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59-723: The roadway begins at Oakhurst , Madera County , in the Sierra Nevada , where it diverges from State Route 41. It continues in a generally northwest direction, weaving through the communities of Goldside and Ahwahnee, before crossing into Mariposa County . State Route 49 then continues northward through the counties of Tuolumne , Calaveras , Amador , El Dorado , Placer , Nevada , Yuba , Sierra , and Plumas , where it reaches its northern terminus at State Route 70 , in Vinton . SR 49 starts at an intersection with SR 41 near Oakhurst . The road heads west before turning north before

118-517: A wrong-way concurrency with SR 89 briefly through Sattley and Sierraville . SR 49 then leaves the forest as Loyalton Road, passing through the city of Loyalton and intersecting CR A24 before crossing into Plumas County as Vinton Loyalton Road, where SR 49 ends at SR 70 in the town of Vinton . SR 49 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System , and from SR 140 to a point north of SR 88 as well as from I-80 to SR 20

177-564: A 'For Rent' sign on it. Drytown first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census . The 2010 United States Census reported that Drytown had a population of 167. The population density was 45.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.5/km ). The racial makeup of Drytown was 153 (92%) White , 0 African American , 0 Native American , 1 (1%) Asian , 0 Pacific Islander , 2 (1%) from other races , and 11 (7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11 persons (7%). The Census reported that 167 people (100% of

236-416: 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

295-410: 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. 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

354-405: 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

413-777: 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 33.5 square miles (87 km ), of which 0.007 square miles (0.018 km ), or 0.02%, are water. Oakhurst

472-557: A full list of prefixes, see California postmile § Official postmile definitions ). Segments that remain unconstructed or have been relinquished to local control may be omitted. The numbers reset at county lines; the start and end postmiles in each county are given in the county column. Oakhurst, California Oakhurst (formerly Fresno Flats ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madera County , California , United States, 14 miles (23 km) south of

531-559: 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

590-464: 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

649-597: 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. The pioneering computer game developer Sierra On-Line was based in Oakhurst from 1981 to 1999. The company achieved many industry firsts, including

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708-402: A proposal to incorporate Oakhurst as a city. The measure failed with 56% voting against and 44% in favor. 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,

767-461: A stairway added from there to the stage wings. The majority of the cast, crew and spectators traveled from communities around San Francisco Bay to this Mother Lode area on show days to be a part of this phenomenon. The large "Piper's Playhouse" marquee was a familiar sight to anyone traveling this part of Highway 49 during the Claypipers' tenure—now, like the sound of the boisterous crowds cheering

826-520: A tradition that has supported local charities by raising significant amounts over the years. 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

885-470: A very short distance before turning west on Elm Avenue. SR 49 continues onto I-80 west at an interchange for a very short distance until the interchange at exit 119B where SR 49 departs from I-80. SR 49 then continues almost due north out of the Auburn city limits. SR 49 continues north, crossing into Nevada County and passing through Higgins Corner and Forest Springs . SR 49 becomes a freeway and enters

944-549: 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

1003-722: Is $ 73,333, with a per capita income of $ 44,763. The poverty rate is at 16.2%. In the California State Legislature , Oakhurst is in the 8th Senate District , represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby , and in the 5th Assembly District , represented by Republican Joe Patterson . In the United States House of Representatives , Oakhurst is in California's 5th congressional district , represented by Republican Tom McClintock . On February 5, 2008 residents voted on Measure C,

1062-430: 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

1121-676: Is now occupied by an antique shop, the Drytown Post Office is housed in an adjacent, newer building which is also an antique shop, and the Drytown general store is now in a second separate, newer building nearby. At the time of the January 2010 visit there was a sign on the door of the post office building stating that the post office was closed in April, 2009, and efforts were being made to reopen it. From 1959 to about 1994 — before

1180-640: 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,

1239-986: Is part of the National Highway System , a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration . SR 49 is eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System , and from the Sierra-Yuba county line to Yuba Summit is officially designated as a scenic highway by the California Department of Transportation . The segment of SR 49 from SR 20 in Nevada City to SR 89 in Sierraville also forms part of

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1298-493: Is rumored) to sneak nuggets out of the mines at the end of their shifts. After a wildly successful summer in adjacent Amador City, the Claypipers bought the century-old building across Highway 49 from the Drytown General Store and remodeled it into a theater with table seating, a bar, stage, wings and sophisticated (for the time) stage lighting system. The basement was converted to dressing rooms and green room, and

