London native James V. Sims is credited with the founding of Courtland in 1870. The town’s large wharf was important to fruit shipments from nearby pear ranches, and after 1900 the town also benefited from the asparagus boom. Early photographs show a bustling community complete with social halls, grocery stores, a bank, a service station and the iconic Courtland Market, one of the most recognized buildings in town.

Though small, Courtland’s Chinatown served a large Chinese population, many living on surrounding farms.  Today, Courtland’s city center includes Chinese architecture and an outdoor museum featuring farming equipment from  Chan’s Diversified Farms.