Oakhurst | |
|---|---|
Oakhurst seen from the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Oakhill Cemetery State Route 41 Welcome Sign | |
 Location in Madera County and the state of California | |
  Oakhurst Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 37°19′41″N 119°38′58″W / 37.32806°N 119.64944°W[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 (0.03 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 (formerly Fresno Flats)[4] is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County, California, United States, 14 miles (23 km) south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. At an elevation of 2,274 ft (693 m), Oakhurst is situated at the junction of Highway 41 and Highway 49, marking the southern end of California's Gold Country. It is part of the Madera metropolitan statistical area.
Oakhurst originated in 1858 as Fresno Flats, evolving from a ranching community to a hub for the timber industry and later, tourism. The town was renamed Oakhurst in 1912 following a secret petition by a resident after a local stagecoach robbery. The area was historically a meeting ground for the Miwok, Yokut, and Mono tribes. However, the enactment of the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians in 1850 led to the displacement of many Native Americans, catalyzing the Mariposa War, the first battle of which was fought near present-day Oakhurst.
From 1981 to 1999, Oakhurst was home to Sierra On-Line, a pioneer in the computer game industry, known for creating the first 3D adventure game and the first dedicated online gaming network.[5]
- ^ a b "Oakhurst". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "U.S Census Bureau". Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 810-811. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ Shapiro, Eben (June 18, 1991). "Now, an All-Video Game Network". The New York Times.