Yam, California facts for kids

Yam was once a small settlement, or a tiny community, located in Merced County, California. It was situated about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) southeast of a town called Winton. Today, Yam is no longer an active community.

Why Was It Called Yam?

The name "Yam" might sound a bit unusual for a place! It actually came from the many yam plants that were grown in the area. Yams are starchy root vegetables, a bit like sweet potatoes, and they were a common crop there.

Yam's Short-Lived Post Office

Even though Yam was a small place, it had its own post office for a short time. This post office opened in 1911. However, it only stayed open for about a year. In 1912, the mail service for the area was moved to the nearby town of Winton. This often happened when smaller communities didn't grow as much as expected, or when a larger town nearby could handle the mail better.