1357-511: The 2010 census was 167. The town is registered as a California Historical Landmark . The community is in ZIP code 95699 and area code 209 . Today Drytown is home to a population of less than 200 people and about 5 antiques stores. But once before it was a well-known hotspot thanks to the gold mines with a population of 10,000 people. Drytown is the oldest community in Amador County, and

1416-510: The California Gold Rush . These include: Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured on the road as it was in 1964 , based on the alignment that existed at the time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage. R reflects a realignment in the route since then, M indicates a second realignment, L refers to an overlap due to a correction or change, and T indicates postmiles classified as temporary ( for

1475-616: 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. 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

1534-591: 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 . Oakhurst is located 3 miles (5 km) south-southwest of Yosemite Forks , along the Fresno River , and sits at an elevation of 2,274 feet (693 m). Surrounded by mountains in

1593-744: The Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway , a National Forest Scenic Byway . SR 49 is known as the Golden Chain Highway for the entire route. SR 49 is known as the John C. Begovich Memorial Highway from Jackson to SR 88 (honoring the California legislator and U.S. Marshal ), and the Mother Lode Highway from Sonora to Auburn . The SR 49 corridor was designed to connect historical locations and landmarks of

1652-511: 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

1711-410: The 1980s, it is located on Road 426 off Highway 41, near the local Madera County Library branch as of September 2020 . The State Center Community College District Board of Trustees approved plans to relocate the college to a new 30-acre site along Highway 49. Construction is estimated to cost $ 25 million and be completed by spring 2022. Celebrated as both a local landmark and roadside attraction ,

1770-456: The 3 man volunteer Drytown Fire Department was called out three times, and saved two of the three homes involved. The third was fully engulfed in flames before the call came in, but they were able to prevent the adjacent propane tank from erupting as well as the spread of the fire to the very dry surrounding grassy fields. In January 2010, the "fire engine" was nowhere to be found, and the "fire Station' building had been fitted with man-doors and had

1829-534: 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

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1888-505: The Mother Lode tourist boom — a summer theater company called the "Claypipers" staged comedic melodramas interspersed with "olio" (song and dance) acts to mostly standing room only audiences. Musical accompaniment for both was provided by the incomparable Dottie Rodgers on the piano at stage left. The name Claypipers was taken from the clay pipes used by miners in the deep tunnels of hard rock gold mines — not only for smoking, but also (it

1947-602: 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. The Little Church on

2006-558: The area's unique cultural and historical background. 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 . Cable television services for

2065-482: The city of Angels Camp . SR 49 continues through Altaville . The highway continues into San Andreas , where SR 12 terminates. SR 49 continues into Mokelumne Hill , where it intersects with SR 26 . SR 49 then passes through Big Bar and across the Mokelumne River , which is located on the county line between Amador County and Calaveras County . SR 49 then runs concurrently with SR 88 briefly through

2124-652: The city of Grass Valley , where it then runs concurrently with SR 20 and interchanges with the northern end of SR 174 . The SR 49/SR 20 concurrency continues as a freeway into Nevada City . SR 49 then splits from SR 20 at an at-grade intersection just after the freeway ends heads west out of Nevada City. SR 49 goes over the South Branch of the Yuba River near the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park . SR 49 continues through

2183-557: The city of Sonora . SR 49 splits from SR 108 and enters downtown Sonora as Stockton Street, turning north onto Washington Street before leaving the Sonora city limits. SR 49 intersects the north end of CR E5 before passing through Tuttletown and crossing into Calaveras County at the bridge over the Stanislaus River . SR 49 then enters Carson Hill . Passing by New Melones Lake , SR 49 briefly runs concurrently with SR 4 in

2242-406: The community's housing needs. 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

2301-428: 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

2360-454: The county. The town was only saved by the construction of State Route 49 , which went through it, in 1920. See the Drytown, CA website for additional history and current information. A U.S. Post Office opened at Drytown in 1852. In the 1960s the post office was located within the Drytown General Store operated by the Bruns family. A visit in January 2010 revealed that the general store building

2419-519: 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,

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2478-406: The development of the first 3D adventure game ( King's Quest , 1984) and one of the first online gaming networks ( The Sierra Network , 1989). 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

2537-454: 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

2596-577: 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. 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

2655-417: The first in which gold was discovered. It took its name from Dry Creek, which runs dry during the summer. However, it was certainly not "dry", as stories tell of there being up to 26 saloons , of which just one remains, The Drytown Club. The gold started to peter out by 1857 and when a fire destroyed most of the town that year, most of its inhabitants packed up and moved to more successful mines elsewhere in

