01/16/2026
History is hiding in plain sight, in the names we give to places–but often we're unfamiliar with where those came from.
This (and in the next few), with generous assistance from the Heritage Center, we're shining a spotlight on the origin stories of many of our local communities. To keep things organized (and because it's as good a way to start as any), we'll be going in alphabetical order. Today, we feature what's behind the names of few of our local communities, A-C. (Where possible, we've included historic photos from these places.)
• Auberry – Auberry was named for Al Yarborough, one of the four hunters that named Dinkey Creek in August 1863. The spelling follows the common pronunciation of Yarbrough’s last name. Auberry's Post Office was established in 1883. Auberry school picture: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1493
• Biola - The history of this place name is contested, but one common story is that Biola was named, by William Kerckhoff who founded it in 1912, for the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.
• Big Creek – Big Creek is named for the Big Creek project of the Southern California Edison Company, begun in 1911. In the 1870s, there was a settlement known as Big Creek Flats located near the present town site. Big Creek Post Office: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1747
Big Creek power house: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1802
• Bowles – Bowles was named for Philip E Bowles, a pioneer in the area. The Post Office was open from 1904-1943.
• Burrel – Cuthbert Burrell founded the community in the 1860s when he established a 20,000 acre cattle ranch there. A railroad stop was added in 1889, and a Post Office opened in 1912. Burrel School: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1829
• Calwa – When the officials from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad established the train station and surrounding town in 1913, they used the initials from the nearby “California Wine Association” winery. The town was initially established for workers of the railroad to live in.
• Caruthers – Caruthers was named for a sheep rancher, W.A. “Billy” Caruthers. The Caruthers Post Office was established in 1891. Caruthers School: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1831
• Clovis – In 1889, Southern Pacific Railroad established a station in present-day Clovis and named it for a local wheat farmer Clovis Cole. The Post Office was established in 1895 and the city was incorporated in 1912. The first permanent school in Clovis was built in 1897. This two-story served grades first through ninth. The building was located between First and Second Street on Pollasky Ave. Funding for the building came from a bond for $5000: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1451
• Coalinga – Coalinga began its life as "Coaling Station A" in 1888, after the Southern Pacific Railroad built a line out there to transport lignite coal from the mines. According to local oral tradition, the name "Coalinga" originated as a more convenient shorthand of the original designation for the area. A Post Office was established in 1899, and the town was incorporated in 1906. Oil became an important part of the community economy in 1904-5 when a boom hit: http://digital.sjvls.org/document/1760
We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about the history of some of our local communities. Be sure to tune in again next Thursday, as we cover D!
Have more questions? Connect with the Heritage Center here: https://www.fresnolibrary.org/heritage/index.html
