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| settlement_type = [[Census-designated place]]
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| image_caption = Silver Top Lodge, Fish Camp, 1940s
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| image_map = File:Mariposa County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Fish Camp Highlighted 0624218.svg
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'''Fish Camp''' (formerly '''Happy Camp''' and '''Berry's Fish Camp''')<ref name=CGN /> is a [[census-designated place]]<ref>{{gnis|2583013}}</ref> in [[Mariposa County, California|Mariposa County]], [[California]], United States.<ref name=gnis /> It is located {{convert|18|mi|km|0}} east of [[Mariposa, California|Mariposa]],<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|773}}</ref> at an elevation of {{convert|5062|ft}}.<ref name=gnis /> The population was 49 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020"/> The ZIP Code is 93623, and the community is inside [[area code 559]].
Known for its logging history and as a gateway to [[Yosemite]], it's evolved into a hub of hospitality since the 19th century. Key attractions include the historic [[Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad]] and the modern Tenaya Lodge, showcasing its transition from a logging town to a tourist destination.
The Fish Camp post office opened in 1924, closed in 1933, and re-opened in 1939.<ref name=CGN /> The name comes from a fish hatchery at the place.<ref name=CGN />
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===Climate===
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{convert|71.6|F}}. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Fish Camp has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=83840&cityname=Fish+Camp%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Fish Camp, California]</ref> Fish Camp, located around a mile above sea level, is renowned for its seasonal snowfall, frequently indicating the region's snow line.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19390107.2.27&srpos=13&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22------- |title=Eight inches solid snow at fish camp |newspaper=Madera Tribune |volume=LXXIII |number=55 |date=1939-01-07 |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref> Nearby, the Goat Meadow Snowplay Area in the [[Sierra National Forest]], just north of Fish Camp, attracts visitors for sledding and cross-country skiing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yosemitethisyear.com/snow-fun-here%E2%80%99s-where-to-snow-play-in-and-around-yosemite |title=Goat Meadow Snowplay Area |publisher=Southern Yosemite Visitors Bureau |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref>
{{Weather box
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| location = South Entrance Yosemite National Park, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present)
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| Oct low F = 38.0
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| year low F =
| Jan record low F = -3
| Feb record low F = 1
| Mar record low F = 1
| Apr record low F = 12
| May record low F = 15
| Jun record low F = 24
| Jul record low F = 31
| Aug record low F = 30
| Sep record low F = 23
| Oct record low F = 14
| Nov record low F = 7
| Dec record low F = -5
| year record low F = -5
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| Oct precipitation inch = 2.22
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.29
| Dec precipitation inch = 6.84
| year precipitation inch =
| Jan snow inch = 20.8
| Feb snow inch = 23.6
| Mar snow inch = 25.9
| Apr snow inch = 12.4
| May snow inch = 1.3
| Jun snow inch = 0.1
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.3
| Nov snow inch = 6.1
| Dec snow inch = 17.4
| year snow inch =
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.4
| Feb precipitation days = 8.4
| Mar precipitation days = 9.5
| Apr precipitation days = 6.2
| May precipitation days = 5.4
| Jun precipitation days = 1.2
| Jul precipitation days = 0.8
| Aug precipitation days = 0.8
| Sep precipitation days = 1.6
| Oct precipitation days = 3.9
| Nov precipitation days = 6.1
| Dec precipitation days = 8.7
| year precipitation days = 62.0
| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=hnx
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = March 22, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00048380&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}
===Ecology===
[[File:The Railroad Fire extended north to Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures in Fish Camp, which was preserved through fire protection efforts.jpg|thumb|The forest is recovering from the 2017 [[Railroad Fire]], which burned up to Fish Camp's southern border.]]