2714-551: The heroes and booing the villains, only a memory. The Claypipers also purchased the house across Spanish Street from the theater, constructed a "dorm" addition, and used it as a base of operations on show days and work days (mostly on weekends). Following a fire in 1985, the theater was completely re-built and a second story was added to the Piper Playhouse. The Claypipers continued performing melodramas until closing their doors for good in 1994. The house on Spanish Street

2773-459: The intersection with CR J16 . The highway passes by the southern edge of Lake McClure and intersects SR 132 in Coulterville before passing into Tuolumne County . SR 49 continues north through the town of Moccasin , where SR 120 runs concurrently for several miles to the town of Chinese Camp . SR 49 then turns northeast and runs concurrently with SR 108 , intersecting CR E5 , into

2832-588: The population) lived in households, 0 lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 were institutionalized. There were 72 households, out of which 18 (25%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 40 (56%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 8 (11%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2 (3%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 4 (6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 1 (1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 17 households (24%) were made up of individuals, and 6 (8%) had someone living alone who

2891-644: The town of Ahwahnee near the Wassama Roundhouse State Historic Park . SR 49 continues north, passing through Nipinnswassee before entering Mariposa County and the Sierra National Forest . Continuing to the west, SR 49 passes through Mormon Bar before running concurrently with SR 140 briefly through the town of Mariposa . Near the town of Mount Bullion , SR 49 passes by Mariposa-Yosemite Airport before turning northwest and going through Bear Valley and

2950-604: The town of Coloma . In Coloma, the highway intersects with SR 153 , a spur route to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park . SR 49 then continues through Lotus before turning north at Pilot Hill and intersecting the northern terminus of SR 193 at Cool . SR 49 continues through the Auburn State Recreation Area before crossing into Placer County and entering the city of Auburn as High Street for

3009-429: The town of Martell before intersecting the eastern terminus of SR 104 . SR 49 then runs west of Sutter Creek and Amador City , via a bypass around those two cities that was constructed in 2009,) before reaching Drytown . SR 49 then intersects the eastern end of SR 16 before passing through the city of Plymouth . The highway continues through Enterprise before crossing into El Dorado County and passing through

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3068-512: The town of Oakhurst are contracted to Vyve Broadband . Sierra Telephone Company, which serves northern Madera County and much of adjoining Mariposa County , is based in Oakhurst. Drytown, California Drytown (formerly, Dry Town ) is a census-designated place in Amador County , California . It is located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Plymouth on Dry Creek , at an elevation of 646 feet (197 m). The population at

3127-630: The towns of Nashville , El Dorado , and Diamond Springs (the latter two as Pleasant Valley Road) before entering Placerville . SR 49 traverses downtown on Pacific Street and Main Street before continuing onto Spring Street, where it intersects the US 50 expressway at-grade before continuing north as Georgetown Road. As it leaves the Placerville city limits, SR 49 intersects the southern terminus of SR 193 before continuing northwest as Coloma Road into

3186-424: The towns of Sweetland and North San Juan , where it crosses into Yuba County and enters Tahoe National Forest . The route goes through Log Cabin and Camptonville . SR 49 then crosses into Sierra County , where it passes through Goodyears Bar , Downieville , and Sierra City on its forest journey. After passing near Kentucky Mine Historic Park , SR 49 goes through Bassetts and Haskell Creek , then shares

3245-508: 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

3304-732: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3. There were 50 families (69% of all households); the average family size was 2.7. The population was spread out, with 31 people (17%) under the age of 18, 9 people (5%) aged 18 to 24, 34 people (20%) aged 25 to 44, 64 people (38%) aged 45 to 64, and 29 people (17%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.1 males. There were 80 housing units at an average density of 21.7 per square mile (8.4/km ), of which 72 were occupied, of which 49 (68%) were owner-occupied, and 23 (32%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate

3363-459: 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 ,

3422-571: Was renamed Oakhurst by an Act of Congress that took most people in town by surprise. 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

3481-401: Was sold a few years later, and the theater was ultimately sold in 2010. In the early 1960s, the Claypipers purchased a "fire engine" for Drytown — a well used but serviceable Red Ford 1-Ton pickup truck with built-in 400 gallon water tank and pump — and constructed a "fire station" (garage) building to house it on the west side of the 'T' intersection of Spanish St and New Chicago Road. In 1963,

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