In 1853, Thomas Rickey subdivided land on the stage road from Sacramento and named it Ioneville. Before ’53, miners panned for gold along all creeks in the valley. Historians differ, but most likely “I own it” evolved into Ione. By 1894, the iconic Preston Castle began as a reformatory for youth, housing inmates from San Quentin and Alcatraz. In 1904, a short-line railroad company, Ione & Eastern, constructed eleven miles of track from Ione to Martell. Among Ione’s finest at Ernie Bonham, New York Yankee pitcher, and jazz giant, Dave Brubeck, who attended Ione High School.
Click HERE to visit the Ione City Hall main website.
Click HERE to visit the Ione City Website provided by the Ione Business & Community Association.