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63-506: Cholame is reached via State Route 41 , just southwest of the junction of Route 46 . Rainfall data from a nearby ranch shows that the area around Cholame only receives about eight to nine inches (200–230 mm) of rain in a normal year. Cholame was originally a rancheria of the Salinian Indians. Rancho Cholame was an 1844 Mexican land grant. In 1867, William Welles Hollister (1818–1886) purchased Rancho Cholame. Hollister sold

126-463: A blend of traditional industries like farming and manufacturing, coupled hospitality and service-oriented fields. Based on the average employment percentages from 2015 to 2022, the employment sectors in Madera County are ranked as follows: The sectors that saw the largest decrease in the period were information (-25%), financial activities (-12.50%) and manufacturing (-5.71%). Looking towards

189-512: A broader decline in the U.S. starting in the 1980s, caused by falling market prices and economic issues, resulting in a major decrease in tungsten mining nationwide. As a result, tungsten mining in Madera County and the rest of the Sierra Nevada has stopped entirely. The discovery of gold was quickly followed by a high demand for lumber, which was essential for constructing sluice boxes and building early settlements. The first sawmill in

252-644: A citizen-only land use permit system, effectively excluding Native Americans until they were granted citizenship in 1924 through the Indian Citizenship Act . Since the area was part of Mexico until 1848, it has maintained a significant population of Mexican descent . After the California Gold Rush , the region became a vibrant mosaic, drawing individuals from across the United States and beyond. Chinese laborers played

315-671: A destination for significant numbers of refugees from the Dust Bowl , primarily originating from Oklahoma and Arkansas. In the mid-20th century, the Bracero Program , designed to recruit labor from Mexico , played a crucial role in mitigating the agricultural labor shortages that arose during World War II and the Korean War . Advocated by the Madera County Chamber of Commerce, efforts were made to persuade

378-523: A four-lane divided highway and eventually a freeway approaching the Fresno city limits. The route intersects SR 99 near Jensen Avenue. Complete access is not available between SR 41/SR 99. For example, there is no direct connector between the southbound SR 41 and northbound SR 99; drivers wanting to make this transition must exit at the SR 41/SR 180 interchange, head west on SR 180, and then transition onto SR 99 at

441-714: A freeway itself is in Fresno County and parts of Madera. The southern end of the highway intersects SR 1 in Morro Bay . Between Morro Bay and Fresno , the highway intersects U.S. Route 101 in Atascadero , proceeds through the Coast Range and intersects SR 46 . Actor James Dean died in an accident in 1955 at the intersection of SR 46 in Cholame . Currently, there is a memorial located there. The interchange

504-693: A half-interest in the rancho to Robert Edgar Jack in 1869. Jack studied at Maine Wesleyan Seminary , and he later was an accountant at a shipping house in New York City. In the Civil War he enlisted in the 56th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment , and he served in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania , during the Battle of Gettysburg and then in New York to quell "anti-Negro riots" there. Near the end of

567-679: A key role in constructing the Madera Flume and working in the Sugar Pine lumber yards . However, their numbers declined after restrictive immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1917 were enacted. This led to Mexican immigrants filling the roles previously held by Chinese workers, signifying a notable change in the area's labor dynamics. During the 1930s, Madera County became

630-507: A leading agricultural center, renowned for its substantial production of almonds , grapes , and pistachios . Despite these economic advantages, Madera County encounters socioeconomic challenges, including a median household income that falls below the California average and poverty rates that exceed state averages, underscoring the economic disparities within the county. Madera County is characterized by its diverse population, including

693-687: A low clearance railroad crossing and a dangerous narrow bridge crossing the Salinas River before rejoining its existing alignment. Then Caltrans built a bypass of this dangerous route with a long wider bridge crossing the railroad, Sycamore Drive, and the river before joining the original 1950s SR 41. SR 41 is now currently signed on this bypass. Since then, the old bridge was demolished but the railroad undercrossing still remains. There's an old sign on Capistrano Avenue that still marks it as "Hwy 41" and signs on El Camino Real that mark West Mall with covered up "41" shields. In February 2024, Caltrans closed

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756-645: A network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration . Three segments – from SR 1 to US 101, SR 46 to SR 33 , and SR 49 at Oakhurst to Yosemite (the Wawona Road) ;– are eligible for inclusion in the State Scenic Highway System , but SR 41 is not officially designated as a scenic highway by

