Kerman in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sycamore Point

Photographed by Lester J Letson

1. Sycamore Point Marker

Surrounded by river rock, topped by a steel cut out of the "J R McDonald", the last steamer to make it upriver to Kerman.

Inscription. Steamboats carrying supplies bound for Millerton reached the head of navigation at Sycamore Point on the south bank of the San Joaquin River about 4 miles upstream from here (near where present day Highway 99 crosses the river). In the Spring of 1852 and for many years thereafter paddle wheel steamers made regular trips during high water years. Their cargoes were carried past Sycamore Point by wagon. The last steamer to this point was in 1911.

Erected 2025 by Kerman Chamber of Commerce; Major James D. Savage Mariposa Battalion, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 36° 49.232′ N, 120° 3.634′ W. Marker is in Kerman, California, in Fresno County. It is on North Madera Avenue north of West Barstow Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5901 N Madera Ave, Kerman CA 93630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kerman (approx. 6.9 miles away); Borden Chinese Cemetery (approx. 7.3 miles away); a different marker also named Borden Chinese Cemetery

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(approx. 7.3 miles away); Madera Zoo (approx. 9.6 miles away); Madera County Library Service (approx. 9.7 miles away); Madera to Yosemite Stage Route (approx. 9.8 miles away); Forestiere Underground Gardens (approx. 9.9 miles away); John Charles Fremont (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kerman.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Sycamore Point (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2025, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 58 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 20, 2025, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?