[5][6] The families came from Moineşti in Moldavia and a central merit in organising the move belongs to Moses Gaster, scholar and early Zionist.

[4] In 1883, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild became the patron of the Moshava and drew up plans for its residential layout and agricultural economy.

Zikhron was one of the first Jewish agricultural towns to come under the wing of the Baron (along with Rishon LeZion and Rosh Pinna), who renamed it in memory of his father, James (Ya'akov) Mayer de Rothschild.

[2][4] To accomplish his first objective, Baron de Rothschild brought in planners who designed and allotted housing lots along the main road for the use of Moshava farmers.

Each lot included a house facing the street, a long interior courtyard and a rear building for storing agricultural implements.

[8] Sparing no expense to build the edifice, the synagogue features a majestic ark made of white marble.

Today, the winery remains in action, as do the huge wine cellars that were carved into the mountain over a century ago.

The effort to coordinate the development of the Yishuv did however bear fruit in establishing the trade union of teachers, which joined Histadrut in 1950 and stays active to this day.

[12] Zikhron Ya'akov came to fame during World War I for the establishment of the Nili spy ring by Sarah Aaronsohn, together with her brothers, Aaron (a noted botanist) and Alex, and their friend Avshalom Feinberg.

[15] Many residents continue to engage in agriculture, although upscale private homes have been built by families attracted to the scenic landscape.

The town draws many tourists attracted to its picturesque setting and historic city center whose restored main street of landmark buildings, called Derekh HaYayin ("Path of the Wine"), houses coffeehouses and boutique shops selling locally-made crafts, jewellery, and antiques, especially on the town's famous "Midrachov" (Rechov haMeyasdim — Founders Street).