City of Galt
Categories
Government
About
City of Galt Contact Information:
Building Department: 209-366-7200
City Clerk/City Council: 209-366-7130
City Attorney: 209-366-7100
City Manager: 209-366-7100
Finance: 209-366-7150
Galt Market: 209-366-7160
Human Resources: 209-366-7103
Parks: 209-366-7180
Planning: 209-366-7230
Police - Administration: 209-366-7040
Police - EMERGENCY: 911
Police - Non Emergency: 209-366-7000
Public Works: 209-366-7260
Recreation: 209-366-7180
AFTER HOURS CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sewer and Water Emergencies: 209-366-7000, before 7:30 am and after 5:30 pm, Monday - Thursday, all day Friday, Weekends, and Holidays
City Facilities and Parks: 209-810-0293, before 8:00 am and after 5:30 pm, Monday - Thursday, all day Friday, Weekends, and Holidays
The History of Galt
The history of Galt begins during the gold rush days of the Sacramento Valley. In 1850, a group of farmers settled around the banks of a small stream, Dry Creek, close to Galt. Their plans were to grow beef and dairy products.
In the year 1869, the town of Galt, California, was laid out by the Central Pacific Railroad Company. The name Galt was given at the request of John McFarland, a local rancher, in honor of his home town in Canada. It was previously called Dry Creek Township after the stream by which they settled. By 1869, the community consisted of Blacksmiths, Dairymen and Cattle Ranchers. Raising cattle was the main occupation.
Galt was built almost entirely of wodden structures making fires the biggest problem for the town. However, many of the old Galt homes are still standing, in excellent preservation, around the town.
In 1880, Galt had two general merchandise stores, one variety store, one hotel, one harness shop, two blacksmith shops, two saloons, one meat market, one barley mill, Wells Fargo & Co.'s Express Office with three physicians and one attorney-at-law in town.
By the turn of the century, cattle raising and dairying gradually decreased and agriculture took over. The principal grain was wheat. Some of the biggest farmers in the are were John McFarland, Andrew Whitaker, Dr. Harvey, John F. McCaulley and Richard Rude.