Old Town Clovis
Don’t be fooled by its name, Old Town Clovis is anything but an old, small western town. Sure it is historic and quaint, but it’s also bustling with restaurants, shops, and new construction. This flurry of activity could in part be due to the younger demographic infiltrating the area. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the median age in Clovis was 34 in 2018. Even the city is surprised by all of the growth. Shawn Miller, business development manager for the city of Clovis, said, “We couldn’t have planned all this.”
Clovis is located next to the city of Fresno, in the northeast quadrant of the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area, at the foothills of the Sierra National Forest. Clovis is conveniently located to many highways and has a variety of transportation options that are usually reserved for larger cities. 45 years ago, Clovis was known for its thousands of acres of wheat and semi-arid climate. Due to its little rainfall throughout the year, renewable energy in the form of solar panels is becoming popular in the area. Giant panel systems can be installed in farmlands that have open spaces. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2018 population was 95,631 people.
So how did Clovis become the city that we know today? The City of Clovis began as a freight stop along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad in the 1890s and has a long history as a western town. The City of Clovis was named after Clovis M. Cole, a man who spent nearly all of his life in the area. Clovis was aptly nicknamed the “King of Wheat” of the United States during the 1880s-1890s because he farmed 50,000 acres of wheat. Clovis Cole sold $4,000 worth of land to Marcus Pollasky in gold coin to establish the township of Clovis. In return, there was a local train stop named after Clovis, since there were already multiple stops in the area named “Coal” or “Cole.” In downtown, the Clovis Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Clovis. This museum displays and maintains pictures and artifacts of Clovis M. Cole and is open to visitors all year long.
It wasn’t until 1912 when Clovis was incorporated as a city. During this time, Richard Norris, a successful banker from England constructed a stately brick-stucco bank in Clovis, but in 1924 the bank was robbed. The two robbers escaped with $31,000 and sparked a nationwide manhunt. One of Clovis’ most notorious criminal events was the 1924 First State Bank robbery. See the full story HERE, it’s fantastic!
The Clovis “Way of Life” lives on today in the city’s street festivals, including Big Hat Days, ClovisFest, and a weekly farmers market. Big Hat Days is a two-day event and one of the largest craft shows in all of California. There’s something for every member of the family, whatever their age. There are mouth-watering sweets, carnival areas with ponies, and a beer garden for the parents. ClovisFest is another family-friendly event held every October in Clovis. It draws thousands of people to Old Town Clovis and kicks off with a hot air balloon show. In fact, Clovis’ festivals, parades, and rodeo attract and delight visitors far and near each year. The Clovis Rodeo was started more than 100 years ago as a celebration of the city’s western way of life. Because of its small-town values and big-city amenities, Clovis continues to be a sought-after location for residents and businesses alike.
There is no shortage of things to do and see year-round, so it comes as no surprise that Nerdwallet.com named Clovis, California as the #1 city in California to raise a young family. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the time spent enjoying the local museums or taking day trips to the mountains or seaside. Also important among families is school rankings. Clovis Unified School District has an overall grade of “A” and is #1 “Best Public Schools” in Fresno County. Not only is it a great, safe place to raise a family, but it’s just as well-liked among Millenials and retirees. As of the latest U.S. Census, people aged 65 and over make up 10.9 percent of the population of the city. Retirees enjoy Clovis’ world-class arts scene, which includes museums, galleries and performing art centers, as well as its outdoor recreational activities and beautiful gardens. Not to mention, the mild climate draws seniors and a younger demographic from all over the country, promising sunshine-filled days of exploring California’s natural beauty.
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