Oakhurst, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakhurst
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Location in Madera County and the state of California
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 Oakhurst, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Madera |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.46 sq mi (86.7 km2) |
| • Land | 33.45 sq mi (86.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) 0.02% |
| Elevation | 2,274 ft (693 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,945 |
| • Density | 177.7/sq mi (68.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
93644
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| Area code(s) | 559 |
| FIPS code | 06-52764 |
| GNIS feature ID | 277565 |
Oakhurst (once called Fresno Flats) is a special kind of community in Madera County, California. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a community that looks like a town but isn't officially governed by its own city government.
Oakhurst is about 14 miles (23 km) south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. It sits in the lower hills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at an elevation of 2,274 ft (693 m). Oakhurst is where two important roads meet: Highway 41 and Highway 49. This location also marks the southern end of California's famous Gold Country.
The area started as a ranching community called Fresno Flats in 1858. It later became important for cutting down trees (timber industry) and then for tourism. In 1912, the town's name was changed to Oakhurst. This happened after a local stagecoach robbery, when a resident secretly asked for the name change.
Long ago, Oakhurst was a meeting place for Native American tribes like the Miwok, Yokut, and Mono. However, a law in 1850 caused many Native Americans to be moved from their lands. This led to a conflict called the Mariposa War, which had its first battle near Oakhurst.
From 1981 to 1999, Oakhurst was home to Sierra On-Line. This company was a leader in making computer games. They created the first 3D adventure game and one of the first online gaming networks.
Contents
Geography and Location
Oakhurst is located about 3 miles (5 km) south-southwest of Yosemite Forks. It is found along the Fresno River and is 2,274 feet (693 m) above sea level.
The town is surrounded by mountains in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Oakhurst is a key meeting point because of its location. The Fresno River is to its west and north. To the south, roads lead to the San Joaquin Valley. To the east, paths go towards the higher parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Because of its central spot, Oakhurst was historically a vital meeting place for Native American tribes. Today, it still connects mountain routes in all four directions. Oakhurst is at the southern end of California's Gold Country, on Highway 49. It also links the San Joaquin Valley and the Yosemite Valley using Highway 41.
Nearby communities include Ahwahnee, Coarsegold, and Bass Lake. The total area of Oakhurst is about 33.5 square miles (87 km2), with only a tiny part being water.
History of Oakhurst
Native People in the Area
Before the California Gold Rush, Oakhurst was a common meeting place for the Miwoks, Yokuts, and Monos tribes.
After 1850, a law called the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians was passed. This law caused many Native Californians to be moved from their traditional lands by white settlers. This led to the Mariposa War. The first battle of this war happened near Oakhurst on January 11, 1851. By June 1851, most Native Americans in the area were moved to the Fresno River Farm Reservation. This opened the land for the first permanent white settlers.
The Early Days of Fresno Flats
Oakhurst began in 1858 and was first called "Fresno Flats." The name "Fresno" comes from a Spanish word for ash trees. "Flats" was a common term for a flat mountain meadow.
Unlike many towns nearby, Fresno Flats was not started because gold was found. John Robert Nichols, a rancher, was likely the first Anglo settler in 1858. Other settlers joined him, raising animals and planting fruit trees. This helped the area grow. The first Chinese family settled by a creek that flows into the Fresno River. This creek is still called China Creek today.
Fresno Flats got its first post office in 1873. The next year, a company started building a log flume by the Fresno River. This helped the local timber industry grow. By 1876, a road from Madera to Yosemite was finished. This made tourism the main focus of the area.
Fresno Flats became an important stop on the road to Wawona. By 1884, it had hotels, stores, a blacksmith, a skating rink, a dancehall, and saloons. The first school, made of logs, was built in 1871. By 1884, it had about 27 students and one teacher.
Changing the Town's Name
In 1912, Fresno Flats changed its name to Oakhurst. This happened after a resident secretly asked for the change. They were worried that a local stagecoach robbery had ruined the town's good name forever. The change was approved by an Act of Congress, which surprised most people in town.
The Highway Era and Tourism
Oakhurst faced challenges when the mining industry declined and stagecoach travel to Yosemite ended. The Madera Sugar Pine Company also closed in 1931. A new road, the All-Year Highway, opened in 1926. This road sent Yosemite traffic through Merced, which meant fewer visitors came through Oakhurst.