819-579: A new harbor was being developed. The entire length from Fresno to Morro Bay, as well as the Wawona Road to Yosemite, was added to the state highway system in 1933 as Route 125 , and subsequently improved by the state. In 1934, the state sign route system was established, and Sign Route 41 was designated along Route 125 from Yosemite south and southwest to Cholame and then west through Paso Robles to Cambria via Legislative Route 33 . The part of Route 125 southwest of Cholame instead became part of

882-578: A portion of SR 41 near Stratford in a project to replace the 1947 Kings River bridge, forcing a 32 mi (51 km) temporary detour. The Kings County Association of Governments has plans to improve the state highways within the county. Developers are interested in building distribution warehouses in Kings County because of its strategic location midway between the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas, but they are currently turned off by

945-424: A pronounced Native American heritage and a history of immigration and migration dating back to the California Gold Rush . The county has a 59.6% Hispanic or Latino population and 20.3% of residents are foreign-born, both percentages surpassing the national averages. Additionally, nearly half of Madera County's population speaks a language other than English at home, reflecting its multicultural composition. Madera

1008-643: A range of climates, from arid in the valley to alpine in the higher Sierra Nevada, creating diverse microclimates and environments across the area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,153 square miles (5,580 km ), of which 2,137 square miles (5,530 km ) is land and 16 square miles (41 km ), or 0.8%, is water. Madera County is part of the Madera AVA wine region . Madera County's demographic composition and economic indicators reveal contrasts with both state and national averages. The county's median household income

1071-411: 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 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;

1134-530: A significant Hispanic or Latino population of 59.6%. Linguistic diversity is evident, with 46.5% of residents speaking a language other than English at home. An estimated 12,500 to 15,000 people in Madera County are undocumented immigrants . Educational attainment in Madera County shows that 21.4% of its population holds a Bachelor's degree or higher, which is below the California average. Madera County's origins are deeply rooted in boom-and-bust cycles, primarily driven by extractive industries. Initially,

1197-435: Is 56.4%, which is lower than the national rate. The county has a youthful demographic, with 27.1% under 18 years old, compared to the national figure of 22.4%. The percentage of elderly residents in Madera County is slightly below the U.S. average. Madera County is notable for its higher percentage of foreign-born residents at 20.3%, surpassing the national average. This contributes to the county's multicultural identity, with

1260-618: Is a viewpoint located just outside the east end of the Wawona Tunnel, and provides the first view of Yosemite Valley . The route then continues into Yosemite Valley where it terminates at SR 140 /Southside Drive. Except between US 101 in Atascadero and SR 46 near Shandon , SR 41 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System , and north of SR 46 is part of the National Highway System ,

1323-602: Is at SR 140 in Yosemite National Park . It has been constructed as an expressway from near SR 198 in Lemoore north to the south part of Fresno , where the Yosemite Freeway begins, passing along the east side of downtown and extending north into Madera County . The majority of Route 41 runs as either two-lane rural highway or four-lane divided highway. The only part of SR 41 that turns into

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1386-613: Is characterized by its diverse landscapes, encompassing the fertile San Joaquin Valley , grasslands and oak woodlands of the foothills, and the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains. A significant part of Yosemite National Park , known for its wilderness and alpine areas, lies within the county. Madera County also hosts important waterways, including parts of the San Joaquin River and several lakes and reservoirs, vital for agriculture, ecosystems, and recreation. The county experiences

1449-447: Is located 5.6 km (3.5 mi) SSW of Kettleman City on the west side of the highway. Just before reaching the intersection at SR 198 outside of the city of Lemoore , SR 41 becomes a four-lane divided highway until just southeast of Riverdale , where SR 41 reverts to one lane in each direction. The El Adobe de los Robles Rancho built by pioneer Daniel Rhoads can be found north of Lemoore. Southeast of Caruthers , SR 41 becomes

1512-576: Is mandated by the California Constitution to have a five-member Board of Supervisors elected to staggered four-year terms. The Board of Supervisors: District 1, Brett Frazier; District 2, David Rogers; District 3, Robert Poythress; District 4, Leticia Gonzalez; District 5, Tom Wheeler; and County Administrator, Jay Varney; and staff provide for voter registration and elections, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, roads, and social services for

1575-573: Is now called the James Dean Memorial Junction . Between SR 46 and SR 33, SR 41 ascends the Diablo Range and Cottonwood Pass and briefly travels through Kern County without any intersections in its entirety. After entering Kings County , it reaches SR 33 . SR 41 then intersects Interstate 5 south of Kettleman City . A large hazardous waste and municipal solid waste disposal facility operated by Waste Management, Inc.

