Raymond
(Wild Cat Station)
The San Joaquin Valley and Yosemite Railroad was incorporated on February 15, 1886 by the Southern Pacific Company. The 21 miletrack ran between Berenda and Raymond. At this location, a turntable allowed the locomotive to be turned around and watered if needed, for the return trip. The first passenger train arrived in March 1886. Tourists would ride the train to "Wild Cat", then continue to Yosemite by stagecoach.
At one time meat supplies ran out and wild cat carcasses could be seen hanging outside the dining room's kitchen, thus the name "Wild Cat Station." It was later renamed "Raymond" for Mr, T. Ramond of the Raymond Whitcomb Travel Association of San Francisco.
The Post Office was established on July 9, 1886, and
Raymond soon became the main freight depot for the mountain area due to increased cattle shipments, the Raymond Granite Quarry, and the supplies needed by the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company.
The Raymond train was terminated in 1946 when the line from Daulton to Raymond was abandoned.
Marker is at the intersection of Harrison Street and Road 600 also known as The Raymond Road, on the left when traveling east on Harrison Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
