The History of Reedley's Railroads represents what the society hopes will be the first series of new publications on some aspect or period of the community's development. There is perhaps no better place to begin such a series than with a history of the railroads in Reedley. There would not have been a Reedley without the railroad. In 1888 the Southern Pacific Railroad laid its tracks through the area and established a depot. The railroad then laid out a town and gave it a name, Reedley. This was a pattern repeated throughout the San Joaquin Valley. During this era, the railroad was vital to a valley town's existence.