History of Mountain View, California

The history of Mountain View is shaped by many different cultures and eras. From the native Ohlone peoples who have lived here for millennia, to the Mexican-era Castro family who owned the vast Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas, to the Gold Rush-era pioneers who founded the town near a stagecoach stop on El Camino Real, to the waves of immigrants from around the globe who created the bountiful agricultural landscape of the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” and then, the technological innovations of the Silicon Valley. This section of our website highlights just some of the many milestones and stories that make up Mountain View’s rich history. To learn more, we recommend the listed books.