MARTIN THEODORE KEARNEY

Martin Theodore Kearney was a 19^th century English immigrant who became a pioneer land developer in California and became known as the “Raisin King of California.”

Born in Liverpool, Kearney and his family immigrated to Massachusetts in 1854, when he was twelve years old. Fifteen years later, Kearney re-settled in California and began large land purchases.

In Fresno County, he oversaw the development of the Central California Colony. The colony farm system organized land into 20-acre farms that included access to irrigation, roads and schools.

Continuing to see the potential of agricultural wealth in the Central Valley, Kearney encouraged the head of the University of California’s Agricultural Department to conduct a feasibility study on the soil.

After receiving a favorable report, Kearney created a farm system of orchards and vineyards and developed the 5,400-hundred- acre Fruit Vale Estate exclusively for raisin production.

He also formed the California Raisin Growers Association in Fresno, which later became the Sun-Maid Company.

Kearney died in 1906 and left his entire estate to the University of California.