The history of these local government entities in the United States dates back to the 18th century with the establishment of park districts.
In the 19th century, special districts expanded to include toll roads and irrigation districts, with California’s first special district, the Turlock Irrigation District, formed in 1887. Frustrated by the lack of reliable river water but optimistic about future farming opportunities, the people in the region established the district in hopes of bringing prosperity to a dry land. This story of a community coming together to meet a specific need with local resources, governed by a local board, would become the model for the more than 2,000 special districts that have since formed in the State of California.
As the country’s population boomed in the post-World War II era, communities formed special districts to meet the need for more hospitals and health care, water and wastewater, fire protection, and other community enrichment services. Special districts provided communities with a nimble tool that could efficiently and effectively meet their needs.
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