city, Stanislaus county, central California, U.S. It lies in the San Joaquin Valley, 40 miles (65 km) southeast of Stockton. It was founded in 1871 by John Mitchell, a grain farmer. After the Central Pacific Railroad was extended through the valley in the 1870s, Turlock (from the Irish turlough, meaning “dry lake”) became a shipping point for wheat. In 1901 the Turlock Irrigation District transformed the dry farming of the valley into diversified farming (fruit growing, poultry raising, dairying). Food processing is supplemented by warehousing and light manufacturing. California State University, Stanislaus (1957), is in the city. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is to the east, and the city is a gateway to several recreational and historic sites in California's Mother Lode Country. Inc. 1908. Pop. (1990) 42,198; (2000) 55,810.