Oakhurst | |
|---|---|
 Oakhurst seen from theSierra Vista Scenic Byway  Oakhill Cemetery  State Route 41 Welcome Sign | |
 Location inMadera County and the state ofCalifornia | |
  Oakhurst Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:37°19′41″N119°38′58″W / 37.32806°N 119.64944°W /37.32806; -119.64944[1] | |
| 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 (0.026 km2) 0.02% |
| Elevation | 2,274 ft (693 m) |
| Population (2020)[3] | |
• 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 |
| Area code | 559 |
| FIPS code | 06-52764 |
| GNIS feature ID | 277565 |
Oakhurst (formerlyFresno Flats)[4] is acensus-designated place (CDP) inMadera County, California, United States. It lies in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 14 miles (23 km) south of the southern entrance toYosemite National Park, at the junction ofHighway 41 andHighway 49. Oakhurst is at the southern edge of California’sGold Country and had a population of 5,945 at the2020 United States census.[3]
Founded in 1858 as Fresno Flats, the community developed first as a cattle stop and later as a logging center before becoming a gateway for Yosemite-bound travel. The surrounding region had long been a gathering place for theMiwok,Yokuts, andMono peoples and was the site of early conflicts after California statehood, including the opening battle of theMariposa War. In the late 20th century, Oakhurst gained attention in the computer game industry as the headquarters ofSierra On-Line, publisher of influential graphic adventure titles and creator ofone of the first online gaming networks.[5]
Oakhurst lies along theFresno River, 3 miles (5 km) south-southwest ofYosemite Forks, at an elevation of 2,274 feet (693 m).[1]
Set in the upper foothills of theSierra Nevada, the community is bordered by the Fresno River to the west and north. Roads from Oakhurst extend south to theSan Joaquin Valley, east to Yosemite National Park and the High Sierra, north along State Route 49 through California’sGold Country, and west toward the valley floor.[6] Historically, this crossroads location made Oakhurst a gathering point for Native American groups in the region.
Nearby communities includeAhwahnee,Coarsegold, andBass Lake. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP covers 33.5 square miles (87 km2).[2]
Oakhurst was a common meeting ground for theMiwoks,Yokuts, andMonos[8] before the time of theCalifornia Gold Rush.
Many Native Californians were displaced by white settlers following the enactment of theAct for the Government and Protection of Indians in 1850. This act facilitated the removal and displacement of Native Californian Indians from their traditional lands, and led to theMariposa War, the first battle of which was fought near present-day Oakhurst on January 11, 1851.[9][7] By June 1851, most Native Americans in the region had been relocated to the Fresno River Farm Reservation, opening the region to the first permanent white settlers.
Oakhurst originated in 1858 as Fresno Flats, named for the Spanish word fresno (ash tree) and the flat meadowlands in the area.
Unlike many nearby towns along what is now theGolden Chain Highway, Fresno Flats was not founded as a mining camp.[10] The first recorded settler was rancher John Robert Nichols, who arrived in 1858.[11] Other families followed, raising livestock and planting orchards.
After the California Gold Rush, the first Chinese family settled near a creek feeding into the Fresno River. As more Chinese residents arrived, the waterway became known as China Creek, a name that endures.[12]
A post office was established in 1873.[4] The following year, theMadera Flume and Lumber Company began constructing alog flume along the Fresno River, launching the local timber industry. By 1876, a wagon road fromMadera toYosemite was completed, and Fresno Flats became an important stop on the route to Wawona. By 1884, the town supported hotels, stores, a blacksmith, skating rink, dance hall, schoolhouse, and several saloons.[13]
The first school, a log structure built in 1871, recorded an average attendance of about 27 students with a single teacher by 1884.[14]
Fresno Flats lost its name in 1912 after a resident secretly petitioned the town be renamed over fear that the town's reputation was forever tarnished because of a local stagecoach robbery.[15] The town was renamed Oakhurst by an Act of Congress that took most people in town by surprise.[16]
Oakhurst declined in the early 20th century following the collapse of the local mining industry, the end of stagecoach travel to Yosemite, and the 1931 closure of theMadera Sugar Pine Company. The opening of theAll-Year Highway in 1926 redirected Yosemite-bound automobile traffic through Merced, reducing visitor numbers and economic activity in Oakhurst. In the 1930s, construction of the Fresno–Yosemite road, nowCalifornia State Route 41, restored a direct connection from Fresno to Yosemite Valley, shortening the trip by about 35 miles.[17][18]
Today, more than 1.2 million visitors a year enter Yosemite through the park’s south gate, with most passing through Oakhurst on Highway 41. Tourism remains the town’s primary economic driver, with activity concentrated in the summer months. At that time, hotel occupancy is highest and local employment expands in lodging, dining, retail, and transportation. In 2017, accommodation and food service sales in Oakhurst totaled $36.5 million.[19][20]
The pioneeringcomputer game developerSierra On-Line was based in Oakhurst from 1981 to 1999.[21] The company achieved many industry firsts, including the development of the first3Dadventure game (King's Quest, 1984) and one of the first online gaming networks (The Sierra Network, 1989).
