“A small town set along Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Loomis anchors what was once an internationally known agricultural area, a disticntion it gained after early settlers came for gold mining along it’s rivers. The Central Pacific Railroad soon laid tracker here, providing a means for transporting fruit crops to market.”
“Established first as Pine Grove in the 1850’s the town later became Smithville, and later Pino. This led to confusion with Reno, so in 1890 it officially became Loomis in honor or postmaster and saloon keeper James Oscar Loomis. Agriculture is mostly gone now, but many downtown businesses retain their original architecture, and the restored railroad depot helps keep Loomis’ heritage alive”
…excerpt from Images of America Loomis
Arcadia Publishing has published a Loomis Basin Historical Society photographical journey that will take you through the early Loomis history that covers the influence of the railroad to bustling agriculture whose impact is still felt today. Available for order at Amazon.