Raymond, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raymond
Wildcat Station (former name)
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 Raymond
Location in California
Raymond
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Madera County |
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| ZIP Code |
93653
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| Area code(s) | 559 |
Raymond is a small, quiet place in Madera County, California. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a town that isn't officially governed by its own local city government.
Raymond is located about 22 miles (35 km) north of Madera. It sits at an elevation of 948 feet (289 meters) above sea level. Fewer than 1,000 people live here. The community is part of the larger Madera–Chowchilla area. Its ZIP Code is 93653, and the phone area code is 559.
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Discovering Raymond's Past
Raymond has an interesting history. It was once called Wildcat Station. The town got its new name, Raymond, in 1886. This happened when the San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad arrived.
How Raymond Got Its Name
There are a few ideas about how Raymond got its name. One idea is that it was named after Israel Ward Raymond. He was a park commissioner who worked to protect Yosemite Valley. Another idea is that it was named for T. Raymond or Walter Raymond. They were part of the Raymond & Whitcomb Travel Association.
Walter Raymond was a businessman from Boston. He founded the famous Raymond Hotel in Pasadena in 1886. His father, Emmons Raymond, helped fund the hotel. Emmons was a major investor in the Santa Fe Railroad. When the town of Raymond was officially opened, people asked Walter Raymond to cut the ribbon. In return, they offered to name the town after him.
The first post office in Raymond opened its doors in 1886.
What Raymond is Known For
Raymond is known for its quarry. A quarry is a place where stone is dug out of the ground. The quarry in Raymond produces a type of stone called sierra white granite. This special stone was used to build the outside of the Oakland California Temple.
Notable People from Raymond
- Thomas Hill (1829-1908) was a famous early California artist. He was known for his beautiful landscape paintings. Thomas Hill passed away in Raymond, California.
