Fish Camp (formerly Happy Camp and Berry's Fish Camp)[5] is a census-designated place[6] in Mariposa County, California, United States.[2] It is located 18 miles (29 km) east of Mariposa,[5] at an elevation of 5,062 feet (1,543 m).[2] The population was 49 at the 2020 census.[3] The ZIP Code is 93623, and the community is inside area code 559.
Fish Camp | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location in Mariposa County, California | |
  Fish Camp  Fish Camp | |
| Coordinates: 37°28′43″N 119°38′26″W / 37.47861°N 119.64056°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Mariposa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.402 sq mi (1.04 km2) |
| • Land | 0.400 sq mi (1.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.002 sq mi (0.005 km2) 0.50% |
| Elevation | 5,062 ft (1,543 m) |
| Population (2020)[3] | |
| • Total | 49 |
| • Density | 122.5/sq mi (47.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code | 93623 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 260142[2] 2583013[4] |
| FIPS code | 06-24218 |
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.[5] The name comes from a fish hatchery at the place.[5]
Geography
Fish Camp is on California State Route 41, just south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, and 12 miles (19 km) north of Oakhurst. It is the site of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, a heritage tourist line, and Tenaya Lodge, a resort owned by Delaware North.[7] About 1 mile north of the community is the Summerdale campground, the original location of Fish Camp.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), of which 0.002 square miles (0.005 km2), or 0.50%, are water.[1] The community is in the valley of Big Creek, which flows north into Yosemite National Park, where it joins the South Fork of the Merced River near Wawona.
Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fish Camp has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[8]
Fish Camp, located around a mile above sea level, is renowned for its seasonal snowfall, frequently indicating the region's snow line.[9] Nearby, the Goat Meadow Snowplay Area in the Sierra National Forest, just north of Fish Camp, attracts visitors for sledding and cross-country skiing.[10]
| Climate data for Fish Camp, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22) |
73 (23) |
78 (26) |
83 (28) |
89 (32) |
98 (37) |
101 (38) |
102 (39) |
98 (37) |
90 (32) |
80 (27) |
78 (26) |
102 (39) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 46.3 (7.9) |
47.9 (8.8) |
50.4 (10.2) |
56.3 (13.5) |
65.1 (18.4) |
73.9 (23.3) |
82 (28) |
81.3 (27.4) |
76 (24) |
65.9 (18.8) |
54.4 (12.4) |
47.9 (8.8) |
62.3 (16.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.7 (−3.5) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
37.3 (2.9) |
43.7 (6.5) |
49.4 (9.7) |
48.5 (9.2) |
44.4 (6.9) |
37.2 (2.9) |
30.3 (−0.9) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
35.7 (2.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −3 (−19) |
1 (−17) |
3 (−16) |
12 (−11) |
15 (−9) |
24 (−4) |
31 (−1) |
30 (−1) |
23 (−5) |
14 (−10) |
5 (−15) |
−5 (−21) |
−5 (−21) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 7.74 (197) |
7.81 (198) |
5.90 (150) |
3.12 (79) |
1.78 (45) |
0.54 (14) |
0.06 (1.5) |
0.13 (3.3) |
0.70 (18) |
2.55 (65) |
4.56 (116) |
6.36 (162) |
41.25 (1,048.8) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 20.7 (53) |
20.3 (52) |
22.5 (57) |
11.1 (28) |
1.2 (3.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
6.5 (17) |
16.7 (42) |
99.5 (253) |
| Average precipitation days | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 63 |
| Source: U.S. Climate Data[11] | |||||||||||||
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
The development of the road to Yosemite Valley played a crucial role in Fish Camp's history. This led to the creation of a major route passing through Fish Camp, establishing it as a key stopover for travelers.[12][13]
Logging Industry
The first permanent settlements in Fish Camp were in support of the logging industry.
The Madera Sugar Pine Logging Company heavily exploited the surrounding forests to meet the growing construction demands for lumber in late 19th century California.[14] The logging activities not only transformed the local landscape but also created pastures that were later used by sheepherders. 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 mill.[15]: 76–79
Bootleggers ran booze out of Fish Camp during the prohibition years to meet demand from the loggers and mill workers.[16]
Lodging and Hospitality
For over a century, Fish Camp has been a hub of hospitality, welcoming those bound for Yosemite and offering a mountain getaway.
