In the 'City of Trees' Virtual Cache

The origins of Woodland as an agricultural community can be traced to the early 1850's. In the winter of 1853, Henry Wyckoff settled in a dense grove of oak trees and opened a small store. Soon other businesses located in the area, including a store owned by Major F.S. Freeman. Major Freeman offered free lots to those who would clear the land and build homes. Before long the settlement of Yolo City was established around what is now the central part of Main Street. Yolo City soon became an important agricultural center. Irrigation was a major contributor to the agricultural success of the region. The first irrigation canal was developed in 1856 by James Moore, who owned exclusive water rights to Cache Creek.

Yolo City also grew as a community. In 1861, Major Freeman gained permission to build a federal post office in the town and Yolo City was renamed Woodland. In 1862, the Yolo County seat was transferred from Washington (in what is now the city of West Sacramento) to Woodland. One year later, Major Freeman recorded the first plat of the city. The northern portion of present-day Woodland was divided into blocks, lots, and streets. Sixth Street was designated as the eastern boundary; College Street was the western boundary; North Street was the northern border, and South Street (now Main Street) was the southern boundary. By 1870, the population of Woodland was an estimated 1,600 and most of the oaks for which the town was named had disappeared. Woodland incorporated in 1871.