Charming, California
Encyclopedia
Charming is a fictional town in the television series Sons of Anarchy
. It is located in the San Joaquin Valley
of California. According to a sign on the edge of town, its population is 14,679 and its motto is "Our Name Says It All".
Charming is 22.8 square miles (59.1 km²) and is located in the upper part of the metro triangle, which is bounded by the Bay Area, Stockton
and Sacramento
. Show writer Kurt Sutter
has stated that he envisions the town as being located between Lodi
and Stockton
which would place it near the real-life Census-designated place
of Morada, California
. At other times in the show, it is said to be 50 miles (80.5 km) from both Oakland
and San Jose
, and about 30 miles (48.3 km) from both Stockton and Lodi
. In Season 1, the show's official website gave GPS coordinates for Charming that placed it in the middle of an agricultural field along California SR-12 about 3.75 miles (6 km) west of Interstate 5, just under 1 mile north of the road. These coordinates put Charming between Lodi
and Rio Vista, California
. The website no longer includes these data. The town's average high temperature in January is 54°F (12.2°C) and the average low is 38°F (3.3°C). In July the average high temperature is 94°F (34.4°C) and the average low is 61°F (16.1°C).
(1848–1855) brought an influx of population to the region, lumber, as well as agriculture, became prominent industries in the area. In 1859, these pioneer settlers decided to establish a town where the ample Redwood country meets the fertile Central Valley. The town was originally named Timberville, but when two railroad land surveyors stopped in the town, one proclaimed it the last "charming" place for a railroad station before the very large, flat central valley. The other declared he had just name it as such. After the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the town saw a small in influx of settlers who left the bay area in search of a simpler, more stable life. In the post-World War II
baby boom, housing developers began to purchase several farmsteads and develop them with roads, utilities, and housing. Once rural orchards and ranches became picturesque middle-class neighborhoods and communities. Some of these neighborhoods include Crestwood, Sellwood, Eastburough, and Buckhead (known today as Sam Crow's Corner). Today, one of the most unique qualities of Charming is that it's maintained a classic Americana look and structure. Also rumored to have E Clampus Vitus
activity in the early years, but can neither be confirmed or denied.
Early industries in Charming included a lumber mill, saw mill, orchards, farms and cattle ranching. Today, Charming also has an auto-manufacturing industry. Oswald Lumber, Oswald Beef, and Oswald Construction are three of the town's predominant companies. Charming has managed to keep out unsightly chains and corporations; nearly all businesses are local and independent. Local businesses include Hoffman's Pharmacy, Lumpy's Family Restaurant, Floyd's Barber Shop, and Teller-Morrow Automotive Repair. There is one hospital,n is rural and largely working middle-class. The Charming Cherry is a cultivar that originated in the region and is noted for the contrast between its sweet skin and somewhat tart flesh.
, which was founded in 1967. The local charter is known as SAMCRO (Sons Of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original) also depicted as Sam Crow. The club still resides in Charming today. Other notable residents include:
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is an American television drama series created by Kurt Sutter about the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club operating in Charming, a fictional town in Northern California...
. It is located in the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
of California. According to a sign on the edge of town, its population is 14,679 and its motto is "Our Name Says It All".
Charming is 22.8 square miles (59.1 km²) and is located in the upper part of the metro triangle, which is bounded by the Bay Area, Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
and Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
. Show writer Kurt Sutter
Kurt Sutter
Kurt Sutter is an American screenwriter, director, producer and actor. He worked as a producer, writer and director on The Shield, also appearing on the show as hitman Margos Dezerian. Sutter is also the creator of Sons of Anarchy on FX and writes, produces, directs and performs for the series,...
has stated that he envisions the town as being located between Lodi
Lodi, California
Lodi is a city located in , in the northern portion of California's Central Valley. The population was 62,134 at the 2010 census. The California Department of Finance's population estimate as of January 1, 2011 is 62,473....
and Stockton
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
which would place it near the real-life Census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
of Morada, California
Morada, California
Morada is a census-designated place in San Joaquin County, California, United States. The population was 3,828 at the 2010 census, up from 3,726 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Morada is located at ....
. At other times in the show, it is said to be 50 miles (80.5 km) from both Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
and San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, and about 30 miles (48.3 km) from both Stockton and Lodi
Lodi, California
Lodi is a city located in , in the northern portion of California's Central Valley. The population was 62,134 at the 2010 census. The California Department of Finance's population estimate as of January 1, 2011 is 62,473....