In 1883, Albert Phillip, a notable figure in Fish Camp's history, built a two-story hotel with 12 bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and parlor. Besides his hospitality venture, Phillip managed a freight service that operated between Raymond and Yosemite Valley, and he also transported ore from the Star Mine at Mt. Raymond to North Fork using teams of ten animals.[17][18]
In 1925, Charles Beery acquired property in Fish Camp and transformed it into a resort in 1925[19] Unfortunately, Beery's Paradise Lodge suffered multiple fires, with the last one occurring in 1942. In the aftermath, the Beery family sold the property to H.J. Baker Real Estate Company in 1943. Baker oversaw the construction of a new lodge between 1944 and 1945. The Silvertip Lodge, which opened in 1946, [20] also met a tragic end, destroyed by an arson fire in 1981.[21]
In 1990, Marriott opened Tenaya Lodge, a 242-room luxury resort.[22] It is now owned and managed by Yosemite concessionaire Delaware North.[23]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Decennial Census[24] | |||
The 2010 United States Census[25] reported that Fish Camp had a population of 59. The population density was 65.1 inhabitants per square mile (25.1/km2). The racial makeup of Fish Camp was 57 (96.6%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 0 (0.0%) Native American, 1 (1.7%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 0 (0.0%) from other races, and 1 (1.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3 persons (5.1%).
The Census reported that 59 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 31 households, of which 4 (12.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 12 (38.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1 (3.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1 (3.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1 (3.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 13 households (41.9%) were made up of individuals, and 6 (19.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90. There were 14 families (45.2% of all households); the average family size was 2.57.
9 people (15.3%) were under the age of 18, 4 people (6.8%) aged 18 to 24, 6 people (10.2%) aged 25 to 44, 26 people (44.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 14 people (23.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.4 males.
There were 153 housing units at an average density of 168.8 per square mile (65.2/km2), 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 Lumber Company.[26][27]
External links
References
- ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Fish Camp CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp Census Designated Place
- ^ a b c d Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 773. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp, California
- ^ "Delaware North acquires Yosemite lodge - Buffalo". Buffalo Business First. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ^ Climate Summary for Fish Camp, California
- ^ "Eight inches solid snow at fish camp". Madera Tribune. Vol. LXXIII, no. 55. 1939-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Goat Meadow Snowplay Area". Southern Yosemite Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Climate Fish Camp-California". US Climate Data. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "Camping Trip Of 1880 Gives Colorful Picture Of Oldtime Yosemite Area". Madera Tribune. Vol. 76, no. 94. 26 September 1967. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Debby (January 8, 2021). "History Mystery #94: The Case of the Missing Maps". Sierra News Online. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Start New Camp At Sugar Pine". Madera Tribune. Vol. XXIV, no. 125. 27 March 1916.
- ^ Johnston, Hank (1968). Thunder in the Mountains: The Life and Times of Madera Sugar Pine (Second Edition (Revised) ed.). Costa Mesa, Calif.: Stauffer Publishing. ISBN 0-87046-017-X. OCLC 239958.
- ^ "Fish Camp is Clean Says Owner". Madera Mercury. No. 106. 8 August 1925.
- ^ "About the Eastern Madera County Area". Town Square Publications. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area". Mariposa County. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area". Mariposa County. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Banquet Opens Silver Tip Lodge". Madera Tribune. Vol. LIV, no. 51. 1946-04-29. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Fire and Ice: The Story of the History and Prehistory of Fish Camp" (PDF). Fresno State. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Marriott to open near Yosemite". Press Democrat. Vol. 133, no. 182. 1990-04-21. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fact Sheet". Delaware North. 2017-03-16. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Fish Camp CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "Old Steam Locomotive Begins Journey". Madera Tribune. Vol. 75, no. 139. 29 November 1966. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
- ^ "Real Train Surprises Fish Camp Visitors". Madera Tribune. Vol. 76, no. 94. 26 September 1967. Retrieved January 27, 2024.}