Woodland History

Before the European settlers arrived in what would eventually become Woodland, the area was inhabited by the native Patwin band, a subgroup of the Wintun people. A “tribelet” of the Patwin, the Yolotoi, seasonally occupied the Woodland area and used Cache Creek for trade with their neighbors. The arrival of the Spanish marked the beginning of the decline in the indigenous population, but the influence of the Patwin can still be felt today, as they are responsible for the name Yolo County.

It was the pioneering farmers of the mid-1800s who sowed the seeds of commerce that are reflected in the thriving economy of Woodland today. These were people of the earth who recognized Yolo County’s rich soil, temperate climate, and effective transportation systems. In the winter of 1853 Henry Wycoff settled in a dense grove of oak trees and opened a small store which he named Yolo City; soon other settlers followed suit, including Major F. S. Freeman who bought Yolo City as well as 160 acres of land in 1857. He offered free lots to those who would clear the land and build homes, and before long the settlement of Yolo County was renamed Woodland with F. S. Freeman as its Postmaster. The Yolo County seat transferred to Woodland from present-day West Sacramento (then known as Washington) in 1862. This led to a development boom, as the town’s newspaper The Daily Democrat was established, and rail lines were built to connect Woodland to Davisville (now Davis) and Marysville.

Woodland’s strong historic heritage is still evident today in the impressive stock of restored buildings and homes, both downtown and in the surrounding neighborhoods, and is largely responsible for the community’s distinct identity and economic vitality. Various transportation routes, as important today as the railroads of the 1800s and the trade routes used by the indigenous people, create a wealth of opportunities for industry and commerce. Situated in the heart of California, Woodland’s proximity to the state capital of Sacramento as well as the Bay Area places it near the political and cultural pulse of the state. Outside of the San Francisco seismic area, Yolo County covers an area of 1,034 square miles – bounded by the Sacramento River to the east, Putah Creek to the south, Colusa County to the north, and the Coast Ranges (Little Blue Ridge and Vaca Mountain Range) to the west.