Oakhurst, California

Oakhurst (formerly Fresno Flats) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County, California, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada approximately south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Positioned at the junction of Highway 41 and Highway 49, Oakhurst sits at the southern edge of California’s Gold Country and had a population of 5,945 as of the 2020 United States census.

Founded in 1858 as Fresno Flats, the town developed as a cattle stop and later a logging hub, eventually becoming a gateway to Yosemite. The surrounding area was historically a gathering place for the Miwok, Yokuts, and Mono peoples and was the site of early conflicts following California statehood, including the opening battle of the Mariposa War. In the late 20th century, Oakhurst became an unlikely center of innovation in the emerging computer game industry as the headquarters of Sierra On-Line, known for pioneering graphic adventure games and the first dedicated online gaming network.

Today, Oakhurst remains both a residential and tourist hub, shaped by its geography, its role in Yosemite-bound travel, and its layered history as a crossroads between frontier industries—timber, tourism, and technology.

Geography

Oakhurst is located south-southwest of Yosemite Forks, along the Fresno River, and sits at an elevation of .

Surrounded by mountains in the upper Sierra Nevada foothills, Oakhurst acts as a significant geographic crossroads. It is bordered by the Fresno River to the west and north. To the south, there are roads leading to the San Joaquin Valley, and to the east, paths extend to Crane Flat and the High Sierra. Historically, this strategic positioning made Oakhurst an important meeting location for Native American tribes across Central California. Today, Oakhurst remains a critical hub, connecting mountain routes that lead in all four compass directions.

Oakhurst is positioned at the southern end of California's Gold Country, on Highway 49. It bridges the San Joaquin Valley and the Yosemite Valley via Highway 41. Nearby communities include Ahwahnee, Coarsegold and Bass Lake. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which , or 0.02%, are water.

History

Native people

Oakhurst was a common meeting ground for the Miwoks, Yokuts, and Monos before the time of the California Gold Rush.

Many Native Californians were displaced by white settlers following the enactment of the Act 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 the Mariposa War, the first battle of which was fought near present-day Oakhurst on January 11, 1851. 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.

Fresno Flats

Oakhurst's existence began in 1858 as "Fresno Flats," named for the Spanish word for ash trees and flat, a colloquial term for a mountain meadow.

Unlike most nearby towns along what is now the Golden Chain Highway., Fresno Flats was not founded due to the discovery of precious metals in the nineteenth century.

John Robert Nichols, a rancher, was likely the first Anglo settler in Fresno Flats in 1858. Others joined him, raising livestock and planting orchards, establishing the area permanently. Post-gold rush, the first Chinese family settled by a creek flowing into the Fresno River. As more Chinese families used it, the creek was named China Creek, which remains its name.

Fresno Flats opened its first post office in 1873. The following year, the Madera Flume and Lumber Company started building a log flume by the Fresno River, sparking the local timber industry. By 1876, a wagon road from Madera to Yosemite was complete, shifting the area's main economic focus to tourism. Fresno Flats grew into a key station on this road to Wawona, boasting hotels, stores, a blacksmith, a skating rink, a dancehall, a schoolhouse, and saloons by 1884. The first school, made of logs, was built in 1871, and by 1884, it had an average attendance of 26.9 students with one teacher.

Name change

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. The town was renamed Oakhurst by an Act of Congress that took most people in town by surprise.

Highway Era

Oakhurst's decline started with the mining industry collapse, the end of stagecoach travel to Yosemite, and the 1931 closure of the Madera Sugar Pine Company. The All-Year Highway, opened in 1926, rerouted Yosemite bound auto traffic via California State Route 140 through Merced, further reducing visitor numbers and economic activity in Oakhurst. A new highway route to Yosemite came to fruition in the 1930s with the Fresno-Yosemite road, known today as California State Route 41. This route shortened the trip from Fresno to Yosemite Valley by 35 miles.

Over 1.2 million people annually enter Yosemite National Park through its south gate, predominantly passing through Oakhurst on Highway 41. Tourism significantly affects Oakhurst, especially during summer. This season sees the highest traffic on Highway 41, full hotel occupancy, and a peak in jobs serving visitors, including lodging, dining, retail, and transportation services. The total sales for accommodation and food services in 2017 were $36.5 million dollars. In contrast, these activities and related employment decrease in winter due to reduced off-season activities in Yosemite and surrounding areas.

Sierra On-Line

The pioneering computer game developer Sierra On-Line was based in Oakhurst from 1981 to 1999. The company achieved many industry firsts, including the development of the first 3D adventure game (''King's Quest'', 1984) and one of the first online gaming networks ('' The Sierra Network'', 1989).

Demographics

Oakhurst, California, has experienced notable demographic and socio-economic transformations between the 2000 and 2020 census periods. The population more than doubled from 2,868 to 5,945, with a significant increase in households and a shift towards a younger age demographic. While remaining predominantly White, the community saw fluctuations in its Hispanic or Latino population, rising from 9.94% in 2000 to 16.7% in 2010, and then slightly decreasing to 12.0% by 2020. Socio-economic developments included a substantial rise in median household income from $27,679 to $73,333, alongside high rates of educational attainment and technological adoption. Despite these socio-economic improvements, challenges in poverty rates and health insurance coverage persist, reflecting ongoing issues within the community.