Fish Camp is home to several protected species designated by their Federal Special Status (FSS). These include avian species such as the [[Spotted owl|California Spotted Owl]] (''Strix occidentalis occidentalis''), the [[Great grey owl|Great Gray Owl]] (''Strix nebulosa''), and the [[American goshawk|Northern Goshawk]] (''Accipiter gentilis''). The area also supports nocturnal mammals like the [[Pallid bat|Pallid Bat]] (''Antrozous pallidus''), [[Townsend's big-eared bat|Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat]] (''Corynorhinus townsendii''), and the [[Western Red Bat]] (''Lasiurus blossevillii''). Additionally, terrestrial mammals such as the [[Sierra Nevada red fox|Sierra Nevada Red Fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes necator''), [[American Marten]] (''Martes americana''), and the [[Fisher (animal)|Pacific Fisher]] (''Martes pennanti pacifica'') are present.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-A13-PURL-gpo36690/pdf/GOVPUB-A13-PURL-gpo36690.pdf | title = Fish Camp Project Final Environmental Impact Statement, Madera & Mariposa Counties, California; Sierra National Forest; Bass Lake Ranger District | publisher = USDA Forest Service | access-date = 2024-02-15}}</ref>
== History ==
In the latter half of the 19th century, Fish Camp, located near Yosemite Valley, developed significantly due to various economic activities. The town's growth was driven by the logging industry and later, tourists bound for Yosemite.
=== Stagecoach Era ===
Fish Camp's history begins with the opening of the Wawona [[stagecoach]] road to [[Yosemite Valley]] in 1875. It became a vital traveler's stop, and a target for stage robbers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Camping Trip Of 1880 Gives Colorful Picture Of Oldtime Yosemite Area |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19670926.2.150&srpos=4&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22stage+coach%22------- |work=Madera Tribune |volume=76 |number=94 |date=26 September 1967 |accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Debby |title=History Mystery #94: The Case of the Missing Maps |url=https://sierranewsonline.com/history-mystery-94-the-case-of-the-missing-maps/ |website=Sierra News Online |date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stage Robbers Arrested |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MCS18850530.2.28&srpos=4&e=------188-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22------- |work=Merced County Sun |volume=XV |issue=40 |date=May 30, 1885 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref>
=== Logging ===
The first permanent settlements in Fish Camp were in support of the logging industry.
The [[Madera Sugar Pine Company|Madera Sugar Pine Logging Company]] heavily exploited the surrounding forests to meet the growing construction demands for lumber in late 19th century California.<ref>{{cite news |title=Start New Camp At Sugar Pine |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19160327.2.43&srpos=9&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22logging%22------- |work=Madera Tribune |volume=XXIV |number=125 |date=27 March 1916 |accessdate= }}</ref> The logging activities not only transformed the local landscape but also created pastures that were later used by sheepherders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fish Camp: Yosemite National Park's Southern Gateway |url=https://www.yosemite.com/yosemite-mariposa-county-region/central-mariposa-county/fish-camp/ |website=Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref> During this period, Fish Camp was also known as “Happy Camp,” a nickname derived from a red-light district located to the south of the current town center, catering to loggers and mill workers from the [[Sugar Pine, California|Sugar Pine]] mill.<ref name="Johnston 1968">{{Cite book |last=Johnston |first=Hank |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/239958 |title=Thunder in the Mountains: The Life and Times of Madera Sugar Pine |publisher=Stauffer Publishing |year=1968 |isbn=0-87046-017-X |edition=Second Edition (Revised) |location=Costa Mesa, Calif. |oclc=239958}}</ref>{{rp|76–79}}
Bootleggers ran booze out of Fish Camp during the [[Prohibition in the United States|prohibition years]] to meet demand from the loggers and mill workers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fish Camp is Clean Says Owner |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MM19250808.2.4&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22------- |work=Madera Mercury |number=106 |date=8 August 1925 |accessdate= }}</ref>
=== Lodging and Hospitality ===
[[File:Fish-Camp-Lodge-1904-1918.jpg|thumb|Construction of Fish Camp Lodge, 1904.]][[File:Fish-camp-beerys.jpg|thumb|Beery's Fish Camp Lodge.]][[File:Silver Tip Lodge, Fish Camp, California (76432).jpg|thumb|Silver Top Lodge postcard.]]
