The small historic town of Tres Pinos is located approximately four miles south of Hollister along Airline Highway (SR25). It was founded in the early 1870s with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad. The area’s farmers hauled their crops, mainly grain, in large wagons to have the railroad transport it to their final destinations. The local ranchers drove their cattle from miles around for shipment via the train. Quicksilver, silver and lime was also transported by the train along with passengers headed to the city.
Due to a fire started by a gas stove exploding, much of the town was destroyed but no one was hurt. Those raised in the area remember a town with a distinctive flavor of the old west. There were horse races down the center of the main street, trick riding events and May Day parades. There were even bullfights and the train would bring attendees from as far away as San Francisco for these special events!
Nowadays the town has a few businesses & restaurants, a gas station (last one for over 50 miles!) with several homes for the approximately 500 residents. There is a small Catholic church built in 1892 still active today and across from the church is an open field where skydivers from Hollister airport frequently land and hang gliders launch.
Due to a fire started by a gas stove exploding, much of the town was destroyed but no one was hurt. Those raised in the area remember a town with a distinctive flavor of the old west. There were horse races down the center of the main street, trick riding events and May Day parades. There were even bullfights and the train would bring attendees from as far away as San Francisco for these special events!
Nowadays the town has a few businesses & restaurants, a gas station (last one for over 50 miles!) with several homes for the approximately 500 residents. There is a small Catholic church built in 1892 still active today and across from the church is an open field where skydivers from Hollister airport frequently land and hang gliders launch.
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