Sonora is set in the beautiful Sierra-Nevada foothills and is a wealth of history of the gold-mining days. The town is named after the Sonorans who settled there in search of gold. By 1851, Sonora was hastily incorporated as a gold mining town but has developed into a retail, cultural, commercial and government center for the area. Many of its existing buildings were built in the 1800�s. Sonora is full of historic charm and small town hospitality.
LOCATION
Sonora is located in the Sierra-Nevada foothills on highways 108 and 49. Sonora is 70 miles north of Yosemite National Park (a great vacation destination) and an easy 2-hour drive from San Francisco and the Central Valley.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Sonora can be reached via two small airports in the area-Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake Airports. The larger San Francisco International Airport is only about a 2-hour drive away. The Fresno Yosemite Airport is less than an hour and a half away. Many California highways and interstates get you to Sonora from any destination around the State. During the winter months be sure to carry chains and check with CalTrans for travel information in and around the Sierra Nevada foothills and nearby State Parks.
BRIEF HISTORY
Sonora developed in the heart of the gold mining country. In fact, it was called the �Queen of the Southern Mines�. The city was settled in 1848 by the Sonoran miners who had come from the State of Sonora in Mexico and thus the name Sonora. The Me-wok Indians used to come down for winters to the Sonora area until it got to be more populated and then they wintered elsewhere. Sonora was incorporated in 1851, which makes it one of the oldest cities in California. Sonora had a reputation as a pretty wild gold rush town. By 1849, it had a population of 5,000. In 1850, Tuolumne County was one of the first 27 counties of California and Sonora was its county seat and remains so today. It is the only incorporated city in the county.
In 1885, the Sonora Opera Hall was built to accommodate larger community gatherings due to the rising population. It was reconstructed out of the fire remains of the Star Flouring Mill. In 1985 the City acquired it and restored it into an elegant entertainment and community center.
Lumber took over after mining declined, especially when the Sierra Railroad came to town in 1899. Later, forest management changed the emphasis from logging and tourism became economically viable for Sonora. Today Sonora retains it�s historic heritage and charm, with some of its buildings from the 1800�s and narrow streets as they were in the gold rush days, making it still a popular tourist destination.
ABOUT EDUCATION
Tuolumne County serves the 8,500 children in Tuolumne County. They cater to the diversified population of children within the 12 public school districts, which includes one unified school district, two high school districts, and a community college. Tuolumne County office of Superintendent provides guidance and leadership for a strong instructional program in the schools from kindergarten through high school. There are also 4 private schools with an enrollment of over 50. Sonora has one elementary school and two high schools.
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