This peaceful community loved by thousands of locals was once, in part, a Mexican land grant called New Helvetia, given to John Sutter. With the 1852 arrival of homesteader (and area namesake) William Curtis, who managed a 200-acre farm started by his brother, and those drawn by the California gold rush, the area began to develop and expand. In 1887, papers were filed for the Highland Park subdivision--a nod to early flood concerns. Since that time,...