Images of America: Woodlake

Known as the area “Within the Magic Circle,” the valley, which surrounds the western town of Woodlake, is rich in both natural resources, and hard working citizens proud of their heritage. Most Tulare County towns sprang up along the Southern Pacific Railroad. Woodlake, designed as a tourist town, drew together farming communities; people too busy raising fruit and cattle to create a town. Starting with Thomas Henry Davis in 1853, settlers established farms and ranches, which attracted Los Angeles millionaire, Gilbert Stevenson when he arrived in 1907. Approved by the County Board of Supervisors on October 3, 1911, the world-class tourist town, named Woodlake, sprang up out of the imagination of Gilbert Stevenson into reality. Led by the strong sales personality of its founder, Woodlake grew quickly, yet remained a western town which retains reference points to early communities visitors won’t find on signs. Visitors to Woodlake today will find Woodlakers still doing what attracted Gilbert Stevenson - raising cattle and growing citrus within protection of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills.