South Modesto

South Modesto consists of areas of Modesto, both city and county, that lie south of the Tuolumne River. Often confused as part of neighboring Ceres, the majority of it (except the Tuolumne and Bystrom areas) is west of Highway 99. The majority of south Modesto residents are of Mexican descent, giving the main strip, Crows Landing Road, its nicknames of "Little Mexico" and "Little TJ." It is known for its high crime, unemployment, and poverty. Some neighborhoods in south Modesto have no sidewalks, sewers, street lights, or parks.

In the Beginning

In 1917, the city of Modesto built a two lane bridge connecting the city on the north bank to the then undeveloped south bank of the Tuolomne River. This was done to create a road link to areas south of the river (particularly Ceres) and for development south of the river.

In 1918, the Modesto Tallow Company opened along a then-lonely Crows Landing Road. The tallow company processed dead animal carcasses and fleshy leftovers (meats, fats, bones) from area restaurants and butchers to make tallow, an important ingredient in animal feed, tooth paste, soap, and glue to name a few tallow related products.