This peaceful community loved by thousands of locals was once, in part, a Mexican land grant called New Helvetia, given to John Sutter. With the 1852 arrival of homesteader (and area namesake) William Curtis, who managed a 200-acre farm started by his brother, and those drawn by the California gold rush, the area began to develop and expand. In 1887, papers were filed for the Highland Park subdivision—a nod to early flood concerns. Since that time, more than 30 other subdivisions have sprung up between Broadway and Sutterville, along with the Sierra School, which has been nominated for city landmark status. Situated south of today's Broadway, the area that was once a flood plain and then an agricultural area now holds over 2,500 homes and is among the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. Houses here represent various architectural styles, from Victorian to Arts and Crafts and the various 1920s revivals. The neighborhood has an equally interesting mix of residents.
