Pinedale, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pinedale
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Pinedale
Location in California
Pinedale
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Fresno County |
| City | Fresno |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
Pinedale is a community in Fresno County, California. It sits at an elevation of 348 feet (106 meters) above sea level. Pinedale was once a small, separate community. It was located about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-northwest of Clovis. Now, the city of Fresno has grown around it. Pinedale is now part of Fresno. Millerton Lake State Recreational Area is to its northeast. The ZIP Code for Pinedale is 93650. It is in the 559 area code. The first post office in Pinedale opened in 1923.
Contents
Pinedale's Role in World War II History
Pinedale was once the site of a special camp. This camp was one of many temporary places. They were called 'assembly centers'. These centers were built across the western United States. They were the first step in holding many Japanese Americans during World War II.
Why Were These Camps Built?
On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an order. It was called Executive Order 9066. This order led to about 97,785 Californians of Japanese background being held. Thirteen temporary camps were quickly built. They were at racetracks, fairgrounds, and old work camps in California. These places were meant to hold Japanese Americans for a short time. This was until larger, more permanent camps could be built. Famous permanent camps included Manzanar and Tule Lake in California.
What Was Camp Pinedale Like?
Starting on March 30, 1942, all Americans and legal residents of Japanese background in California were told to report for detention. The camp in Pinedale was known as "Camp Pinedale". It was located about six miles (10 km) north of downtown Fresno. It was on empty land near homes for mill workers. This area is now inside Fresno city limits. It is north of Herndon Avenue and about one mile (1.6 km) west of Blackstone Avenue.
The Army took over the site on March 24, 1942. There were 21 warehouses and 11 other buildings there. They had been used to store cotton, sugar, and machines. From May 7 to July 23, 1942, Camp Pinedale housed 4,823 people. At most, 4,792 people were there at one time. These people came from Sacramento and El Dorado counties in California. Some also came from Oregon and Washington states.
Ten blocks of barracks were built for the people being held. Each block had 26 buildings. A separate block was built for the military police and camp leaders. The 840th Army Air Forces Specialized Depot was also at the camp.
Remembering the Past
Today, there is a historical marker in Pinedale. It is just east of Blackstone Avenue. It marks the spot where the railroad stop was. This is where Japanese Americans arrived in Fresno. The old train tracks are gone now. A bike trail is in their place. The granite marker is next to the trail. It is below the Freeway 41 overpass on Nees Avenue. Some of the original buildings from that time are still standing. A memorial is also planned to honor this history.
Education in Pinedale
The Fresno County Public Library runs the Pinedale Branch Library. This library serves the community.
The Clovis Unified School District provides education for the Pinedale area. Several schools are located here. These include Pinedale Elementary School, Nelson Elementary School, Kastner Intermediate School, and Clovis West High School.
