John W. Kottinger founded Pleasanton, California and named the city after a friend, Union army cavalry Major General Alfred Pleasanton. Mistaken as Pleasanton by a U.S. Postal Service employee, the city received its current title via an error.One of the earliest houses built in 1854 still remains today and is the centerpiece of Alviso Adobe Community Park.Ruled by bandits and desperados in the 1850s, the town earned the name The Most Desperate Town in the West. Old West style shootouts were seen regularly. Prospectors would receive unwelcome visits from banditos, such as Joaquin Murrieta, on the return from the gold mines and run for cover in Pleasanton. This died down in 1917 and Pleasanton, CA soon became the quiet small town residents desired.Under moderate climate skies, the historic downtown area of Pleasanton boasts architectural creations dating back to the mid-19th century. Various styles can be found among the homes in this quaint city, including those of the Queen Anne or Colonial fashion.
Maintaining a small population, Pleasanton is home to several events for the community. Saturday mornings sees the Farmer's Market sales, serving fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables, along with various homemade items. Many of these venues can be found by searching either the Pleasanton, CA yellow pages or the Pleasanton, CA business directory.A street fair ambiance can be felt from May through September. The First Wednesday celebration has the Pleasanton Downtown Association closing off Main Street to allow residents and visitors the opportunity to hold their street parties, such as Cinco de Mayo. Businesses and various organizations throughout the downtown area take over the center of the street with their booths. Local bands fill the air with music, which brings on plenty of dancing in the parking lots. Complete with beer gardens, residents can taste local wines and have a brew or two. Friday Concerts in the Park are held every Friday from June through September. The Pleasanton Downtown Association traditionally schedules different local bands to perform for listeners in the evenings. The event is free of charge and tends to pull in quite a large crowd.The Alameda County Fair is held annually in Pleasanton, with the usual rides, corn dog feasts, booths, and games. Car lovers flock to the fairgrounds during the off-season, to view many of the vintage and cherry cars on display. California's largest Scottish Highland Games are also held in Pleasanton, where kilts and bagpipes rule the city for the day.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
