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SANGER JUNCTION was born in 1887 when the Southern Pacific Railroad began building a rail line from Fresno across eastern Fresno County and then south to Porterville. A depot was built at a site a few miles east of Fresno. It was called Sanger Junction after Joseph Sanger, Jr., secretary of the national Railroad Yardmaster’s Association. Building lots were offered for sale and soon people began to arrive at the new town. On June 26, 1888, the post office opened. Soon, Sanger Junction was shortened to Sanger.
In the fall of 1889, the Kings River Lumber Company’s flume, the longest in the world, was finished. It began in the foothill community of Millwood and had its terminus in Sanger -- a distance of over 50 miles. The company built a finishing plant in Sanger. About this time, Valley Lumber Company, headquartered in Fresno, established an office in Sanger. The town’s newspaper, the Sanger Herald, published its first edition on May 11, 1890. The town grew quickly and in July, 1911, Sanger was incorporated.
In 1949, Sanger received recognition from the U.S. Postal Service. It was designated the “Nation’s Christmas Tree City” because of its proximity to the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park. Every year, a celebration is held at the base of the General Grant Tree. The old depot now hosts a wonderful museum and features an extensive Native American basket collection.
Historical Information from "The Heartland's Heritage", written by Catherine Rehart
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| Sanger Wagon Train Schedule | ||
| Assembly Information: | Thursday, April 12th | |
| 4:00 pm | ||
| Jackson Elementary | ||
| 3rd & Hill Streets | ||
| Participating School: | Jackson Elementary | |
| Superintendent: | Marc Johnson | |
| Evening Schedule: | 5:00 pm | Dinner |
| 6:00 -- 9:00 pm | Wagon Train Activities | |
| 9:00 pm | Camp Lights Out | |
| Departure Information: | Thursday, April 13th | |
| 9:00 am | ||
| Morning Schedule: | 6:00 am | Rise |
| 7:00 -- 8:00 am | Breakfast & Chores | |
| 8:00 -- 9:00 am | Preparation For Departure | |
| 9:00 am | Head to Clovis Rodeo Grounds! | |
Please Contact Carole Lester, Fresno Historical Society for further
details.
559.441.0862 fresnocounty150@aol.com
Check back to this page for images from
the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train as we
“Celebrate The Journey” through Fresno County!