Let’s Talk Clovis

Let’s Talk Clovis: Clovis California in the garden of the sun

Peg Bos

Historian/Clovis Museum Contributed

We are sharing information that appeared in a brochure (printed by the Clovis Independent, 1921) and sponsored by the Clovis Booster Club. That club would eventually become the Clovis Chamber of Commerce (1930).

“No section of California has more or better or cheaper water for household or for irrigating purposes. The gravity water from the mountains and the high water level in the ground make a supply that is never failing.

Clovis has a new high school building, built within the past year, which is modern to the last word. No expense has been spared to make our school equipment keep abreast with the growth of our city. Our increase in attendance of 20 percent yearly for the past five years shows the steady growth of the community. The high school has an enrollment of 200 and a corps of twelve teachers. The grammar school has 425 pupils and twelve teachers.

All the leading churches are represented in Clovis. The Memorial Methodist building, costing $40,000, is the most recently constructed.

Clovis has a splendid Carnegie Library. Being a part of the Fresno County Library, it is possible for one to be in touch with worthwhile reading.

The banks in Clovis are doing a thriving business as indicated by their reports: The First National Bank of Clovis, $324,047.40 and The First State Bank of Clovis, $366,403.15.

The most important industry is the packing plant of the Sun-Maid Raisin Growers. This plant receives the raisins from the 11,000 acres of raisin grapes in this district and prepares them for the market, handling about 7,000 tons per year.

The fresh fruit packing industry is only a little less in importance than the raising industry. We have seventeen packing sheds in and around Clovis devoted exclusively to this enterprise.

The California Peach and Fig Growers have a packing plant where dried peaches and dried figs are received and marketed. During the year 1920, this plant handled 600 tons of peaches and 400 tons of figs.

During the year 1920, we shipped 255 cars of dried fruit, 1,100 cars of green fruit, and 335 cars of merchandise. This report shows the importance of the fruit industry.

Clovis is well supplied with civic organizations—a Booster Club with 270 members, a Woman’s Club with 80 members, and a Parent-Teachers’ Association. These are the most active. The Farm Bureau has a strong center as well. Social organizations are too numerous to mention.

The American Legion has just completed their new building at a cost of $7,500. This building is equipped with a gymnasium and shower bath, reading room and billiard room, thus affording facilities for enjoyment and recreation. Our business streets are all paved and more paving is being planned. Our business streets are being lighted with electroliers, and our remaining streets are lighted by overhead lights. Land values in the Clovis district compare favorably with any section of the San Joaquin Valley. Raw land can be had at $200 per acre. Improved orchard and vineyard land can be had for prices varying up to $1,500 per acre. Land values are governed solely by their ability to make returns. Mercantile interests are well provided for. Lumber yard, cement pipe works, granite cutting shed, two newspapers, garages, movie theater, and all the usual business places to be found in an enterprising, up-to-date city. Clovis also has a hotel which is ample to accommodate tourists and the general public. The melting snow upon the mountains above us furnishes not only water for irrigation but electric power for general use. Clovis is situated upon one of the direct lines of power, thus insuring an unlimited supply.”

The 1921 brochure identified our Clovis way of life that we continue to protect and nurture. They provided us a rich heritage.

Courtesy of Clovis Independent

In the Garden of the Sun was published in the Clovis Independent for the Clovis Booster Club in 1921.

MORTGAGE RATES AS LOW AS 4.00% APR*

■ Home Purchases ■ Refinance to save money on your current mortgage ■ Cash out available

TM

Visit valleyfirstcu.org/promotions for full details.

*All loans are subject to review and approval of credit and collateral. Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice and may vary based on creditworthiness, qualifications and collateral conditions. Certain restrictions and limitations apply. First lien, owner occupied, second home or vacation home refinance mortgage loans only. Property must reside in California. Membership eligibility requirements apply. Membership requires a Primary Share Account opened with an initial $25.00 deposit plus a $5.00 one-time membership fee, for a total of $30.00. New Accounts subject to ChexSystems. Real Estate Loan originators (MLOs) are registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). For 15-year fixed mortgage the monthly principal and interest at 4.00% (4.109% APR) would be $1,849. Assumes refinance of primary residence with excellent credit, a $250,000 loan amount and 50% LTV (Loan-to-Value) and 0% discount points. EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY