The first Americans to visit the Central Valley came after 1800. These early settlers of Tulare County were faced with many challenges which included wars with the Indians. The city of Tulare was eventually founded in 1874 by the railroad; however, numerous disasters challenged Tulare early in its history. The town suffered suffered through 3 major fires as well as the departure of the railroad in the 1880s. The town and county of Tulare were saved by the introductionof irrigation, which provided water for the now thriving agricultural industry.