National Register of Historic Places

Wilsonia Historic District

Wilsonia, Kings Canyon National Park, Tulare County, California
Listed
March 14, 1996
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
95001151

About this property

Wilsonia is a census-designated place (CDP) in Tulare County, California. As of the 2020 census, Wilsonia had a population of 14. Wilsonia sits at an elevation of 6,617 feet (2,017 m). It is surrounded by the General Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park. The community of Wilsonia began as a 100-acre plot of land homesteaded in the 1870s. After several ownership changes, the land was subdivided among residents. The village was officially established in 1918. The name “Wilsonia” originates from the United States presidential election of 1916. The outcome of the election was decided by votes from the mountain communities of California, which were delayed due to a snowstorm. To commemorate the area's decisive role in President Woodrow Wilson’s reelection, the community was named Wilsonia in his honor. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 0.3 square miles (0.7 km2), all of it land. While the village is surrounded by Kings Canyon National Park, the village itself is not part of the National Park, and most of the land within Wilsonia is privately owned. Over 200 cabins are located in the village, many of which are summer residences and vacation homes. The 2010 census placed the permanent population of Wilsonia at 5 residents. The entire community of Wilsonia was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The U.S. Historic district includes 139 contributing historic structures. Wilsonia first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census.

Location

Wilsonia, Kings Canyon National Park, Tulare County, California
36.73520, -118.95782

Categories

ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATIONCOMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Everything a full report reveals about Wilsonia Historic District

This page lists Wilsonia Historic District. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Nearby Historic Sites

Gamlin Cabin
Civil War
1.2 mi
Cabin Creek Ranger Residence and Dormitory
Industrial
9.9 mi
Generals' Highway Stone Bridges
Listed
15.3 mi
Giant Forest Village-Camp Kaweah Historic District
Listed
15.6 mi
Giant Forest Lodge Historic District
Listed
15.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Wilsonia Historic District listed on the National Register?

Wilsonia Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 14, 1996.

What type of historic resource is Wilsonia Historic District?

Wilsonia Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Wilsonia Historic District?

The period of significance for Wilsonia Historic District is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Wilsonia Historic District?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Wilsonia Historic District will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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