History of Rancho Cordova

Original names of the town included Cordova Vineyards and Cordova Village, before it was officially named Rancho Cordova when a post office was established in the community in 1955. In the Gold Rush era of mid 19th century California, certain Placer mining activities took place in the Rancho Cordova environs, some traces of which disturbance are extant. The elevation of the generally level terrain is approximately 118 feet above mean sea level Lone Star Gravel Company and other companies have historically extracted younger gravels at depths of 30 to 40 feet without encountering groundwater, which is characteristically found at about 100 feet.

City Government
The City of Rancho Cordova has a Council-manager form of government with five members elected to the Council, one of whom serves as mayor each year. The Mayor's post is thus simply that of "chief among equals for a time". In 2008, serving as Rancho Cordova's sixth Mayor, is Council Member Linda Budge. The Vice Mayor of Rancho Cordova in 2008 is Dan Skoglund. The three other Council Members are Robert J. McGarvey, Ken Cooley, and David Sander.

County Government
Rancho Cordova is represented by Don Nottoli on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

State Representation
Rancho Cordova is represented in the California State Assembly by Alan Nakanishi, a Republican. The city is represented in the State Senate by Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat, and Dave Cox, a Republican.

Federal Representation
Rancho Cordova is represented in Congress by Doris Matsui, a Democrat, and Dan Lungren, a Republican.