There likely wouldn't be a Fullerton if the railroad hadn't agreed to stop there. The township was founded in 1887. The Santa Fe Railway arrived as promised, one year later. Ginny King, who wrote "The Street Where You Live: Why Did They Name It...?" says city fathers named streets in its honor.

"Santa Fe Avenue for the Santa Fe Railroad. Truslow Avenue was the surname of the first general passenger agent for the Santa Fe Railway."

In the early days, the railroad was a mixed blessing. The construction crews for the tracks were a bit wild, and gunfights, saloons, and brothels were common in what was then Fullerton Township. The city is still a busy railroad town. More than 50 Amtrak and Metrolink trains stop at the Santa Fe Depot every day.

(Airdate: 9/20/2008)