In 1891, Marcus Pollasky formed a company to build a railroad from the junction of Southern Pacific Co. tracks in Fresno to the Sierra, intending eventually to cross the mountains and open the San Joaquin Valley to direct traffic with the East. The line was built as far as Hamptonville, now known as Friant, and was later taken over by the Southern Pacific. To secure right-of-way for the railroad, Pollasky promised Clovis Cole a depot in exchange for right-of-way, and Cole also donated land for the townsite. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad was therefore directly responsible for the founding of the City of Clovis.