In the late eighteenth century, the Natives of the Livermore-Amador Valley were introduced to the Spanish culture when padres decided the valley would be suitable for grazing livestock and building the Mission San Jose. By this time, Spain had already constructed several missions and presidios throughout California.

After Mexico gained independence, huge land grants in California were offered to Mexican Settlers or rancheros as they were known. Jose Maria Amador received a grant in the valley that bears his name and used Indian workers to produce various goods.

Robert Livermore was an English native who immigrated to California, learned the Spanish language and established a large ranch in the Amador Valley. Livermore constructed the first framed house in the valley using supplies that had been shipped in from the eastern United States. He is buried at the San Jose Mission.

The 1840's saw an influx of American settlers into California who wanted to see their land become part of the United States. William Mendenhall passed through the Amador Valley along side John Fremont on their way to Sonoma. Mendenhall would return to the valley and become a founding father of Livermore.

Gold would be discovered at Sutter's Mill just nine days before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed; ending the Mexican American War. Miners from San Francisco would pass through the valley on their way to the gold fields.

By 1869, the Union Pacific Railroad was complete and the Pacific Express came through the valley. William Mendenhall would donate the land for the depot and other public buildings of Livermore. He named the town in honor of early pioneer Robert Livermore.

Podcast Written by Wes Meiss, Public History Student at the University of West Florida.