Indian Lakes Estates, California

History

The area around Indian Lakes Estates was once known as Picayune, where the mining town of Narbo was located between 1883 and 1887.

In 1966, developer Jeff Dennis promoted Indian Lakes Estates, along with Valley Lake Ranchos, marketing them as "18 miles of shoreline". Two years later, the San Francisco Examiner reported that construction had not yet begun and that "No lake is visible."

In 1986, Indian Lakes residents moved to acquire the water distribution system for the subdivision from Hillview Water Co., contending that the existing water source might pose a health hazard. The Madera County Board of Supervisors approved the request, which was opposed by Hillview.

Relations with Chukchansi

In 2003, The Fresno Bee reported that local residents struggled in public meetings to influence planning of the nearby Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino near Coarsegold, which they worried would compete for scarce groundwater. Some Indian Lakes residents said they thought the casino should be required to pay county property taxes, despite the fact that Indian lands are generally exempt.

In 2014, the Indian Lakes Estates Property Owners Association applied for a $135,643 community grant from the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians for fire safety and playground improvements, but consideration of the request was delayed following the closure of the casino, which subsequently re-opened in 2015.

In 2018, the association received a $25,000 community grant from the Chukchansi, which it used to build a new playground structure in Park Pavilion at Indian Lakes.

References

References

1. {{gnis. 1812715
2. Aleman-Padilla, Lisa. (June 25, 2003). "CHP is betting roads will be crowded". Modesto Bee.
3. Aleman-Padilla, Lisa. (June 15, 2003). "Resort sets off economic waves in Madera County". [[The Fresno Bee]].
4. Nax, Sanford. (January 26, 2000). "Water park considered in foothills". [[The Fresno Bee]].
5. Grady, Grace. (November 5, 2004). "Ghost towns are simply a part of local history". [[The Fresno Bee]].
6. Ludlow, Lynn. (September 17, 1968). "16,000 Acres of Hardpan Cut Up–And Sold". [[San Francisco Examiner]].
7. (April 24, 1984). "Water service OK'd for district". [[The Fresno Bee]].
8. Hostetter, George. (March 2, 2003). "Casinos expand quest for riches". [[The Fresno Bee]].
9. Hostetter, George. (February 17, 2003). "Raising the Stakes". [[The Fresno Bee]].
10. Wilkinson, Brian. (October 2, 2014). "Chukchansi grant requests total $4.1 million". Sierra Star.
11. Wilkinson, Brian. (September 1, 2016). "Chukchansi grants could be announced soon". Sierra Star.
12. Wheeler, Celeste. (March 1, 2018). "New Indian Lakes playground structure dedicated". [[The Fresno Bee]].