1638-469: Is reported at $ 76,920, which is below California's median of $ 91,551, reflecting economic disparities within the region. Additionally, Madera County's poverty rate of 24.3% surpasses the state's 12.2% rate, underscoring significant economic challenges, particularly affecting children under 18, with 38.2% living in poverty. Comparatively, Madera County's median income slightly exceeds the national median of $ 69,717. However, its poverty rate of 22.0% also exceeds

1701-655: Is the Spanish term for wood. The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876. Madera County was formed in 1893 from Fresno County during a special election held in Fresno on May 16, 1893. Citizens residing in the area that was to become Madera County voted 1,179 to 358 for separation from Fresno County and

1764-427: The 1964 renumbering , becoming SR 46 east from Paso Robles. However, instead of going south and west to Morro Bay, SR 46 continued west to Cambria, and the road via Creston and Atascadero to Morro Bay (which had since been paved) became part of SR 41. In the 1980s, the urban stretch of 41 running through Fresno was upgraded to freeway standards, intersecting SR 99 to the south. In the late 1990s and early 2000s,

1827-962: The California Department of Transportation . SR 41 is known as the E.G. Lewis Highway from SR 1 to US 101 in San Luis Obispo County, the Dwight David Eisenhower Memorial Freeway from Ventura Avenue in Fresno to Herndon Avenue in Fresno, the Donald DeMers Highway from Jensen Avenue in Fresno to Elkhorn Avenue, the Yosemite Freeway from Elkhorn Avenue to the Fresno-Madera County line, the Southern Yosemite Highway from

1890-630: The Mono , Chukchansi , and Miwok . The Mono inhabited the upper San Joaquin River region, encompassing areas around North Fork and Crane Valley . The Chukchansi tribe lived in what are today the communities of Oakhurst , Coarsegold , Ahwahnee , and the lower foothills extending to the San Joaquin Valley . Meanwhile, the Miwok were located in the vicinity of Ahwahnee, Wawona , Mariposa , and

1953-710: The Yosemite Valley . Following the California Gold Rush , many Native American communities were displaced, a situation exacerbated by the Mariposa War and institutionalized by the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians . Despite these adversities, several communities persevered in their traditional lifestyles. However, the creation of the Sierra National Forest in 1897 introduced

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2016-409: The county seat . Established in 1893 from part of Fresno County , Madera County reported a population of 156,255 in the 2020 census. "Madera," meaning "wood" in Spanish, signifies the county's historical ties to the lumber industry. With a section of Yosemite National Park within its borders, Madera County has leveraged tourism as a key economic driver. Additionally, it has established itself as

2079-529: The County Bank of San Luis Obispo. The land was sold to the Hearst Corporation in 1966 and is still a working cattle ranch. On September 30, 1955, actor James Dean died in a car crash when Cal Poly student Donald Turnupseed made a left turn without seeing Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder approaching at the junction of State Highways 41 and 46. Dean was the driver of the car that slammed into

2142-627: The Fresno-Madera County line to Yosemite National Park, and the Wawona Road from Fresno to Yosemite National Park. In 1930, the counties of Fresno , Kings , Kern , and San Luis Obispo considered organizing a joint highway district to construct a shortcut connecting Fresno with the Pacific Ocean at Morro Bay . This highway would pass through Kettleman City on its way to the Cholame Lateral ( Legislative Route 33 ) near Cholame or Shandon , and then continue to Morro Bay, where

2205-497: The car driven by Turnupseed. His passenger, named Rolf Wutherich , was thrown from the vehicle but survived. Dean was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. On the same date in 2005, the State of California observed the 50th anniversary of Dean's death by naming the intersection as the James Dean Memorial Junction . A few hundred people, including state officials, a Dean family member, several Dean archivists and fans gathered at

2268-522: The county is in the 5th Assembly District , represented by Republican Joe Patterson . In the California State Senate , Madera is split between the 8th Senate District , represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby , and the 12th Senate District , represented by Republican Shannon Grove . On November 4, 2008, Madera County voted 73.4% for Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as

2331-668: The county seat, population 62,000, and Chowchilla, population 19,600. Madera County has three correctional facilities. The first is the Madera County Jail, managed by the elected Sheriff. The second, Valley State Prison , is a state-run prison located in Chowchilla. The third, the Central California Women's Facility , is also in Chowchilla , across from Valley State Prison. Inmates are counted in

2394-485: The county was constructed in 1852 on the east fork of Redwood Creek, north of Oakhurst , in an area currently known as Old Corral. This mill primarily provided lumber to miners and settlers in the Coarsegold and Fresno Flats areas. In 1854, Charles Converse and Bill Chitister purchased the mill and relocated it to Crane Valley, the area now known as Bass Lake . In 1872, the California Lumber Company initiated

