Millerton, Madera County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Millerton
Rootville
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Former settlement
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Historic photograph showing Millerton settlement in 1870. View from right bank of the San Joaquin River.
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Madera County |
Millerton was an old town located by the San Joaquin River in California. It was the very first county seat (the main government town) for Fresno County. People lived in Millerton from around 1853 to the 1880s. Today, the area where the town once stood is covered by the waters of Millerton Lake.
Contents
The Story of Millerton
Gold Rush Days: A Mining Town Begins
During the exciting time of the California Gold Rush, many gold miners explored the San Joaquin River. Around 1851, a miner named Cassady started a gold mining operation. This spot became known as Cassady's Bar. Sadly, Cassady was killed by a local tribe.
Even with some dangers, more miners kept coming to the San Joaquin River. A small town called Rootville grew up on the south side of the river. This happened because of all the gold mining and animal trapping. The town was on the Stockton - Los Angeles Road, which meant people could travel there by stagecoach or freight wagon. To cross the river, people used McCray's Ferry.
A permanent Army fort, named Fort Miller, was built about a mile upriver. Because of the fort's protection, Rootville was renamed Millerton and continued to grow. The town became busy with gold mining. It soon had a hotel, stables for horses, shops, and places for fun like gambling halls and saloons.
Millerton Becomes the County Seat
Millerton was chosen as the first county seat for Fresno County when the county was created in 1856. Back then, Fresno County was much bigger than it is today. It included its current area, all of what is now Madera County, and parts of other counties like San Benito, Tulare, Kings, Inyo, and Mono counties. The first county leaders were elected in 1856.
In 1857, the county built its first jail. But it wasn't very strong, and a prisoner easily escaped! County business was often done in a relaxed way, with leaders sometimes taking breaks to meet at a saloon.
Rebuilding After the Great Flood
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The Great Flood of 1862 caused a lot of damage to Millerton and many other towns. The town was rebuilt, but it was still in an area prone to flooding. In 1867, a new courthouse and jail were built on higher ground, away from the flood danger. This new building was made from strong granite stones. These stones were brought from a quarry nearby using oxen. The building had two stories and included a courtroom, a jail, and offices for important county officials like the sheriff. Other important buildings in town were Ira McCray's Oak Hotel and George Greierson's General Merchandise Store.
The Town's Decline and Disappearance
Millerton began to decline after a big flood on Christmas Eve in 1867. The San Joaquin River overflowed and covered the town. Women and children found safety in the courthouse, and thankfully, no one lost their life. However, three out of every four buildings were washed away, and many farm animals and pets died.
Some people tried to rebuild their homes, but most residents decided to move away. A newspaper called the Weekly Expositor started in Millerton in 1870. In July 1870, a fire destroyed the Henry Hotel in Millerton.
In 1872, the Central Pacific Railroad built a new train station for its Southern Pacific line. This station was near a farm that later became the city of Fresno. Many Millerton residents, wanting the convenience of the railroad and worried about more floods, moved to this new community. The Expositor newspaper also moved its office.
Just two years later, in 1874, people in the county voted to move the county seat from Millerton to Fresno. Fresno received the most votes, and Millerton was eventually abandoned.
When the Friant Dam was finished in 1944, the area where Millerton once stood was flooded by the waters of Millerton Lake. During very dry years, when the lake's water level drops, you can sometimes still see the old ruins of the original county seat.
The old granite Millerton courthouse was rebuilt on higher ground in 1965. This was done with money raised by a local committee and funds from the California government. The reconstructed Millerton Courthouse now stands at Mariners Point, right by Millerton Lake.
