Charming

Charming, California
—  Fictional Town  —
Town of Charming
Motto: "Our Name Says It All."
Country	United States
State	California
County	San Joaquin
Settled	1859 (as Timberville)
Area
- Total	22.8 sq mi (59.1 km2)
Population
- Total	14,679
Website	Charming at Sons of Anarchy

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 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 km) from both Oakland and San Jose, and about 30 miles (50 km) from both Stockton and Lodi. In Season 1, the show's official website^[1] gave GPS coordinates for Charming that placed it in the middle of an agricultural field along California SR-12 about 3.75 miles (6.0 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).

History

After the California Gold Rush (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.

Notable residents

Charming is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of the motorcycle club Sons Of Anarchy, 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.

References

1. ^ http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/

External links

• Charming at Sons of Anarchy