A Bit Of History

The Charming city of Clovis, known as the "Gateway to the Sierras", sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Fresno County.
Offering a small town atmosphere combining the memories of the past with the amenities of the present. Fine dining, cozy cafes and coffee shops. Antique shops filled with treasures of the past and specialty shops line the beautiful cobble stone streets.

Clovis began as a railroad station with the stop being named Clovis, after Clovis Cole, who sold land for the railroad station. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad began construction on July 4, 1891 and ended near Friant on January 20, 1892. The railroad was mainly built for the Fresno flume Irrigation Company. This company built a log flume that was 42 miles long. It started at a site now under Shaver Dam, elevation 5275 feet, and traveled 42 miles into the valley, dropping 4900 feet in elevation. the flume ended on the south side of Fifth Street, east of Clovis Avenue. The flume and lumber company closed in 1914, but Clovis kept growing and is now often referred to as the "Fun Capital of the Valley".

Clovis is packed full of fun festivals, events, and activities to do in and around the area. You won't want to miss the Clovis Rodeo, which is one of the City's most well known attractions. The rodeo began in 1914 as a community picnic called "Festival Day" sponsored by the Clovis Women's Club. the picnic was held on Pollasky between fourth and the area of the old lumberyard. This is where the Rodeo is still held each year on the last weekend of April. There is a parade on Saturday morning, and rodeo events such as roping and bull riding are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Rodeo Grounds. This is a major event for Clovis, with men and women coming from all parts of the U.S.A. to participate.

The "Big Hat Days" which began in 1969 continues to be an ever growing, popular event which takes place on the first weekend in April. Events include crafts, arts, music, car shows, food and fun. This all happens in Old Town Clovis, which is west of Clovis Avenue, between Third and Sixth Streets.

Listed below you will find some of the exciting events and things to do in and around Clovis.

Click here to visit the old time clovis official site and get more detailed information.

Blackbeard's Family fun Center - 5.3
A 15-acre amusement park featuring three 18-hole miniature golf courses, sil flume waterslides, slic-trac racers, bumper boats, speedway, batting cages, video arcade, pirate ship ride, Captain Kid's fun Factory, play port and ride land, picnic area, and snack bar. Open every day of the year, some attractions are seasonal. Admission is free - pay as you go for activities. 4055 North chestnut Avenue - (559) 292-4554

California State University - Fresno, California - 5.8 miles
California State University, Fresno was founded as Fresno State Normal School in 1911, became a teacher's college in 1921, and has offered advanced degrees since 1949. The university's popular nickname is "Fresno State." Our mascot is the Bulldog.
Special activities open to the public throughout the year. Click Here

Fresno Chaffee Zoological Gardens - 5.8
Located in Fresn's Roeding Park, the zoological and botanica gardens are home to nearly 700 mammals, birds, and reptiles.
879 West Belmont Avenue - (559) 621-5700 or (559) 498-2671
Open every day of the year. For more information Click Here.

Clovis/Big Dry Creek Historical Museum - 0.8 miles
The Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society maintains the Clovis Museum, located in the heart of the Old Town Clovis, CA, Business District. The museum has a beautiful display of artifacts from the Clovis township history and the families of the surrounding areas that have created our "Clovis way of life". The museum celebrates the immigrants to the area from the early 1900s, and the local natives that used the area for their livelihood. Located at 4th & Pllasky - (559) 297-8033
Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, and by special appointment. For more information Click Here.

Fig Garden Village - 6
It features more than 50 gift and specialty shops, fine fashions, and some of Fresno's best restaurants.
Palm and Shaw Ave.- (559) 226-4084 For more information Click Here.

Fresno Art Museum - 5
The Fresno area's only modern and contemporary art museum.
2233 North First Street Fresno - (559) 441-4221
For more information Click Here.

Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art, History & Science - 7.3 miles
The museum features innovative traveling and permanent exhibitions that spark curiosity and stimulate thinking.
1515 Van Ness Avenue - (559) 441-1444
For more information Click Here.

Old Town Clovis
260 Antique and collectible shops, restaurants, gift shops, clothing stores, and nail/hair care salons with a historic western flair.
On Pollasky & Fourth Streets.
For more information Click Here.

Roger Rocka's Dinner Hall
Dinner theatre featuring the Good Company Players.
The Tower District -1226 North Wishon Ave. Fresno (559) 266-9494
For more information Click Here.

Rotary Storyland and Playland
Experience your favorite fairy tales as they come to life! The area also includes 11 rides such as a train, merry-go-round, and boat rides on Lake Washington that appeal to younger children. Call for hours.
Roeding Park -890 West Belmont Avenue Fresno (559) 233-3980

Simonian Farms
Historic valley landmark since 1901, growing more than 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Antique farm equipment display.
2620 South Clovis Ave. Fresno (559) 237-2294
For more information Click Here.

Tower District
Unique art deco neighborhood with an interesting and varied selection of shops and restaurants.
Located near Wishon and Olive Avenues.

Table Mountain Rancheria Casino & Bingo
The largest gaming facility in the San Joaquin Valley.
From Fresno, take Highway 41 N. to Friant Road, 29 minutes to Table Mountain Casino, just two miles past Millerton Lake.
(800) 541-3637 For more information Click Here.

Chuck Chancy Casino and Gaming Center
Filled with 2,000 of the "Hottest" slots around and 48 table games.
711 Lucky Ln. Coarsegold, CA 1.866.7.WIN.WIN (946-946)
For more information Click Here.

Wild Water Adventure Park
Family water amusement park with more than 52 acres of grass, trees, and water fun. More than 17 rides and attractions. The West's largest wave pool, the Banzai Pipeling, The Black Hole, inner tube rides, and an Olympic-size pool. 11413 East Shaw Avenue. Clovis
Call for days and hours. (559) 299-9453
For more information Click Here.