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DAVIS HISTORY

Who is credited with naming Davisville

City historic materials credit early postmaster William Dresbach with naming the town Davisville after rancher Jerome C. Davis.

The Davis name came from the Davis ranch, but one early resident is specifically credited with applying it to the town. City historic-tour material identifies William Dresbach, Davisville’s first postmaster, as the person credited with naming the settlement after rancher Jerome C. Davis.

Early DavisvilleWilliam Dresbach serves as an early postmaster and prominent businessman.
Town-naming eraCity historic sources credit him with naming the settlement for Jerome C. Davis.
Period1860s–1870s
EvidenceDocumented
Last checked2026-08-18
SourceCity of Davis — Historic Pedestrian and Bike Tour
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Why Davis was once called DavisvilleThe railroad settlement that grew here in 1868 was known as Davisville, a name tied to rancher Jerome C. Davis and the Davis ranch.Jerome and Mary Davis and the ranch behind the city nameJerome and Mary Davis owned a ranch that once covered roughly 12,000 acres; the city’s name derives from that ranch.Davis public art mapThe City publishes public-art resources and a pocket map organized by area, with public art listings plus bike paths, parks and art institutions.Follies2025 student-designed gathering structures celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Davis Farmers Market. Installations include downtown locations near Hunt-Boyer and the Amtrak station.Fiat LuxNicole Beck’s 2024 stainless-steel and dichroic-glass work honoring the life of Karim Abou Najm.Balance BeamCedric Wentworth’s steel-and-bronze sculpture, now installed in front of Veterans Memorial Theatre in Community Park.