Sunnyvale’s History and Why We’re Proud to Serve the Sunnyvale Community
Long before technology parks, the Tamien band of the Ohlone people lived in what is now Sunnyvale. Spaniards founded Mission Santa Clara de Asís nearby in 1777, and Mexican authorities later granted Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas to Francisco Estrada and Inez Castro. In 1850 Martin Murphy Jr. bought nearly 4,900 acres, built the county’s first wood‑frame house and planted a wheat farm.
Fruit orchards replaced wheat in the 1870s; James Dawson opened the first commercial cannery in 1871. The community renamed itself Sunnyvale in 1901 and incorporated in 1912; after the 1906 earthquake, the Joshua Hendy Iron Works relocated to town, bringing its first heavy industry.
World War II shifted the economy from fruit to aerospace and technology. NACA (later NASA) established research at nearby Moffett Field, orchards were cleared for homes and factories, and Lockheed relocated its headquarters here in 1956.
Today Sunnyvale is a major Silicon Valley hub, home to companies like Yahoo, AMD and Apple. Its parks, excellent schools and Mediterranean climate make it a desirable place to live. Fast Plumbing & Drain is delighted to help keep Sunnyvale’s neighborhoods running smoothly.