Madera

Madera is a city and county seat of Madera County, California, United States. It is a principal city of the Madera–Chowchilla Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Madera County, and it is located in the San Joaquin Valley. The city is also home to the Madera Unified School District.

History

Madera was founded by the California Lumber Company in 1876. The town was named after the Spanish term for lumber, reflecting the area's primary economic activity. The original town site was located 6 miles (9.7 km) to the west of the current downtown at the junction of the Fresno River and Cottonwood Creek.

Geography

Madera is located at 36°57′41″N 120°03′39″W. The city has a total area of 15.8 square miles (41 km2), all land. Madera is the location of the Madera AVA (American Viticultural Area), a designated wine grape-growing region. Wine production in the area dates back to the late 19th century.

Economy

The economy of Madera is driven largely by agriculture, with significant contributions from the lumber and wine industries. The city is also home to several manufacturing and distribution companies.

Education

The Madera Unified School District is the primary school district for the city. It operates several elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as an adult school. The city is also home to Madera Community College.

Transportation

Madera is served by the Madera Amtrak station and Madera County Area Transit. The city is also located near the junction of State Route 99 and State Route 145, providing easy access to other parts of the state.

Notable people

Several notable individuals hail from Madera, including Major League Baseball player Rex Hudler and National Football League player Zack Follett.

See also

• List of cities in California
• Madera County, California

External links

• Official website