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KVPR's Central Valley Roots explores the history, people and places of Central California. Discover something new about our region, past and present, with each episode. From Fresno and Bakersfield, to Visalia and Merced, the Central Valley is full of rich stories that make the place we call home special. Send us your question about local history or places to [email protected] and we might answer it in a future episode. Hear the series on the radio weekdays at 5:06 a.m., 9:04 a.m. and 5:32 p.m. or listen to our podcast.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Central Valley Roots podcast

The Carnegie libraries of the Central Valley

2026/01/28

Several Central Valley Carnegie library buildings still remain, in cities like Clovis, Hanford, Exeter and Orosi.

The story behind downtown Fresno's historic Van Ness Avenue entry arch

2026/01/27

Back when Railroad Avenue was U.S. Route 99, downtown merchants funded the archway to help draw motorists to their businesses.

The story of Cressman's, Mountain Rest and Pine Ridge

2026/01/26

Located at the top of Tollhouse grade, a variety of Pine Ridge-area businesses have served centuries of weary travelers.

How a Sierra Nevada landslide in 1867 left Visalia flooded

2026/01/22

In December of 1867, a portion of Dennison Mountain slid into the Kaweah River, creating a 400-foot natural dam that eventually gave way, flooding Visalia.

How California's flood of 1861-1862 changed the San Joaquin Valley

2026/01/21

While cities like Fresno and Bakersfield didn't exist in 1862, the local impact of that year's historic flooding was still massive.

How California's Kings County was born in 1893

2026/01/20

Today's Kings County used to be a part of Tulare County, until it broke away in 1893.

How Martin Luther King Jr. rallied Fresno for housing equality in 1964

2026/01/16

King held a rally in Fresno June 1, 1964 in support of housing equality laws in California.

In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. led marchers in Bakersfield

2026/01/15

The civil rights leader led a march ahead of a speech at Bakersfield's Harvey Auditorium in 1960

Ferry across the San Joaquin: The story of Firebaugh

2026/01/14

Andrew Firebaugh founded the town as a ferry crossing in 1854, before building a toll road over Pacheco Pass and later founding Academy northeast of Clovis.

From its earliest days, Fresno was a violent town

2026/01/13

An early Fresno resident reported that train conductors would alert riders to "get their guns ready" as trains approached the stop of Fresno Station.

Owens Mountain looms over Northeast Fresno and Clovis. Here's its story...

2025/12/30

The mountain has history that includes mining, ranching and serving as a fire lookout.

How Fresno's Fashion Fair mall undercut the city's vision for downtown revitalization, in 1970

2025/12/29

Downtown Fresno's Fulton Mall was just one year old when plans for the indoor Fashion Fair shopping mall in North Fresno went public in 1965.

How did Kern County get the nickname of the "Golden Empire?"

2025/12/24

Kern County isn't the only one to claim the title, which has been in use for close 90 years.

Bakersfield's grande dame: the historic Padre Hotel

2025/12/23

This historic Bakersfield hotel was reborn in 2010, and has a colorful history filled with Hollywood celebrities and an eccentric owner who once pointed a "missile" at city hall.

The story of Poso Creek and the town of Famoso

2025/12/22

From the Greenhorn Mountains east of Delano to Famoso along Highway 99, Poso Creek has been an important part of Kern County history.