M. Theo Kearney

Francis Eisen's first raisin crop came by accident, after a heat wave left his Muscat grapes dried on the vine in 1877.

Kearney dreamed of establishing a French-style chateau at his Fruit Vale Estate west of Fresno.

M. Theo Kearney died a bachelor with no heirs, and left his estate to the University of California.

Kearney helped jumpstart Fresno's development with the agricultural colony system. He was a raisin industry pioneer and left his considerable estate, including mansion and private park to the University of California.