2457-501: The county's census population. Madera is a strongly Republican county in presidential and congressional elections. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976 . Madera is split between the 5th and 13th congressional districts, represented by Tom McClintock ( R – Elk Grove ) and John Duarte ( R – Modesto ), respectively. With respect to the California State Assembly ,

2520-422: The county's economy was heavily reliant on mineral extraction and timber harvesting. Over time, agriculture and ag related industries became the predominant employer and economic force. Madera County became known for gold mining during the California Gold Rush . Madera County, created in 1893 from a portion of Fresno County , encompassed most of the region's productive gold mines. These mines, located primarily at

2583-640: The entire county. It is the local government for all unincorporated areas. Other elected offices include the Sheriff, Tyson Pogue; District Attorney, Sally Orme Moreno; Assessor, Brian Glover (acting); Auditor-Controller, David Richstone; Treasurer-Tax Collector, Tracy Kennedy; and Clerk/Registrar of Voters-Recorder, Rebecca Martinez. The Sheriff's Office and staff provide court protection, jail administration, and coroner service for all of Madera County with its total population of approximately 156,000 residents. The Sheriff provides police patrol and detective services to

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2646-500: The establishment of Madera County. The Madera County Sheriff's Department employed the first woman in California to die in the line of duty as a sworn law enforcement officer—Tulare native Lucille Helm (1914–1959). For 15 years, the Madera housewife and mother of four worked on call as a "matron" assisting with female transfers. The region now known as Madera County was originally the territory of several Native American tribes, notably

2709-417: The federal government to prolong the guest worker program beyond its original expiration in 1964. Despite the program's conclusion, labor migration continued, and by the end of the century, Madera County had become increasingly dependent on a migrant workforce. As of the 1990s, this workforce was predominantly composed of Mixtecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, numbering an estimated 5,000 individuals. Madera County

2772-557: The freeway portion was extended several miles beyond Fresno in both directions. Also in the late 1990s and early 2000s in Atascadero, the old SR 41 alignment used to cut through downtown by going north on El Camino Real and turning right onto West Mall. Then it continued past the Atascadero Colony Building and crossed the 1921 Atascadero Creek Bridge before turning left onto Capistrano Avenue. It then went under

2835-411: The future, Government, Health and Education and Professional Sectors are forecast to be the fastest growing employment sectors. Madera County is heavily invested in permanent crops, with almonds as the leading commodity, followed by grapes and pistachios . This area also places significant emphasis on cattle ranching and pollination services, particularly for almond cultivation, both ranking among

2898-542: The industry recovered when a new sawmill in North Fork was built, which used logging trucks and advanced equipment for deeper access into the Sierra National Forest . However, in the early 1990s, tighter government rules reduced forest yields, hurting the mill's profits. This downturn led to the end of Madera County's logging era in February 1994, when the last log was processed. Madera County's employment sectors are

2961-440: The interchange between those two freeways. Likewise, there is no direct connector between the northbound SR 41 and the southbound SR 99. Drivers must exit at Jensen Avenue, head east on Jensen until its junction with SR 99 a half-mile east of SR 41, and then make the southbound transition onto SR 99. SR 41 continues north into downtown Fresno, then intersects SR 180 at a section of the latter route that links SR 41 to both SR 99 to

3024-527: The junction and in Cholame to pay tribute to the actor. A memorial to Dean was erected in 1977 near the Jack Ranch Cafe (then Stella's Country Kitchen) by a retired Japanese businessman from Kobe , Seita Ohnishi, costing $ 13,000 at the time. The monument is made of stainless steel and surrounds a tree of heaven . In particular, Ohnishi was fond of Dean's movie East of Eden , inspiring him to fund

3087-495: The junction of the Sierra Nevada batholith with pre-Cretaceous schist and slate, stretched from Grub Gulch to Hildreth . Grub Gulch, located near the end of Highway 49 , was a gold rush town renowned for its easily accessible gold. Initially, Grub Gulch was a simple shanty town of tents, but it blossomed into a bustling community in the late 1880s, spurred by successful placer mining in nearby streams. At its peak,

3150-464: The lack of freeway access. For SR 41, the plan is to upgrade it so the highway is a continuous freeway from I-5 north to Fresno County. However, Kings County voters have shown little interest in passing any transportation taxes to fund these projects. 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

3213-561: The memorial, which was designed in such a way to reflect both the beautiful and unfinished nature of the actor's life. California State Route 41 State Route 41 ( SR 41 ) is a state highway in the U.S. State of California , connecting the Central Coast with the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada . Its southern terminus is at the Cabrillo Highway ( SR 1 ) in Morro Bay , and its northern terminus

