The first settlement in the Dixon area was founded in 1852 by Elijah S. Silvey, whose search for gold landed him in these parts during the California gold rush. Silvey realized an easier way to make his fortune than digging and panning was to open an inn and saloon. This "half-way house" was located along a well traveled stage coach route to the gold fields of Sacramento, which became famous among area miners. By 1865 the community of Silveyville boasted a general store, post office, a blacksmith and had a population of 150.

The Vaca Valley railroad was about to inaugurate its new line in Solano County in 1870. However, the residents of Silveyville were not happy when they found out that the tracks would not cross into their town. The tracks did cross the land of Thomas Dickson. Dickson was a local minister, school teacher and a farmer. In order to grow, the residents of Silveyville would have to move closer to the tracks. With Dickson in charge of the re-location, pioneers started what is now known as the Downtown Dixon area. Peter Timm, a cabinetmaker who had recently arrived from Schleswig- Holstein, Denmark, moved the buildings on large flat cars with wooden rollers, like telephone poles to the railroad tracks.

Peter Timm is the great-grandfather of Dr. Peter Timm, who serves today as a local Dixon veterinarian. One of the first buildings that still stands in Dixon from the 1871 move is the Dixon Methodist Church located at 209 N. Jefferson St.

The California Pacific Railroad tracks were almost finished and a train station was needed. At this time Dickson donated 10 acres of his land for the depot and a city to be named after himself; Dicksonville. The first rail shipment of merchandise arrived in 1872 mistakenly addressed to "Dixon" and that spelling stuck.

In 1874, after nearly a two-year push to have the town named Dicksonville, needless to say the County Recorder filed with the name Dixon on the new maps stating it was "simpler."

The Dixon Chamber of Commerce organized in 1909, and at that time encouraged the May Day celebration to be held on the weekend closest to the First of May. The Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Historic May Fair Parade ever since. But after the summer ends there are still plenty of things to do in Dixon. Dixon is still known for its rich agricultural history.

Yet despite all that's urban about Dixon today this is still a farming community - a place that carries on traditions that transcend generations and invites the starting of new ones. From having the World's Largest Corn Maze to places for creating memories from such simple pleasures as picking pumpkins from a patch or cutting your own Christmas rree at the local Christmas Tree Farm. A beautiful tea room has become one of the hottest destinations for visitors and local residents.

The utmost honor to bestow Dixon is the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. It opened for burials in 2006. Each year a special wreath ceremony takes place on the second Saturday in December.


Dixon District Chamber of Commerce

220 N. Jefferson Street
Dixon, CA 95620
(707) 678-2650
dixonchamber.org

Downtown Dixon Business Association

165 East A St. #A2
Dixon, CA 95620
(707) 678-8400
downtowndixon.com

Dixon May Fair Lamb Town Jess Jones Vineyard Downtown Dixon Dixon Chamber Image Map