Preface / Introduction / Overview

The mission of StaniStory (that’s a mash-up of the words “Stanislaus” and “history”) is to instill in students an appreciation of Stanislaus County's history and to help readers identify connections from their own lives to their larger community. As a resident of Stanislaus County, you are part of its storied local history. As you learn more about the area and its history, you may realize the different ways you fit in. You can also think about what kind of future impact you want to have here. Stanislaus County is an extraordinary place with a fascinating history. The area has been inhabited by plants and animals for about two million years. Indigenous Americans have lived on the land which is now Stanislaus County and its surrounding areas for more than 10,000 years. For the past 200 years, the primary use of this land has been for agriculture. More than 550,000 people live here today. The county seat is Modesto. A downloadable version of the book is available for free at StaniStory.org. Hardcover and softcover copies of the book can be ordered through the McHenry Museum & Historical Society.