Historic association pranks town with name change

For The Madera Tribune

The Sierra Historic Sites Association takes advantage of the downed “Welcome to Oakhurst” sign to put up its own Fresno Flats sign on April Fool’s Day. The association used the prank to call attention to the plight of nonprofits who have struggled during the pandemic.

---

FRESNO FLATS — On the heels of a legal battle in Yosemite National Park over the names of iconic landmarks, and the recent downing of the “Welcome to Oakhurst” town sign due to wind damage, the folks at the Sierra Historic Sites Association, who operate Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park, released a video informing the community that the association is changing the name of the town of Oakhurst, back to its original name.

In jest, they are claiming that the original name change from Fresno Flats to Oakhurst in 1912 was illegal (which may well be true) and the name must now revert back to its original name, Fresno Flats.

Even Madera County District Five Supervisor, Tom Wheeler, played along with the joke. The association launched the stunt in an effort to draw attention to the plight of nonprofits everywhere which have struggled during the pandemic.