Fish Camp has served as a mountain stopover for travelers heading to Yosemite for more than a century.
In 1883, Albert Phillip, a prominent local entrepreneur, established a two-story hotel featuring 12 bedrooms, along with a kitchen, dining room, and parlor. In addition to his hotel, Phillip ran a freight service connecting Raymond and Yosemite Valley and transported ore from the nearby Star Mine at Mt. Raymond to [[North Fork, California|North Fork]] using teams of ten animals.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Eastern Madera County Area |url=https://townsquarepublications.com/about-the-eastern-madera-county-area/ |publisher=Town Square Publications |accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area |url=https://www.mariposacounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/5664/FC-Appendix?bidId= |publisher=Mariposa County |accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref> By 1925, Charles Beery had taken over the property in Fish Camp, developing it into a resort.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mariposacounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/5664/FC-Appendix?bidId= |title=Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area |publisher=Mariposa County |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref> However, Beery's Paradise Lodge was plagued by several fires, the last of which occurred in 1942. Following this, the property was sold to the H.J. Baker Real Estate Company in 1943.
The new owners constructed The Silver Tip Lodge, which remained in operation for 35 years until it was destroyed by arson in 1981.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19460429.2.55&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22silver+tip+lodge%22------- |title=Banquet Opens Silver Tip Lodge |newspaper=Madera Tribune |volume=LIV |number=51 |date=1946-04-29 |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/documents/psoe_2018_posters/Fire%20and%20Ice.pdf |title=Fire and Ice: The Story of the History and Prehistory of Fish Camp |publisher=Fresno State |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref> The lodge was famous for its community events, including an annual [[turkey shoot]] and barbecues featuring locally sourced bear.<ref>{{cite news |title=ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT SET AT FISHCAMP SUNDAY |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19501108.2.63&srpos=8&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22silver+tip%22------- |newspaper=Madera Tribune |volume=59 |number=188 |date=November 8, 1950 |access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hamill to Play Barbecue Host |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19491110.2.80&srpos=20&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22silver+tip%22------- |newspaper=Madera Tribune |volume=17 |number=110 |date=November 10, 1949 |access-date=}}</ref>
In 1990, the [[Marriott International|Marriott Corporation]] opened the Tenaya Lodge, a 242-room luxury resort, enhancing the region's hospitality offerings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SRPD19900421.1.40&srpos=1&e=------199-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22tenaya+lodge%22+fish+camp----1990--- |title=Marriott to open near Yosemite |newspaper=Press Democrat |volume=133 |number=182 |date=1990-04-21 |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref> Currently, it is operated by [[Delaware North]], a company specializing in park services.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://media.delawarenorth.com/tenaya-lodge-at-yosemite-fact-sheet/ |title=Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fact Sheet |date=2017-03-16 |publisher=Delaware North |access-date=2024-01-21}}</ref>
==Demographics==
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There were 153 housing units at an average density of {{convert|168.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 20 (64.5%) were owner-occupied, and 11 (35.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 0%. 35 people (59.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 24 people (40.7%) lived in rental housing units.
== Attractions ==
=== Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad ===
The [[Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad]] is a historic narrow gauge railroad near Fish Camp. Operating since 1967, it features steam locomotives and operates as a tourist attraction along the former route of the [[Madera Sugar Pine Company|Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Old Steam Locomotive Begins Journey |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19661129.2.10&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22logging%22+------- |work=Madera Tribune |volume=75 |number=139 |date=29 November 1966 |accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Real Train Surprises Fish Camp Visitors |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19670926.2.169&srpos=6&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22fish+camp%22+%22logging%22+------- |work=Madera Tribune |volume=76 |number=94 |date=26 September 1967 |accessdate=January 27, 2024}}</ref>
== External links ==
*[http://www.ymsprr.com/ Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad]
*[https://yosemitetrails.com/ Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures]
*[https://www.visittenaya.com/ Tenaya Lodge]
==References==
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{{authority control}}
[[Category:Census-designated places in California]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Mariposa County, California]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Sierra Nevada (United States)]]
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