Two miles south of this spot, Empire City stood on the south bank of the river. Founded in 1850 by John C. Marvin, the town was the head of navigation on the Tuolumne River and served as a military supply depot for Forts Miller and Tahone. On October 21, 1854, it was elected the second Stanislaus County seat. The town had three stores, one three story hotel, two boarding houses, a blacksmith shop, a church, and a school house. Vessels called Petite Steamers, including the Tulare, Enterprise, Empire City, and the Hartlett, brought passengers and supplies. It was also a major shipping point for the area's extensive grain crops. The town was destroyed by flood in 1861-62.