Sunol was named in honor of Antonio Maria Sunol, a merchant, naval man, and cattle baron who acquired a Spanish / Mexican land grant in 1840. Along with vast ranching and fertile farmlands, coal and gold were found in the Sunol area in the 1870s. With the arrival of the railroad in 1869, Sunol became a typical western cattle town and a favorite hangout for bandits. It was rumored that when Joaquin Murrieta stayed here, his horse stood on a bed of charcoal to keep its hooves warm for a quick getaway.