Knowles, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Knowles
|
|
|---|---|
 Knowles
Location in California
Knowles
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Madera County |
| Elevation | 928 ft (283 m) |
Knowles is a small, quiet place in Madera County, California. It's not a big city or town, but what's called an "unincorporated community." This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. It's located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) east of a town called Raymond, and it sits quite high up, at 928 feet (283 meters) above sea level.
Contents
The Story of Knowles
How Knowles Got Its Name
Knowles got its name from a man named F. E. Knowles. He owned a big granite quarry in the area. A post office even opened here in 1902, serving the community until 1955. Before it was called Knowles, this spot was known as "Dusy's Rock Pile."
A Busy Granite Town
In the early 1900s, Knowles was a very busy place. It was a thriving community because of its granite quarry. Granite is a strong, beautiful stone used for buildings and monuments. Back then, Knowles had a hotel where people could stay, saloons (which were like restaurants or pubs), and even a stop for the railroad. This meant goods and people could easily travel to and from Knowles.
What Happened to Knowles?
Over time, things changed for Knowles. By 1963, the once-busy town was described as a "ghost community." This means most people had left, and many buildings were empty or gone. Today, a granite quarry still operates at the site, but not much else remains of the old town. It's a quiet reminder of a time when granite mining was a big deal in California.
