Fish Camp, California

Coordinates: 37°28′43″N 119°38′26″W / 37.47861°N 119.64056°W / 37.47861; -119.64056
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Fish Camp
Census-designated place
Silver Top Lodge, Fish Camp, 1940s
Silver Top Lodge, Fish Camp, 1940s
Location in Mariposa County, California
Location in Mariposa County, California
Fish Camp is located in California
Fish Camp
Fish Camp
Fish Camp is located in the United States
Fish Camp
Fish Camp
Coordinates: 37°28′43″N 119°38′26″W / 37.47861°N 119.64056°W / 37.47861; -119.64056
Country United States
State California
CountyMariposa
Area
[1]
 • Total
0.402 sq mi (1.04 km2)
 • Land0.400 sq mi (1.04 km2)
 • Water0.002 sq mi (0.005 km2)  0.50%
Elevation
[2]
5,062 ft (1,543 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total
49
 • Density122.5/sq mi (47.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
93623
GNIS feature IDs260142[2]
2583013[4]
FIPS code06-24218

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.

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]

Tenaya Lodge, a hotel in Fish Camp

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 South Entrance Yosemite National Park, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 73
(23) 		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) 46.1
(7.8) 		46.8
(8.2) 		49.6
(9.8) 		55.9
(13.3) 		64.2
(17.9) 		73.8
(23.2) 		81.2
(27.3) 		80.8
(27.1) 		75.6
(24.2) 		64.2
(17.9) 		52.6
(11.4) 		45.1
(7.3) 		61.3
(16.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 36.8
(2.7) 		37.2
(2.9) 		39.5
(4.2) 		43.8
(6.6) 		51.3
(10.7) 		59.5
(15.3) 		66.4
(19.1) 		65.6
(18.7) 		60.7
(15.9) 		51.6
(10.9) 		42.5
(5.8) 		36.1
(2.3) 		49.3
(9.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 27.6
(−2.4) 		27.6
(−2.4) 		29.3
(−1.5) 		31.6
(−0.2) 		38.4
(3.6) 		45.2
(7.3) 		51.6
(10.9) 		50.4
(10.2) 		45.8
(7.7) 		38.0
(3.3) 		31.4
(−0.3) 		26.1
(−3.3) 		36.9
(2.7)
Record low °F (°C) −3
(−19) 		1
(−17) 		1
(−17) 		12
(−11) 		15
(−9) 		24
(−4) 		31
(−1) 		30
(−1) 		23
(−5) 		14
(−10) 		7
(−14) 		−5
(−21) 		−5
(−21)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 7.97
(202) 		7.08
(180) 		5.48
(139) 		3.32
(84) 		1.82
(46) 		0.53
(13) 		0.20
(5.1) 		0.11
(2.8) 		0.47
(12) 		2.22
(56) 		3.29
(84) 		6.84
(174) 		39.33
(997.9)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 20.8
(53) 		23.6
(60) 		25.9
(66) 		12.4
(31) 		1.3
(3.3) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.3
(0.76) 		6.1
(15) 		17.4
(44) 		107.9
(273.31)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.4 8.4 9.5 6.2 5.4 1.2 0.8 0.8 1.6 3.9 6.1 8.7 62.0
Source: NOAA[11][12]

Ecology

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 California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), the Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa), and the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). The area also supports nocturnal mammals like the Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus), Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), and the Western Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii). Additionally, terrestrial mammals such as the Sierra Nevada Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), American Marten (Martes americana), and the Pacific Fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica) are present.[13]

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.[14][15][16]

Logging

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.[17] The logging activities not only transformed the local landscape but also created pastures that were later used by sheepherders.[18] 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.[19]: 76–79 

Bootleggers ran booze out of Fish Camp during the prohibition years to meet demand from the loggers and mill workers.[20]

Lodging and Hospitality

Construction of Fish Camp Lodge, 1904.
Beery's Fish Camp Lodge.
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 using teams of ten animals.[21][22] By 1925, Charles Beery had taken over the property in Fish Camp, developing it into a resort.[23] 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.[24][25] The lodge was famous for its community events, including an annual turkey shoot and barbecues featuring locally sourced bear.[26][27]

In 1990, the Marriott Corporation opened the Tenaya Lodge, a 242-room luxury resort, enhancing the region's hospitality offerings.[28] Currently, it is operated by Delaware North, a company specializing in park services.[29]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
U.S. Decennial Census[30]

The 2010 United States Census[31] 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.[32][33]

References

  1. ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp
  3. ^ a b "P1. Race – Fish Camp CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp Census Designated Place
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fish Camp, California
  7. ^ "Delaware North acquires Yosemite lodge - Buffalo". Buffalo Business First. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  8. ^ Climate Summary for Fish Camp, California
  9. ^ "Eight inches solid snow at fish camp". Madera Tribune. Vol. LXXIII, no. 55. 1939-01-07. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  10. ^ "Goat Meadow Snowplay Area". Southern Yosemite Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  11. ^ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Fish Camp Project Final Environmental Impact Statement, Madera & Mariposa Counties, California; Sierra National Forest; Bass Lake Ranger District" (PDF). USDA Forest Service. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  14. ^ "Camping Trip Of 1880 Gives Colorful Picture Of Oldtime Yosemite Area". Madera Tribune. Vol. 76, no. 94. 26 September 1967. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  15. ^ Carter, Debby (January 8, 2021). "History Mystery #94: The Case of the Missing Maps". Sierra News Online. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Stage Robbers Arrested". Merced County Sun. Vol. XV, no. 40. May 30, 1885. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Start New Camp At Sugar Pine". Madera Tribune. Vol. XXIV, no. 125. 27 March 1916.
  18. ^ "Fish Camp: Yosemite National Park's Southern Gateway". Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Fish Camp is Clean Says Owner". Madera Mercury. No. 106. 8 August 1925.
  21. ^ "About the Eastern Madera County Area". Town Square Publications. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area". Mariposa County. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  23. ^ "Historical Preservation in Fish Camp Area". Mariposa County. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  24. ^ "Banquet Opens Silver Tip Lodge". Madera Tribune. Vol. LIV, no. 51. 1946-04-29. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  25. ^ "Fire and Ice: The Story of the History and Prehistory of Fish Camp" (PDF). Fresno State. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  26. ^ "ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT SET AT FISHCAMP SUNDAY". Madera Tribune. Vol. 59, no. 188. November 8, 1950. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  27. ^ "Hamill to Play Barbecue Host". Madera Tribune. Vol. 17, no. 110. November 10, 1949.
  28. ^ "Marriott to open near Yosemite". Press Democrat. Vol. 133, no. 182. 1990-04-21. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  29. ^ "Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fact Sheet". Delaware North. 2017-03-16. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  30. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Old Steam Locomotive Begins Journey". Madera Tribune. Vol. 75, no. 139. 29 November 1966. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  33. ^ "Real Train Surprises Fish Camp Visitors". Madera Tribune. Vol. 76, no. 94. 26 September 1967. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
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