125th Anniversary

Some call it five score and 25. Others refer to it a quasquicentennial. Regardless of the terminology, Turlock Irrigation District is proud to celebrate its 125th Anniversary on June 6, 2012.

Back in 1887, frustrated by the lack of reliable river water but optimistic about future farming opportunities, the people of the region formed TID in the hope of bringing prosperity to a dry land nestled between the Tuolumne, Merced and San Joaquin rivers. It was a lofty goal, but one worthy of pursuit. Some said greening this land couldn’t be done. Others outright opposed irrigation.

One hundred and twenty five years later, it’s tough to imagine where this region would be without the perseverance, sacrifice and hard work of those who formed TID. They wanted a better life. They didn’t give up on their dream. They pressed on at all costs. And now the dream of irrigation continues to be a reality for the thousands of farmers who receive water from TID – water that helps produce crops that are the lifeblood of our region. Add the generation and distribution of public power beginning in 1923 and what exists is a pair of services – water and power – that have benefitted the region many times over.