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Kerman, CA

Frequently asked questions

Kerman, CA

Kerman (formerly Collis) is a city at the intersection of State Route 180 and State Route 145 in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 13,544 at the 2010 census. Kerman is located 15 miles (24 km) west of Fresno, at an elevation of 220 feet (67 m).

Around 1891, the Southern Pacific Railroad constructed a new line between Tracy and Fresno. A watering tank and pump on that line was the beginning of Kerman, which was christened Collis in honor of the President of the railroad, Collis Potter Huntington. The first inhabitant, the caretaker of the pump and tank, kept the tank full of water for the thirsty engines with their long and lumbering trains. After some months, he resigned from his job, not because of the work, he said, but because it was too lonesome and he was tired of being a hermit. He said he never saw anyone but the train crews and they were always in too big a hurry to carry on a conversation.

On August 3, 1892, the train bandits Chris Evans, John Sontag, and George Contant robbed a Southern Pacific train at Collis. Contant went to Folsom State Prison for the crime. Evans and John Sontag became fugitives for ten months before they were captured in 1893 in what is called the Battle of Stone Corral. John Sontag died of his wounds in custody, and Chris Evans was also sent to Folsom upon his conviction of the crime. 

As a speculative venture, the old and very rich Bank of California purchased a huge tract of land in every County of California. The arid, barren land around Kerman seemed to be a good venture, so that happened to be the allotment for Fresno County.

After the death of its promoter, the bank became insolvent and its property was liquidated. The property here attracted the attention of two Los Angeles capitalists, William G. Kerckhoff and Jacob Mansar, who saw a chance to purchase a plentiful water supply from the newly constructed Enterprise Canal, which had its source in the Kings River. The men combined the first three letters of each of their names and christened the area "Kerman." They pitched the property to Scandinavians and Germans settled in the Midwest.

The Collis post office was opened in 1894, closed in 1899, re-established in 1904, and renamed Kerman in 1906. Kerman was incorporated in 1946. The independent Kerman Telephone Company retired its four-position manual telephone switchboard, described by a state telephone association as the last of its kind in California, in 1991. 

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), all of it land.

Kerman gives importance to health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Kerman Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Ironfit Fitness, Sports & Fitness, and Adult Programs. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Kerman, such as the Skaggs Bridge Park and the Trini's Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Kerman, CA are Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, and China Peak Mountain Resort.

Population: 13,544 (2010). Area code: 559. Elevation: 220 ft (67 m). Area: 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2). ZIP Code: 93630.

FAQs

Is Kerman, CA a good place to live?

Living in Kerman offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Kerman, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Kerman and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Kerman are above average.

Is Kerman, CA safe?

The crime rate in Kerman is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest. However, at 21 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Kerman is 1 in 48. Based on FBI crime data, Kerman is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Kerman has a crime rate that is higher than 61% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

How did Kerman, CA get its name?

In 1900, William G. Kerckhoff and Jacob Mansar purchased some 3,027 acres of land from the Bank of California. These men formed the Fresno Irrigated Farms Company. In 1906, Collis was renamed Kerman from the men's names Kerckhoff and Mansar.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Kerman

Kerman Recreation and Community Services Department

Ironfit Fitness

Sports & Fitness 

Adult Programs

Skaggs Bridge Park 

Trini's Park

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Forestiere Underground Gardens

China Peak Mountain Resort

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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