History
Picturesque Rio Vista was first named Los Brazos del Rio (The Arms of the River) for its proximity to the confluence of the Sacramento River, Steamboat Slough, and Cache Slough. The river was once its reason for being, and the town’s huge wharf welcomed steamers like the New World and Eclipse that moved mail, freight, and passengers between Sacramento and San Francisco. The same river rose up to destroy the town after a massive flood in 1862. Although many decamped, a few determined survivors stayed on after the disaster and managed to secure a safer site for “New” Rio Vista, reborn as a thriving agricultural community. In the same spirit, Rio Vista incorporated as a city in December 1893, just 17 months after a fire burned most of its downtown.
This is a brief summary. To read more details about the rich history of Rio Vista, see Images of America – Rio Vista written by Philip Pezzaglia.