Madera’s audacious demand shocked Fresno

For The Madera Tribune

William Thurman, first sheriff of Madera County, was an ardent proponent of county division.

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Once upon a time, the towns of Madera and Fresno had a lot more in common than they do now. They were both founded in the 1870s, and at the time, they were both part of Fresno County. More important, however, was the fact they both aspired to be the county seat, and that is how the fight for Madera County began.

The proponents for creating Madera County won their battle in 1893, but they had been working long before that. Almost daily the county division committee peppered the Fresno County Board of Supervisors with complaints.

Maderans had to travel too far to do county business.