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Sample Road (Fresno County)

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Sample Road is a short rural Fresno County highway which connects Tollhouse Road (California State Route 168) east to Pittman Hill Road.  This short highway corridor was originally constructed to service the Copper King Mine which was located on Pittman Hill.  The highway corridor appears under numerous early twentieth century maps as the "Copper King Road."  The mining operations at Pittman Hill shuttered during 1917 and the service highway was eventually retitled as Sample Road.  Modern Sample Road is often used by cyclists seeking a steep grade while traveling to Watts Valley or Tollhouse.  




Part 1; the history of Sample Road

Sample Road was constructed as a cutoff from Tollhouse Road to the Copper King Mine at Pittman Hill.    The Copper King Mine was located on Sales Creek and had several shafts which were a combined length of 2,500 feet.  The Copper King Mine was one of numerous copper mines located in Fresno County and was worked until 1917.  The mine can be seen below circa 1900 in a photo sourced from the Eastern Fresno County Historical Society.  


Modern Sample Road can be seen on the 1911 Denny map of Fresno County.  The corridor can be seen in Township 12 South, Range 23 East originating at Tollhouse Road and terminating to the east at Pittman Hill Road near the Copper King Mine.  


What is now Sample Road appears as "Copper King Road" on the 1923 United States Geological Survey map of Academy.


Sampe Road can be seen on the 1935 Division of Highways map of Fresno County spanning from Pittman Hill Road west to California State Route 168 at Tollhouse Road.  




Part 2; a drive on Sample Road

From southbound Pittman Hill Road traffic wishing to take Sample Road continues directly ahead westbound.  Pittman Hill Road takes a left hand turn at the intersection with Sample Road.  Traffic heading west onto Sample Road is advised Fresno is 27 miles away. 






Westbound Sample Road begins at an approximate elevation of 1,150 feet above sea level.  The roadway makes a rapid descent approaching Tollhouse Road following the course of Sales Creek and Dog Creek.  The grade along Sample Road sees it used regularly used by cyclists heading to Watts Valley or Tollhouse. 















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