniently situated just an hour from Sacramento , San Francisco and San Jose and just a few hours from Los Angeles . If it is recreation you seek, Tracy is also convenient to the Bay Delta, Yosemite , Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay .
Between 1990 and 2004, our population more than doubled as people arrived from the Bay Area seeking a hometown feeling and a more relaxed way of life. This growth brought increased numbers of young families to Tracy , broadened our ethnic diversity and increased percentages of home ownership and household size. Our economy has also diversified. From its roots in agriculture and railroads, to its present day identity as a distribution center for many corporations, to its current initiatives to attract further businesses and scientific industries, including green and sustainability related businesses–we know how to keep pace with the times.
In Tracy , we take education seriously. Our excellent school system is sought after by many families settling in the area. In addition to maintaining our current educational programs, we have plans to develop higher educational opportunities and specialized training. There are extensive public facilities for sports and recreation for both youth and adults. We plan to expand our recreational offerings by building a new aquatic center and sports complex. Tracy is also home to several annual festivals including the popular Bean Festival–a nod to our agricultural history. We also host smaller events like the summer evening Wine Stroll, which showcases one of our favorite current crops–grapes.
At the intersection of Tracy 's past and future, we are working to revitalize our historic downtown. Much will unfold in the coming years, but our success is already showing. Our original Town Hall, built in 1900, was completely reimagined to better serve our community. Our new City Hall opened at its Civic Center Plaza address in 2007. We are currently under construction on a first class, multi-modal transportation center which will be a hub for transit and business in downtown Tracy .
Another proud achievement involves the four buildings on the corner of Central Avenue and Seventh Street which originally included two early hotels, retail stores and our first firehouse, built in 1900. The Grand Theatre opened in 1923 as the centerpiece of downtown. Its Art Deco tower and marquee were added in 1939. Having fallen into disrepair, a tremendous community-wide effort raised funds both publicly and privately to restore this theater's former grandeur and return it to its place as a regional cultural center. Reopened in 2007, The Grand now provides arts programming for individuals and families including musical concerts, theatre and dance performances, festivals, films, art lectures and more. It is also a perfect venue to host meetings and events.
Like the historical naming of our town, Tracy has a custom of honoring its friends and neighbors. We keep this practice alive today. We are known for our hospitality and charity. By faith or by principle, giving is a strong value in Tracy . When a crisis or common cause emerges, we rise to the occasion, making sure that we take care of each member of our community.
We invite you to come for a visit, open your business and settle down to raise a family. Take a look inside the triangle–inside Tracy . You'll like our pace, and you'll love the place!
