Chartered in 1990 as a non-profit organization, the Manteca Historical Society, has made great strides in providing a local historical museum of which the entire community can be proud. Support for this endeavor has poured forth in the form of generous contributions of photographs, documents, artifacts, other memorabilia, volunteer work time, and money. More of all these things are still needed, especially the most valuable, Volunteers. A few hours each month can be very rewarding. Regardless of one's age or length of time in the area, Every membership and Every volunteer is important! The society meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Museum. All are invited!

Before the first settlers came, there were few Indians living permanently here because of the extreme summer heat and the scarcity of useful vegetation on what was then known as the "sand plains". As the California Gold Rush subsided, permanent settlers came to the area. The principal products were grain and cattle on the first large land holdings. During this period, this valley settlement was called Cowell Station, named after Joshua Cowell who was later known as the "father of Manteca".