Woodlake in Tulare County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Woodlake
Photographed By Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter No. 1855 E Clampus Vitus
1. Woodlake Marker
Inscription.
Woodlake. . This area for miles around was the ancestral home of the Wukchumne Yokuts until 1852 when Tulare County was established. Settlers came soon after to establish farms and cattle ranches along the north side of the Kaweah River. Floods in the 1860s caused them to move to higher grounds around what is now Woodlake. In 1872 the Wutchumna Ditch was dug to bring water through the area and a small reservoir called Bravo Lake was formed. Early in the twentieth century Gilbert Stevenson of Southern California envisioned a town near a much larger lake with tourist accommodations. In 1910 the Visalia Electric Railroad was run through Stevenson's new town. By 1912 a block square two story brick commercial building was built and streets, sidewalks, sewer and water lines were being installed, commercial and residential lots being sold and the lake greatly enlarged. But alas Gilbert Stevenson's money ran out, but the town he fathered continued to flourish. In 1941 Woodlake became an incorporated city and is a still growing center of trade for farms, citrus, and cattle ranches.
This area for miles around was the ancestral home of the Wukchumne Yokuts until 1852 when Tulare County was established. Settlers came soon after to establish farms and cattle ranches along the north side of the Kaweah River. Floods in the 1860s caused them to move to higher grounds around what is now Woodlake. In 1872 the Wutchumna Ditch was dug to bring water through the area and a small reservoir called Bravo Lake was formed. Early in the twentieth century Gilbert Stevenson of Southern California envisioned a town near a much larger lake with tourist accommodations. In 1910 the Visalia Electric Railroad was run through Stevenson's new town. By 1912 a block square two story brick commercial building was built and streets, sidewalks, sewer and water lines were being installed, commercial and residential lots being sold and the lake greatly enlarged. But alas Gilbert Stevenson's money ran out, but the town he fathered continued to flourish. In 1941 Woodlake became an incorporated city and is a still growing center of trade for farms, citrus, and cattle ranches.
Erected 2015 by Dr. Samuel Gregg George Chapter 1855 of E Clampus Vitus.
• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 17, 1852.
Location. 36° 24.842′ N, 119° 5.772′ W. Marker is in Woodlake, California, in Tulare County. Marker is on East Naranjo Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Woodlake City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodlake CA 93286, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on October 24, 2019, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2. submitted on October 31, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