The growth of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has influenced the housing market. As more property owners opt for short-term rentals due to higher potential earnings, the availability of long-term rental housing has decreased. This shift has contributed to increased competition and rising rental prices for residents, prompting discussions about potential regulations to balance tourism benefits with the community's housing needs.

2020

According to the 2020 census, the CDP has a population of 5,945 across 2,180 households. The community is diverse, with distinct demographic segments: children under five make up 3.1% of the population, those under 18 comprise 18.2%, and seniors 65 and older represent 25.6%. Women are the majority, making up 56.5% of the residents.

Racially, 87.8% of the population is White. Other groups include Black or African American (0.3%), American Indian and Alaska Native (0.2%), Asian (1.8%), and those identifying with two or more races (7.7%). Hispanic or Latino residents make up 12.0%, with non-Hispanic Whites at 83.0%.

The community includes 357 veterans and has a 5.7% foreign-born population, highlighting some cultural diversity. Housing predominantly consists of owner-occupied units, with a 79.9% ownership rate and a median value of $369,900. Monthly housing costs average $2,189 for owners with mortgages and $637 for those without. Median rent is $1,303.

Households average 2.29 persons, with 87.2% of residents living in the same house for at least one year. Additionally, 10.5% of households speak a non-English language at home.

Technological use is widespread, with 92.4% of households owning a computer and 85.9% having broadband internet. Education levels are high: 91.3% have a high school diploma, and 29.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Regarding health, 18.1% of those under 65 have a disability, and 8.3% lack health insurance. Employment is robust, with 57.9% of those 16 and older in the workforce, showing equal participation by women.

Financially, the median household income is $73,333, with a per capita income of $44,763. The poverty rate is at 16.2%.

Government and politics

In the California State Legislature, Oakhurst is in , and in .

In the United States House of Representatives, Oakhurst is in .

On February 5, 2008 residents voted on Measure C, a proposal to incorporate Oakhurst as a city. The measure failed with 56% voting against and 44% in favor.

Honorary mayor

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.

Education

Oakhurst is home to Yosemite High School and the headquarters for the Yosemite Unified School District. Many primary schools across eastern Madera County feed into the high school.

Oakhurst Community College Center is a two-year institution that offers programs in two-year degrees and general education for transfer. Founded in the 1980s, it is located on Road 426 off Highway 41, near the local Madera County Library branch . The State Center Community College District Board of Trustees approved plans to relocate the Oakhurst campus to a new 30-acre site along Highway 49. Construction on the new campus officially began in October 2024.

Attractions

The Talking Bear

Celebrated as both a local landmark and roadside attraction, the Talking Bear is a prominent fiberglass grizzly bear statue located at the intersection of Highway 41 and Road 426. Known for its distinctive design and cultural significance, the statue has become a notable feature in the area since it was installed in 1965. Visitors press a button to hear a recorded message about the California Grizzly Bear. Hugh Schollenbarger installed the bear which was made by Alpine's Fiberglass Menagerie Co.

Historic Buildings

The Little Church on the Hill was built in 1894 and moved from Chapel Hill to its current location in Oakhill Cemetery in 1957. Built from sugar pine lumber from the local mills, it was the first house of worship in Fresno Flats and met the needs of all denominations for over 50 years. The church and cemetery were designated as California Point of Historical Interest in 1994.

Many original pioneer structures are on display at the Fresno Flats Historical Village and Park including the 1869 Taylor Log House, where Boot Taylor, one of the first Sierra National Forest rangers was raised, the two-story Laramore-Layman House, built in the 1870s, the Raymond Jail built in 1890, and several single-room schoolhouses.

Little Church on the Hill at Oakhill Cemetery in Oakhurst, California.jpg, The Little Church on the Hill at Oakhill Cemetery
1890 Raymond Jail.jpg, The 1890 pioneer jail at Fresno Flats Historical Village was relocated from nearby Raymond.

Sierra Mountaineer Days

Sierra Mountaineer Days, an annual festival established in 1964, became a significant event, drawing over 10,000 visitors each year at its peak. The three-day event featured a parade, barbecue, rodeo, and beauty pageant, celebrating the region's history. It focused on the 19th-century miners' lifestyle and the importance of the logging industry, highlighting the area's rich heritage.

In the late 1990s, the festival experienced a revival and was renamed Mountain Heritage Day, now held at Fresno Flats Historic Village. This modern version of the event continues to honor the area's unique cultural and historical background.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highway 41 connects Oakhurst to Fresno and Yosemite. Highway 49 has its southern terminus at Highway 41 in Oakhurst and connects to Mariposa.

Oakhurst is served by the YARTS Highway 41 bus route between Fresno and Yosemite, and by the Madera County Connection bus system, which travels to Madera and Bass Lake.

Utilities

Cable television services for the town of Oakhurst are contracted t
Vyve Broadband
.

Sierra Telephone Company, which serves northern Madera County and much of adjoining Mariposa County, is based in Oakhurst.

Notable people

* Bill Davis, creative director
* Peter Ledger, artist
* Ted Lilly, MLB pitcher; attended Yosemite High School in Oakhurst
* Lori Martin, actress
* From Indian Lakes, indie rock band

References

External links

Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce

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Census-designated places in Madera County, California
Populated places established in 1873
Census-designated places in California
Populated places in the Sierra Nevada (United States)