Clovis, Residential city in Fresno County, California
Clovis is a residential city in Fresno County, California, sitting east of downtown Fresno along several main roads. The streets follow a grid pattern, with smaller parks and housing blocks of low buildings and scattered commercial areas.
The city began in 1890 as a rail station for livestock and grain along the Central Pacific Railroad line through the San Joaquin Valley. Farming and dairy operations shaped the area well into the 20th century before housing development increased.
The central area carries a name honoring a French monarch remembered in early American history, given after a major military figure. Many streets and public squares today carry names of local settler families and early farm owners, some of whose houses still stand.
Most shops and restaurants lie along Shaw Avenue and Clovis Avenue, which run parallel through the city. Parking is usually found directly in front of individual buildings, and streets are wide enough for cars and bicycles.
Many buildings in the older downtown quarter use red bricks originally made in local kilns west of the city. Some sidewalks still carry stamps from around 1920 showing the name of the construction company.
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