Kearney Kache Virtual Cache
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(virtual)
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This virtual, located at the entrance to Kearney Park, is available 24/7. To log this cache, email me the 3 terms the Fresno Historical Society uses to describe Mr. Kearney. If you have the time, please stop by the Kearney Mansion.
Martin Theodore Kearney (1842-1906) was a substantial contributor to the agricultural development of both Fresno County and the state of California.
Kearney devised a subdivision system whereby fencing and irrigation for all the lots in the colony were provided cooperatively. This enabled middle-class purchasers to start farming without the tremendous financial outlay other necessary.
From 1898 to 1905 Kearney was associated with the California Raisin Growers Association. He worked to stabilize the raisin industry through a tightly-controlled association, elimination of middlemen and an improved product for market. Though it seemed at the time that Kearney's efforts had failed, the Sun Maid Raisin Company was later founded on many of Kearney's managerial principles.
As early as 1899 Kearney had decided to leave his estate to the Regents of the University of California in hopes that they would establish a college of agriculture there, with the proposed Chateau Fresno as the administration building and his park as the campus. At the time of Kearney's death, his estate consisted of $1.5 million and 5400 acres of farm land.
By 1949 the University had sold all the land except for the park. It was leased to Fresno County, and in 1962 the mansion was leased to the Fresno City and County Historical Society as a museum.
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