According to the United States Census Bureau, Oakhurst had populations of 2,868 in 2000, 2,829 in 2010, and 5,945 in 2020.[22][23][19]
The 2020 census recorded 5,945 residents across 2,180 households. Of the total population, 18.2% were under 18, 3.1% under 5, and 25.6% were 65 or older. Women accounted for 56.5% of the population. Racially, the community was 87.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.8% Asian, and 7.7% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents comprised 12.0%. Veterans made up 357 residents, and 5.7% of the population was foreign-born.
Housing consisted of 1,742 owner-occupied units (79.9%) and 441 renter-occupied units (20.1%). The median value of owner-occupied housing was $369,900; median monthly costs were $2,189 for owners with a mortgage and $637 without. Median gross rent was $1,303.
Households averaged 2.29 persons. About 10.5% spoke a language other than English at home. Among residents 25 and older, 91.3% had a high school diploma and 29.4% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Computer ownership was reported in 92.4% of households, and 85.9% had broadband internet.
The median household income was $73,333, per capita income $44,763, and 16.2% of residents lived below the poverty line.[19]
Local reporting has noted that the growth of short-term rental platforms such asAirbnb has reduced the availability of long-term rentals, contributing to increased rents and housing competition.[24][25]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Oakhurst is inthe 4th senatorial district, represented byRepublican Marie Alvarado-Gil, and inthe 8th Assembly district, represented byRepublican David Tangipa.[26]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Oakhurst is inCalifornia's 5th congressional district, represented byRepublican Tom McClintock.[27]
On February 5, 2008 residents voted on Measure C, a proposal toincorporate Oakhurst as a city.[28] The measure failed with 56% voting against and 44% in favor.[29]
Oakhurst, an unincorporated area, does not have an official mayor. Instead, an Honorary Mayor is selected annually through a fundraising competition where candidates generate funds for selected non-profits, with each dollar equating to one vote. The top fundraiser is named Honorary Mayor, a tradition that has supported local charities by raising significant amounts over the years.[30][31]
Oakhurst is home toYosemite High School and the headquarters of theYosemite Unified School District, which serves eastern Madera County.[32]
The Oakhurst Community College Center, part of theState Center Community College District, offers associate degrees and transfer programs. Established in the 1980s, the campus is located on Road 426 near the Madera County Library branch.[33][34] In October 2024, construction began on a new 30-acre campus along Highway 49.[35]
The Talking Bear is a fiberglass grizzly bear statue installed in 1965 at the intersection of State Route 41 and Road 426. Visitors press a button to hear a recorded message about theCalifornia grizzly bear. Hugh Schollenbarger installed the bear, which was made by Alpine's Fiberglass Menagerie Co.[36][37]
The Little Church on the Hill was built in 1894 and moved from Chapel Hill to its current location in Oakhill Cemetery in 1957.[38] Built from sugar pine lumber from local mills, it was the first house of worship in Fresno Flats and served multiple denominations for more than 50 years.[39] The church and cemetery were designated aCalifornia Point of Historical Interest in 1994.
Many originalpioneer structures are on display at theFresno Flats Historical Village and Park, including the 1869 Taylor Log House (associated with early forest ranger “Boot” Taylor), the two-story Laramore–Layman House (1870s), the Raymond Jail (1890), and several one-room schoolhouses.[40]
Sierra Mountaineer Days, first held in 1964, grew into a multi-day festival that at its height attracted more than 10,000 visitors.[41] Events included a parade, rodeo, barbecue, and beauty pageant, with programming that emphasized 19th-century mining and logging.[42] In the late 1990s the event was revived as Mountain Heritage Day, now held at Fresno Flats Historic Village, with a parade and living-history activities.[43]
Highway 41 connects Oakhurst toFresno andYosemite. Highway 49 has its southern terminus at Highway 41 in Oakhurst and connects toMariposa.
Oakhurst is served by theYARTS Highway 41 bus route between Fresno and Yosemite,[44] and by the Madera County Connection bus system, which travels toMadera andBass Lake.[45]
Cable television services for the town of Oakhurst are contracted toVyve Broadband .[46]
Sierra Telephone Company, which serves northern Madera County and much of adjoiningMariposa County, is based in Oakhurst.
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