The little village of Raymond at one time was the thriving terminus of the train to Yosemite. Trains would arrive at Raymond, the passengers would then connect with stage coaches to Yosemite Valley. There were hotels and saloons and a substantial population.

When other more direct routes opened to Yosemite the Raymond rail spur was used to ship granite from the Knowles quarry. Raymond granite became famous—the San Francisco post office and many other public building in various parts of the West were built from it.

Raymond today is a small community best known for the nearby Knowles Granite Quarry, Many mementos of early Raymond are housed in a local museum open the first Sunday of the month. To commemorate the town's historic past Raymond celebrates with a "Family Day" parade, Children's Carnival and Craft Fair. Food and entertainment enhance the festivities.

Raymond is a refreshing reminder of the good old days with its older buildings and obvious lack of traffic. Rd. 600 or Rd 415 will lead you to there from Ahwahnee or Coarsegold. It is just a short ride from Madera.

The real estate opportunities around Raymond feature rolling hills and ranch lands. Horses and cattle abound. Stagnant land prices have begun to rise sharply since the State of California approved a new university development in nearby Merced.