Roofer in Rio Vista

The present location of Rio Vista is several miles south of the original settlement. Colonel Nathan H. Davis founded “Brazos del Rio” near the entrance of Cache Slough at the Sacramento River, on the Rancho Los Ulpinos Mexican land grant, in 1858. The settlement was renamed “Rio Vista” before a flood in 1862 that resulted in the town moving to its present location on higher ground. The city’s name combines the Spanish words for “river” and “view.” Post authorities established office in 1858. The community was officially incorporated as Rio Vista on December 30, 1893. The newspaper of record there is the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal, established in 1890.

From 1911 through 1992 Rio Vista was home to the . The facility was initially established as a base for river control activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the 1950s it was used by the U.S. Army Transportation Corps to store and maintain harbor craft, and during the 1960s and 1970s it was used to prepare amphibious vehicles for transportation to Vietnam and to train troops in their use. In 1980 it was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve and in 1992 it was closed due to a BRAC decision. The town also hosts a United States Coast Guard station, established in 1963.

Rio Vista was visited by a lost humpback whale in 1985, despite being 60 miles (100 kilometers) upriver from the Pacific Ocean. The young whale, nicknamed “Humphrey”, attracted throngs of curiosity seekers before he was eventually guided back to sea by rescuers. Again in May 2007, humpbacks were sighted in Rio Vista. “Delta” and “Dawn,” mother and calf, stopped at least twice in the river near the town.