Madera had just recovered from the infamous Alta Hotel fire when somebody conceived of an idea to draw attention from the disaster by initiating something called “Old Timers Day.”
Thus, on Oct. 31, 1931, a county-wide celebration was held to remember the community’s past. It would honor its citizens who had lived in the county since 1890.
As the day approached, an intense interest developed, according to the Madera Daily Tribune and Mercury.