Native people (The Suisuns), more specifically the tribes of the Wintun and Patwins, first roamed the land in this area alone until the Mexican land grant families laid claim to the land on either side of Rio De Los Putos in 1842, which became the northern border of Silveyville Township in Solano County. In 1852, Elijah S. Silvey built a hotel and stock corral. He lit a red lantern as a beacon to his “Half-way House”, for those with gold fever that traveled this most practical path to the mines from San Francisco to Sacramento at night, as it was dark and barren.

Those seeking fortunes in the “golden waves of grain”, instead of gold mining, helped settle the Village of Silvey, and dry farmed the fertile land and surrounding lands. More pioneer families made the hard journey west on wagon trains or by ship, most of whom were of Scottish, English and German descent to claim 160 acres of land offered by the Homestead Act of 1862. In 1863, Silvey's Plat Map of Silveyville was certified and he was Postmaster. It had a telegraph office, stage coach line, and when it reached its zenith, it had perhaps 150 inhabitants.

In 1868, the California Pacific Railroad completed a route to Sacramento, bypassing the new thriving village by three miles, through the land owned by Thomas Dickson. He gave the railroad the right-of-way and donated 10 acres of land for a depot and other town purposes. W.R. Ferguson, from Maine Prairie, bought an acre of land from Thomas Dickson, built a home, then opened the first store for business on July 7, 1868. Elijah S. Silvey, passed away on October 12, 1868, before he saw his legacy turn into a ghost town. By 1871, almost every building had moved closer to the railroad, absorbed by Dixon, and its post office closed.

Four original pioneers and their families generously donated the initial land for their vision of the newly establishment town: The Map of Mayes Addition to Dicksonville was filed on September 12, 1870 by J.S. Mayes. Peter N. Peters’ Addition to the town of Dixon was recorded on March 21, 1872. The map of Dicksonville was recorded on March 26, 1872 by Thomas Dickson. H.A. Ross’s Addition map to Dicksonville was filed but does not contain a date. The center of town was the intersection of First (Main) Street and A Street, where all 4 Additions connected. All streets were set in a north/south, east/west configuration.

(For more on this in detail, see This Place Has History, The Town Founders)

The bill incorporating the town of Dixon conditionally, became law on April 1, 1878, by the signature of the California Governor, William Irwin. Because the population was under 2000 inhabitants, Dixon still was not considered a city, but they were able to set up their government, take care of sanitation and uphold laws.

A Closer look at Silveyville, Tremont, Batavia and Dixon, all of which were located within Silveyville Township

These were the locations of our pioneer's lands in 1878 and the article from the Dixon Tribune in 1875 describes the locations at that time...

1875/06/01 Dixon Tribune

HOPE FOR THE COUNTRY! Last Monday we gladly accepted the invitation of Senator McCune to accompany him on a tour of inspection of the growing crops West of town, and in the far famed Putah Creek country. Seated behind his fast and spirited team, with excellent roads, we bowled along at a 2:40 gait for several hours, passing the waving wheat fields and beautifully embowered homes of Mayes, Dudley, Ross, Pierce and sundry others whose names we have forgotten, till we reached the ancient and once busy, but now almost deserted village of Silveyville, whose tenantless and crumbling houses, lonely church, and still more lonely churchyard, might well answer for Goldsmith's deserted village. Mrs. Riddle, the owner of a nice house and countless green acres in and around the place, is, if we except the well filled country school hard by, almost the sole tenant of the burg.

From this place our road was a continual triangular affair, first North, then West, then North, and again Westerly for miles,-until we struck the princely estate of the venerable pioneer, J.R. Wolfskill, so noted for its rich soil and the variety and excellence of its fruits, as well as for the whole souled liberality of the venerable pioneer.

Soon after leaving Silveyville, going North, the beautiful home of Mr. Reddick in whose 5,000 acre tract stand many an old time-honored oak that have braved the assaults of time for a thousand years or more. No where else in all that region, for miles around, are one of these brave old oaks to be seen. They stand as monarchs of all the plains. It is just here too that the traveler finds himself entering upon the broad domains of Messrs. McCune & Garnett who own some 5,000 or more acres in a body, of as rich land as can be found in the State. In every direction nothing is to be seen on either hand but fast ripening-wheat and barley fields, if we except here-and there a smoothly mown hay field. This extensive possession of Messrs McCune & Garnett, consists of a half dozen or more farms, purchased by them from time to time, and by them farmed or rented out as a whole. On this princely estate there is a continual line of orange hedge five miles in length, surrounding the estate, and all in a perfect state of cultivation. A part of the land is rented out to J.O. Johnson & Bro. whose 600 acres of Summer fallow on this large ranch at 40 to 50 bushels per acre.

Arriving at the headquarters for this large ranch, we found a small army of harvesters, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc., some hauling in and storing away the hay crop, others running heading machines, and others stacking the newly cut barley, while the blacksmiths and mechanics of all kinds were busy putting the harvest and farm machinery in order for real harvest work. After partaking of a hearty dinner, and inspecting the well stored barns, and live stock, we turned our faces homeward, stopping on the way only at the beautiful home of J.A. Ellis, and reaching home at 5 p.m. thoroughly delighted with our day's wanderings;