The Historic Mills Station Building

Susan - Rancho Cordova as a community has existed since the 1950s.  Before that it was known as Mills. But earliest history is actually pre-Spanish.  The Nisenan Indians of the Maidu group were noted living in the area by Gabriel Moraga, a Spanish explorer, who trekked through the area in 1808.   Rapid development of the community during the 1950s and 1960s was spurred by the growth of Aerospace at nearby Aerojet.  Mather Air Force Base was also part of the community.  Rancho Cordova hit hard times in the 1970s, when Aerojet significantly downsized.  And again in the early 1990s, when 3 Sacramento military bases were shut down, including Mather.  However, in recent years, along the Rancho Cordova Highway 50 corridor, there has been much development in tech enterprise, insurance companies and other private company development and expansion.  Rancho Cordova was incorporated as a city on July 1, 2003, and since then has gained more control of its destiny.  I see really good things on the horizon.  Rancho Cordova is fiscally sound!

Kerry - As a lifelong Sacramento gal, I have a fondness for our historic sites too.  I find it sad when I drive by places of my childhood and find they have been dozed over and forgotten.  I understand progress, but to give you a little insight.  The building above, was primarily moved to widen Folsom Boulevard back in the 1970s, and to allow room to develop a motel and a Denny's.  Since then Denny's has moved out, and the motel is boarded up, and likely to face demolition shortly.  Progress isn't always what we think it will be:-(

Kwee - You're very welcome.  I hope you are having a great week!

Lou - You're very welcome!  I wish you good luck and success as well!

William - Yes she does!  I watched them periodically while they were doing her renovations.  They stripped her down to the ankles, ripped her sides out, and revealed her studs.  It was a brutal ordeal!  I doubt you or I could handle that kind of physical renovation.  Heck, I wouldn't even want to try, but I do know a couple politicians I'd like to watch undergo a similar procedure. It would be the next best thing to torture. .LOL

William - I'm not really into horror scenes either:-)

Tom - It really has!  Folsom Boulevard has been been undergoing redevelopment for the longest time.  I'm hopeful that when it is finished and an economic recovery can gain teeth, the area will prosper.

Sandy - This one was so agressively renovated that I hardly recognize it from the building I knew as a kid.  I'm glad they were able to save it!

Irene - I find myself visiting the older historic places and learning so much more about their history than I knew when I was a kid.

Yolanda - It has been the last decade or so, that has found me much more interested in history. 

Erika - I'm glad the blogs are to your liking and that you enjoy them.  I hope you are having a great week!

Alexandra - There have been a couple of instances in Sacramento, where disregard for historical significance fell by the wayside for something else.  Most notably was The Alhambra Theater, which had spectacular archetecture.  It was leveled to make way for a Safeway.  I think much of the community never got over it!

Elizabeth - I have other friends who have made many moves in their life, and they tend to perceive the world as you do!  It does make a difference!  I've been in the greater Sacramento region nearly all my life.  I see history in every corner!

Fred - In school, I wasn't that keen on history!  But have a real appreciation for it now!

Endre - That is my hope too!  When I visited London, I was struck that nearly everywhere you stepped history was being tread upon.  I haven't looked at things the same since! 

John - If only they could, the tales they would tell!  I have seen old photos of the place, and hoped to have one to include with this blog, but alas, it was like they were cleansed from the web.  I hope to work on that with Rancho Cordova's Historical Society.