It's history reads like a tale from the old west. It was home to cowboys, Indians, and outlaws. Now it's a world class resort, nestled right in our back yard, in the foothills to the east.
It's also one of several valley businesses being recognized for 100-plus years of service.
A notorious gang of bank robbers and wanted fugitives once called this home. So did the Choinumni Indian tribe. Rancher and Spanish-American War veteran, George Pierson once ran this place, and now it belongs to the Oken family.
Stan Oken: "The history of wonder valley is like a saga of the old wild west."
Remnants of the past hang on the walls of the wonder valley museum like a hunter's trophy. Here the past is a source of pride, but so is the future for thousands of kids who spend their summers here. Some visiting from across the globe.
"Even though they could not speak the same language, the children all found a way to communicate."
Here, the common language is adventure, climbing, a ropes course and paintball.
Chairman Stan Oken knows all about adventure. He's a former coach and Fresno County supervisor. He bought these 75-acres in 1973. It had been George Peirson's since 1911.
"Was started many years ago, 1911, when a horse and cattle rancher by the name of George Pierson decided to charge guests to come into the ranch and made wonder valley California's first dude ranch."
It's now the Oken family business. His children, and grandchildren, all work here. They're all part of a staff of 170. When wonder valley ranch first opened for business, there were four employees.
"I believe that makes us successful is our staff."
Weddings are becoming more and more popular here. Thanks to a talented staff. With 50 or 60 unions happening a year.
Hollywood stars and their children have experienced the wonders of this valley and so have burn victims. This past Christmas, Oken and his family brought 25 homeless women, and their children, to wonder valley for a holiday treat.
"I just got back some letters from some of the mothers and it almost brought tears to my eyes to know that we had that kind of effect on some of those people."
It's evolved from an old west sanctuary into a world class campground and resort. What was once a hideout for the notorious Dalton gang, is now a hideaway for anyone looking for a little R-and-R.
For more information on wonder valley ranch and resort just log on to wondervalley.com.
TXT 24
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