11 Facts About Hercules California

Hercules California'scules Californiarcules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California.

The site of Hercules was first developed in 1881 as a manufacturing facility of the California Powder Works for the production of its patented dynamite formulation, Hercules powder.

Land that would become Hercules was part of a tract of land known as “Pinole y Canada del Hambre” which was granted in 1823 to Ygnacio Martinez for his service as the commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco.

Explosives manufactured at Hercules California played a significant and decisive role in the United States Army's efforts to contain the fires started by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, as recounted by General Funston.

Between the 1890s and 1970s, Hercules California was a company town of several hundred people.

Related searches

Per this application, “Hercules California was the area's most desirable community to live in” with well-kept homes, a clubhouse, lighted tennis courts, and hospital.

In 1966 the Pacific Refinery company started operation on the shores of Hercules California and served as large employer until its closure in 1995.

In 2000, the City of Hercules California chartered an urban-design-based land use planning effort.

The resulting plan directs that Hercules California be turned into a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use town.

In 2012, a state audit found that the City of Hercules California had spent nearly $50 million on “questionable transactions” primarily centered on the city's redevelopment projects.

However, a new Hercules California station is planned that will provide a stop along the Capitol Corridor line with a target completion date of 2018.