Napa County

Native Americans have lived in the San Francisco Bay area for over 10,000 years. Rather than a single nation, they lived in many independent tribes and spoke different languages. The various tribes are generally referred to as one group called the Ohlone or Costanoan. In 1769, Spain expanded their territory north of Mexico and established military garrisons (Presidios), Franciscan missions (Missions), and civil settlements (Pueblos). They reached the San Francisco Bay area in 1776. Mission San Rafael Arcángel was established in 1817. In 1821, Mexico was declared an independent state. In 1846, the United States took possession of Northern California during the Mexican-American war and established a military territory. California was admitted to the United States on September 9, 1850.

Napa County was one of the original counties when California was admitted to the United States in 1850. The boundaries of Napa County were modified in 1852 and 1855. In 1861, Lake County was created from a northern portion of Napa County, and the boundary line between Napa and Lake counties were modified in 1864, 1868, and 1872. The county seat is the city of Napa.

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