A railroad typo turned a town named after a train station into Lard, California.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Originally intended to be named Cowell Station after its founder, this Central Valley community settled for a misspelled name instead. Today, the city of Manteca has evolved from a quiet agricultural stop into a bustling commuter hub, tripling its population since 1980 as families seek more affordable housing options.

Established in 1861 by Joshua Cowell, the area was initially inhabited by the Yokuts. When the Central Pacific Railroad laid tracks through the region in 1873, residents attempted to name their new station Cowell Station. However, a station by that name already existed near Tracy, forcing the community to choose a new identifier. They settled on Monteca, but a railroad clerical error resulted in the name Manteca—the Spanish word for lard—which eventually became the official name of the town.

For much of its history, Manteca remained a small agricultural outpost. As recently as the 1970s, it served as little more than a junction between Interstate 5 and State Route 99. The city's character shifted dramatically as rising housing costs in the San Francisco Bay Area pushed commuters eastward. The construction of the State Route 120 bypass accelerated this growth, transforming the town into a popular residential choice. By the 2020 Census, the city’s population had reached 83,498, more than triple its 1980 figure.

Today, Manteca balances its rapid suburban expansion with local traditions. It hosts the Not Forgotten Memorial Day Event, which draws over 20,000 attendees as the largest veteran commemoration on the West Coast. While it has historically leaned Republican in presidential elections, the city has seen shifting political tides, with Joe Biden carrying the city in 2020 before Donald Trump won it in 2024. The city continues to develop, with new housing replacing former farmland to the north and southeast, supported by infrastructure projects like the planned expansion of the Altamont Corridor Express rail service.

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