Why you'd want to live in Madera

Madera County, officially established on May 16, 1893, holds a significant place in California’s history. However, its journey began back in 1876 when the first plots for the future Madera County seat were put up for auction. At that time, the Southern Pacific Railroad was making its mark in the San Joaquin Valley, giving rise to towns like Modesto, Merced, Minturn, Borden, and Berenda, but Madera was notably absent from this initial development. In the foothills, mining communities like Buchanan and Grub Gulch thrived, while towns like Coarsegold, Finegold, and Fresno Flats (now Oakhurst) sprouted higher in the mountains. via madera.gov