03/13/2026
Tollhouse to Tranquillity
History is hiding in plain sight, in the names we give to places–but often we're unfamiliar with where those came from.
This , with generous assistance from the Heritage Center, we're shining a spotlight on the origin stories of many of our local communities. Hopefully you’ve learned some fun facts about our diverse segment of California. And now here are the Ts!
• Tollhouse - In the 1860s, as settlers began pouring into the Central Valley, the need for building materials grew, and much of the lumber came from the Sierras. The (ironically named) Wood brothers began hauling lumber and shake down the treacherous mountain trails to the valley below. Then, in 1867, mill operator J. Humphreys employed 2,000 men to build a road. This became a toll road, with travelers paying from 10 cents per head of cattle, horses, or mules, and $1.00 and up for a buggy and additional charges if there were livestock in tow. A town grew up around this toll house, thus becoming known as Tollhouse, California.
Yancy’s Cash Store at Tollhouse, circa 1910: https://archive.org/details/cfcpl_000165
• Tranquillity - We had a difficult time with the town of Tranquillity. It’s known that Jefferson G. James came west in the late 1800s, bought up thousands of acres and developed them into ranches, farms and home sites. The area became known as James Ranch. But where did the actual town get its name? Thanks to Sara at the Tranquillity Branch Library, we have this clue that is hidden within a poem about the establishment of the town. The author is unknown and the authenticity of this story is not verified. Here is part of the poem as it is written in the old pamphlet found in the archives of the Tranquillity Library:
“Jeff” James, cattleman, wise and strong,
Had come from Missouri, west;
He had his choice of the lands about –
He chose what he knew was best
Nearly two hundred thousand acres
Were claimed by this great man:
On rich Kings River bottom lands
The JAMES RANCH thus began.
***
Out of the store of James Ranch lore
Come tales from out of the past…
They divided the land, for on every hand,
The West was developing fast!
***
Jeff James had a grandson, Jefferson Graves;
From him we have come to know
How they chose the name for the lovliest spot
Where OUR town had started to grow!
For Jeff’s brother, Walter, an actor –
(Acclaimed, on the stage, “very good”)
Was given the task, subdividing
The land where our little town stood.
To name this idyllic location –
“I know what we’ll call it,” cried he;
“For my fathers’ Kentucky plantation,
Our Southern home, ‘TRANQUILLITY!’”
***
Peaceful homes and thrifty people –
Busy women, stalwart men
Said, “A Post Office is needed!”
This they got – in 1910!
Reclamation, Irrigation,
Roads laid out; a one-room school;
Rose E. Day, the town’s first teacher –
Education was the rule!
Other businesses were thriving –
Among them were a general store,
Land Office, a livery stable,
Blacksmith shop and FOLKS GALORE!
Tranquillity Elementary School, circa 1925: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1907
Thank you for joining us on this adventure as we discovered a bit more about some of our Fresno County communities.
