Shortly after the Gold Rush began, early settlers grew fruit and vegetables for the nearby mining camps. It's orchards still yield mountain apples and the cattle ranches continue to be productive. Cattle drives may still be seen as foothill ranchers move stock to summer pastures in the high country.

With the construction of a branch railroad line to Raymond, Ahwahnee became a way point to Yosemite Valley. There President Theodore Roosevelt lunched in route to his historic back country trip with John Muir. On that occasion, the President incurred the eternal wrath of the innkeeper's wife because it was reported that the President of the United States was forced to wash in a tin bucket on the back porch. Not so, declared she. It was her very best china basin.

An active community advisory council is working to preserve the easy, rural atmosphere with housing developments featuring acreage. Establishment of a community college is anticipated.

Wasuma Round House, a California State Parks Facility, preserves the area Mi-Wok Indian traditions