. In Season 1, the show's official website gave GPS coordinates for Charming that placed it in the middle of an agricultural field along California SR-12 about 3.75 miles (6 km) west of Interstate 5, just under 1 mile north of the road. These coordinates put Charming between Lodi
Lodi, California
Lodi is a city located in , in the northern portion of California's Central Valley. The population was 62,134 at the 2010 census. The California Department of Finance's population estimate as of January 1, 2011 is 62,473....
and Rio Vista, California
Rio Vista, California
Rio Vista is a city located in the eastern end of Solano County, California in the San Francisco Bay Area, on the Sacramento River, in the Sacramento River Delta region. The population was 7,360 at the 2010 census....
. The website no longer includes these data. The town's average high temperature in January is 54°F (12.2°C) and the average low is 38°F (3.3°C). In July the average high temperature is 94°F (34.4°C) and the average low is 61°F (16.1°C).
History
After the California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
(1848–1855) brought an influx of population to the region, lumber, as well as agriculture, became prominent industries in the area. In 1859, these pioneer settlers decided to establish a town where the ample Redwood country meets the fertile Central Valley. The town was originally named Timberville, but when two railroad land surveyors stopped in the town, one proclaimed it the last "charming" place for a railroad station before the very large, flat central valley. The other declared he had just name it as such. After the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the town saw a small in influx of settlers who left the bay area in search of a simpler, more stable life. In the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
baby boom, housing developers began to purchase several farmsteads and develop them with roads, utilities, and housing. Once rural orchards and ranches became picturesque middle-class neighborhoods and communities. Some of these neighborhoods include Crestwood, Sellwood, Eastburough, and Buckhead (known today as Sam Crow's Corner). Today, one of the most unique qualities of Charming is that it's maintained a classic Americana look and structure. Also rumored to have E Clampus Vitus
E Clampus Vitus
The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Western heritage, especially the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area...
activity in the early years, but can neither be confirmed or denied.
Early industries in Charming included a lumber mill, saw mill, orchards, farms and cattle ranching. Today, Charming also has an auto-manufacturing industry. Oswald Lumber, Oswald Beef, and Oswald Construction are three of the town's predominant companies. Charming has managed to keep out unsightly chains and corporations; nearly all businesses are local and independent. Local businesses include Hoffman's Pharmacy, Lumpy's Family Restaurant, Floyd's Barber Shop, and Teller-Morrow Automotive Repair. There is one hospital,n is rural and largely working middle-class. The Charming Cherry is a cultivar that originated in the region and is noted for the contrast between its sweet skin and somewhat tart flesh.
Notable residents
Charming is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of the motorcycle club Sons Of AnarchySons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club
The Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original or SOA, is a fictional outlaw motorcycle club and organized crime syndicate from the FX television series Sons of Anarchy. The club was formed by John Teller and Piermont "Piney" Winston, two Vietnam War veterans, in 1967 in Charming,...
, which was founded in 1967. The local charter is known as SAMCRO (Sons Of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original) also depicted as Sam Crow. The club still resides in Charming today. Other notable residents include:
- Sarah Jane Oliver (1830–1872), teacher and diarist. Author The Journal of Miss Oliver (1860).
- Elijah Bagwell (1857–1923), clergyman.
- Shawn “Diesel” Huey (1885-1950), Outlaw, Train Robber, Prospector, and Treasure Hunter.
- Nathan Burrows (1937–1982), sculptor. His works included the iconic Kit Foxes, as well as a series of Log Cabins that became a quick decorative fad, mostly in the bay area, during the mid-1970s.
- Timothy Lewis (1960–present), software tycoon of Silicon Valley was rumored to be born in Charming.
- Bonnie St. Jones (1944 -?), musician, visual artist and social activist. Was born and raised in Charming until she left 17 to eventually become a strong figure in the folk revival movement.
- Jamie Rowen (1985–present), won county and then became a finalist in the statewide Spelling Bee, 1997.
- The Shit Buckets, a folk punk band.
- Boss Johnson, blues guitarist
- Sally Chapel, lounge singer
- Bobby Elvis and his TCB Band
- Will "The Cesspool" Rexer, inebriated bare chested man seen walking down Main St
- "Biker" Brett Doering (1987–present), motorcycle enthusiast, amateur boxer, fine rum connoisseur, outlaw
- Raymond Hand (1914–2001), World War II infantryman, noted historian, and county probation officer/educator.
- William Asp (1994-present), True American badass.
- "Tank" Evans (1976-present), minor league baseball player and motorcycle enthusiast. Best known for holding the record for most batters struck by pitches.