Galt, CA Real Estate

Galt is a quiet rural community located in the unincorporated section of Sacramento county. Covering only 5.9 square miles Galt is growing, but its residents can still find some of the beauty of the valley that the original residents, the Miwok Indians, knew to be unspoiled by smog and city traffic.

In the early 1850's, when the Miwok Indians lived and hunted in this fertile valley. Settlers soon arrived and claimed the land. In 1869, large land owner Dr. Obed Harvey was successful in getting the Central Pacific Railroad track near his 120 acre property. Dr. Harvey decided to build a town on his property by having the area surveyed and selling lots. The town was named Galt by successful rancher John McFarland, after a town in Ontario, Canada. McFarland was also a builder who built some of the first brick buildings in Galt. One such building, the original post office built in 1969, is located on the downtown corner of 4th and B streets and is still in use today.

With acres of fertile land Galt quickly became a farming community. Farmers brought their cattle and hogs to the stockyards located south of the station, to be shipped to the east. Sacks of wheat and barley could be seen piled high waiting to be picked up for shipment to the mills. History records show that in one quarter in 1879, 47,377 sacks of wheat were shipped from Galt by rail. People soon moved into Galt to work and live.

Although Galt has grown to a population of 23,000 today, it is still an agriculturally oriented community with a comforting small town feel. Many large ranches and dairies still dot the countryside, and although Galt does not have the bustle and glitter of a large city, it does have beautiful lush land, wildlife and the quiet of untouched countryside.
A rural community rich with history, Galt boasts a weekly newspaper, The Galt Herald, which has been in publication since 1909 and has been owned and operated by the same family since 1959, the Herburgers of Herburger Publications, Inc.

Galt is also home to many civic groups and clubs. The Galt Area Historical Society is very active and has more than 500 members. The Performing Animal Welfare Society is an organization where abandoned or abused performing animals and victims of the exotic animal trade can live in peace and contentment. The Galt Lions Club is part of Lions International and helps the local visually impaired repair their vision.