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3276-638: The mid-20th century, Madera County's High Sierra regions became prominent for their significant tungsten deposits, leading to extensive mining activities near Mammoth Lakes , Central Camp , and Fish Camp . One notable example, the Strawberry Tungsten Mine, was valued at $ 1 million in 1955 and had the capacity to process 310 metric tons of ore daily by 1981. However, tungsten mining in the Sierra Nevada faced challenges due to harsh winter conditions and intense competition from low-cost tungsten imports from China. These challenges were part of

3339-415: The national average, indicating a notable income inequality within the county. In terms of housing, Madera County offers relatively more affordable options compared to the rest of California, with a median gross rent of $ 1,189 against the state's $ 1,870. The homeownership rate in Madera County is 69.0%, which is higher than California's rate of 55.8%. The labor force participation rate in Madera County

3402-410: The new U.S. Route 466 . By the 1950s, the short piece of US 466 (Route 125) between Creston and Atascadero had not yet been paved, and so US 466 was moved to the longer but better road via Paso Robles, replacing SR 41 to Paso Robles and overlapping US 101 to Atascadero. As SR 41 had not been signed over the unpaved road west of Paso Robles, it was truncated to Cholame. US 466 was eliminated in

3465-490: The region's first major lumber operation with a steam mill near Nelder Grove . They built a record-setting 65 mi (105 km) long log flume to Madera to float finished lumber to market. Although it ran out of money in 1874, it was restructured and operated at a profit for the next four decades. During the Great Depression , Madera County's lumber industry and logging railroads ceased operations. In 1941,

3528-429: The southern entrance to Yosemite National Park . Inside the park, state routes are federally maintained and are not included in the state route logs. Although there is an "End SR 41" sign south of the park's entrance, state routes within the park may still be signed at intersections. The highway continues as Wawona Road north to Wawona and Yosemite West before turning east to pass through Wawona Tunnel . Tunnel View

3591-488: The start and end postmiles in each county are given in the county column. Madera County, California Madera County ( / m ə ˈ d ɛər ə / ), officially the County of Madera , is a county located at the geographic center of the U.S. state of California . It features a varied landscape, encompassing the eastern San Joaquin Valley and the central Sierra Nevada , with Madera serving as

3654-860: The state, and were beginning to filter northwards here along with other Mexican indigenous agricultural laborers to work in the county's farms. Madera County is mostly covered by the State Center Community College District centered on Fresno City College in Fresno . Other districts with territory within Madera County also include the West Hills Community College District and the Merced Community College District . School districts include: Unified: Secondary: Elementary: The Government of Madera County

3717-416: The top five local agricultural sectors. In 2022, Madera County's overall gross crop production was valued at $ 1.9 billion. The county is renowned for its agricultural prowess, holding state rankings of #1 in fig production, #4 in both almonds and nuts, #4 in grape production (specifically the raisin variety), and #4 in pistachios. In the 1990s Mixtec farmworkers were a large presence in the southern part of

3780-463: The town boasted five saloons, a general store, a post office, and a boarding house. Remarkably, out of the $ 1.35 million worth of gold extracted from Madera County, nearly $ 1 million originated from Grub Gulch. By the 1950s, gold production had significantly dropped, primarily from dredging operations along the Fresno , Chowchilla , and San Joaquin Rivers with almost no production after 1959. In

3843-538: The unincorporated areas of the county, which contain approximately 70,000 residents, or 45% of Madera County's total population. The Sheriff's main station and offices are in the City of Madera. There are two Sheriff's substations: Oakhurst, population 3,000, and The Madera Ranchos, population 12,000, both on Highway 41 to Yosemite National Park in the Sierras. The municipal police departments within Madera County are Madera,

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3906-480: The war, he moved to California and became Hollister's accountant and secretary on the latter's San Justo Ranch surrounding the present city of Hollister . When that property was subdivided , the two bought the Cholame land. Jack married Hollister's daughter, Lucy Ellen (Nellie) in 1870 and became the largest wool grower in Central California , later switching to cattle and agriculture. Jack organized

3969-526: The west, and to SR 168 to the east. North of Fresno, the route crosses the San Joaquin River, and enters Madera County near Valley Children's Hospital before reverting to a two-lane highway. 8.5 miles (13.7 km) further north, SR 41 intersects with SR 145 , before entering California's Sierra-Nevada mountain range. SR 41 continues through the towns of Coarsegold and Oakhurst , where it intersects with SR 49 . SR 41 then heads north to

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