An overview of Turlock, California, home of Turlock Lodge #395

Turlock is a culturally diverse community located approximately 90 miles east of San Francisco, in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, and is home to California State University Stanislaus, and the Medic Alert Foundation.  With a strongly agriculture based economy, consisting of almond orchards, dairies, grape vineyards and turkey farms, Turlock has a population of 65,000.  Incorporated in 1906, it has a Mayor/City Council form of government.

As the California gold rush waned, immigrants found the central valley soils amenable to agriculture. The area surrounding Turlock was settled by various ethnic cultures and was based around the premise that in doing so, they could have a better quality of life and hope for a prosperous future. Dry land farming was tough and as always, dependent on the weather and the providence of the Almighty.

Realizing the potential in the soil, if only stable irrigation could be obtained, farmers and area leaders supported the candidacy of a Modesto attorney, C.C. Wright, for the State legislature.  After winning the election, he soon proposed the Wright Act, which allowed the formation of irrigation districts.  The Turlock Irrigation District was formed, after a positive vote of the people, in 1887, the first such entity under the Wright Act.

Harnessing the melting snow runoff from the Sierra Mountains to the east, and conveying it to the valley via a canal system, enabled a regulated supply of irrigation water for area farmers. Soon the area was blessed with such crops as melons, grapes, sweet potatoes and later fruit and nut trees, which flourished in abundance.  It also became a well established poultry center with turkeys, chickens and eggs.  More settlers came, most with a strong work ethic, rich family values and a strong faith in God.

Today, Turlock continues to grow, with its citizens enjoying the benefits of a low crime community with convenient access to the bay area to the west and the beautiful Sierra mountains and Yosemite National Park to the east.