Julia Harrison Micke221 W Pine Street

Julia Harrison Micke came to Lodi with her husband William G. Micke in 1908. Early in their marriage they raised Tokay grapes on the Race Track Ranch, the former site of dog- and horse-racing, at Cherokee Lane and Lodi Avenue.They soon bought 465 acres along Armstrong Road, most of which was planted with Tokay vines. The Mickes encouraged Lodi’s American Legion to host a large annual picnic on their remaining oak-filled acres, which were named Pixley’s Grove. In 1938 they donated the land to the County of San Joaquin.The childless Mickes also used their wealth to help Lodi’s schools, earning Julia the nickname “Lodi’s mother.” After her death in 1952 Julia’s husband built and donated a swimming pool, event center, and the Micke Grove Zoo in her honor. Julia Harrison Micke is commemorated with her husband as a life-sized bronze statue at the Micke Grove Zoo.