However, a new highway route to Yosemite was built in the 1930s. This was the Fresno-Yosemite road, now known as California State Route 41. This new route made the trip from Fresno to Yosemite Valley 35 miles shorter.
Today, over 1.2 million people visit Yosemite National Park through its south gate each year. Most of them pass through Oakhurst on Highway 41. Tourism is very important for Oakhurst, especially in the summer. During this time, Highway 41 is busy, hotels are full, and many jobs are created for visitors. These jobs include lodging, dining, shopping, and transportation.
Sierra On-Line: A Game Changer
The famous computer game company Sierra On-Line was located in Oakhurst from 1981 to 1999. This company made many firsts in the gaming world. They created the first 3D adventure game called King's Quest in 1984. They also launched one of the first online gaming networks, The Sierra Network, in 1989.
Community Life
Population and People
Oakhurst has grown a lot over the years. In 2000, about 2,868 people lived there. By 2020, the population had more than doubled to 5,945 people. The community is diverse, with people of different ages and backgrounds. In 2020, about 18% of the population was under 18, and about 25% was 65 or older. Most residents are White, and about 12% are Hispanic or Latino.
Many people in Oakhurst own their homes. In 2020, about 80% of homes were owner-occupied. Most households have computers and internet access, showing that technology is widely used. Education levels are also high, with many residents having a high school diploma or a college degree.
The growth of short-term rentals, like those on Airbnb, has changed the housing market. More property owners are renting out their homes for short periods. This means fewer homes are available for long-term rentals, which can make rent prices go up for residents.
Education in Oakhurst
Oakhurst is home to Yosemite High School. This school is part of the Yosemite Unified School District, which has its main office in Oakhurst. Many elementary schools in eastern Madera County send their students to Yosemite High School.
Oakhurst also has the Oakhurst Community College Center. This college offers two-year degrees and general education classes. Students can transfer these credits to a four-year university. The college was founded in the 1980s. It is located on Road 426 off Highway 41, near the local Madera County Library. There are plans to move the college to a new, larger site along Highway 49.
Fun Things to See and Do
The Talking Bear
The Talking Bear is a famous local landmark and a fun roadside attraction. It's a large fiberglass grizzly bear statue located where Highway 41 and Road 426 meet. The bear was put there in 1965. Visitors can press a button to hear a recorded message about the California Grizzly Bear.
Historic Buildings to Explore
The Little Church on the Hill was built in 1894. It was moved to its current spot in Oakhill Cemetery in 1957. This church was made from sugar pine wood from local mills. It was the first place of worship in Fresno Flats and served all faiths for over 50 years. The church and cemetery were named a California Point of Historical Interest in 1994.
You can see many original pioneer buildings at the Fresno Flats Historical Village and Park. These include the 1869 Taylor Log House, where Boot Taylor, one of the first Sierra National Forest rangers, grew up. There's also the two-story Laramore-Layman House, built in the 1870s, the Raymond Jail from 1890, and several old one-room schoolhouses.
Sierra Mountaineer Days
Sierra Mountaineer Days was an annual festival that started in 1964. At its peak, it attracted over 10,000 visitors each year. This three-day event included a parade, barbecue, rodeo, and a beauty pageant. It celebrated the region's history, focusing on the life of 19th-century miners and the importance of the logging industry.
In the late 1990s, the festival was brought back and renamed Mountain Heritage Day. It is now held at Fresno Flats Historic Village. This modern event continues to honor the area's special culture and history.
Getting Around Oakhurst
Transportation Options
Highway 41 connects Oakhurst to Fresno and Yosemite. Highway 49 starts in Oakhurst at Highway 41 and connects to Mariposa.
Oakhurst is also served by the YARTS bus route (Highway 41 line), which travels between Fresno and Yosemite. The Madera County Connection bus system also serves Oakhurst, with routes to Madera and Bass Lake.
Notable People from Oakhurst
- Bill Davis, a creative director
- Peter Ledger, an artist
- Ted Lilly, a MLB pitcher who went to Yosemite High School in Oakhurst
- Lori Martin, an actress
- From Indian Lakes, an indie rock band
Images for kids
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The Little Church on the Hill at Oakhill Cemetery
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The 1890 pioneer jail at Fresno Flats Historical Village was relocated from nearby Raymond.
See also
In Spanish: Oakhurst (California) para niños
