Neighborhood guide · Fresno County

Tarpey Village where the Tarpey depot stood

Tarpey Village is an established, largely mid-century neighborhood of about 1,300 homes in unincorporated Fresno County, almost surrounded by the City of Clovis. Fresno Yosemite International Airport is about 1.5 miles away, Sierra Vista Mall about a mile, and a paved rail-trail runs through to Old Town Clovis.

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Street plan of Tarpey Village with the area this guide covers outlined in gold
Tarpey Village, drawn from OpenStreetMap and Census street data. The gold line marks the area this guide covers.
At a glance
Where
Centered on Ashlan and Clovis avenues, from about Dakota Ave north to a few blocks past Ashlan, and Minnewawa Ave east to Sunnyside Ave
City or county
Unincorporated Fresno County, almost surrounded by the City of Clovis
ZIP codes
Mainly 93727, with Fresno mailing addresses; streets just outside use Clovis 93612 and 93611
Size
0.789 sq mi, with 1,333 homes in the 2020 Census
HOA
None documented; check each listing
School district
Clovis Unified. Confirm attendance boundaries with the district.
Today

Tarpey Village today

Tarpey Village is a settled neighborhood of mostly 1950s-era single-family homes, with some condos and mobile-home spaces mixed in. The Census Bureau treats it as a census-designated place, and it is a county island: test points just outside it on every side fall inside the City of Clovis, yet many homes carry Fresno mailing addresses. Because the land is unincorporated, Fresno County rules apply to permits, zoning and some services.

On annexation: Fresno LAFCo's agenda for October 14, 2026, had no item for Tarpey Village. The commission's streamlined island-annexation process applies only to islands of 150 acres or less, and Tarpey Village covers about 505.

The old La Paloma Winery parcel at Clovis Ave and Dakota Ave is now owned by the City of Clovis, which filed plans in 2015 to demolish 5 of its 9 buildings and keep one for Parks and Recreation use. The Clovis Old Town Trail runs past it, and the city's October 2025 trail map shows a "Tarpey Village Rest Stop" along the way.

Homes
1,333 (2020 Census)
Land area
0.789 sq mi
Elevation
351 ft
Airport
About 1.5 miles southwest
Trail
Clovis Old Town Trail, 5.9 miles paved
Most visited

Fresno Yosemite International, 1.5 miles away

No place near Tarpey Village sees more traffic than the airport. Wikipedia's table shows 2,672,881 passengers in 2024. From the center of the neighborhood it's about 3.6 miles by road, or about 7 minutes via Clovis Ave and McKinley Ave.

The airport just grew. Its $150 million terminal expansion, part of the FATforward program, broke ground in 2023 and opened in early 2026 with a new concourse, a larger security checkpoint and an international arrivals area. The Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing also flies F-15 jets from the field, so ask about aircraft noise when you look at any address here.

Where
About 1.5 miles southwest
Drive
About 7 minutes
Passengers, 2024
2,672,881
New in 2026
Ticketless parking, from July 14
Around the neighborhood

Where people go nearby

  • Old Town Clovis and the Tarpey Depot

    399 Clovis Ave, Clovis, about 2.3 miles north

    The depot that once stood here is now the Clovis visitors center. Next to Old Town, the Rodeo Grounds host the Clovis Rodeo, a 5-day event ending the last full weekend of April that was expected to draw about 50,000 people in 2026. Big Hat Days comes in early April and ClovisFest in late September.

  • Sierra Vista Mall

    1050 Shaw Ave, Clovis, about 1.1 miles north

    The nearest regional mall opened in 1988. Target and Kohl's are among its anchors, and the outdoor section added in 2006 has a 16-screen cinema.

  • Clovis Old Town Trail

    Along Clovis Ave, from just north of Shields

    A 5.9-mile paved rail-trail that runs through the neighborhood to Old Town and on to the Sugar Pine Trail at Willow Ave.

  • Helm Ranch Community Park

    91 W Ashlan Ave, Clovis, just west

    A playground, a picnic shelter, barbecues, restrooms, a trail connection and a wildlife-viewing platform with telescopes.

  • Old Town Clovis Farmers Market

    Pollasky Ave between 3rd and 7th

    Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in season (May through September in 2026), plus Saturday mornings from 9 to 11:30.

  • Clovis–Big Dry Creek Museum

    401 Pollasky Ave, Clovis

    Local history in Old Town Clovis, the same district as the relocated Tarpey Depot.

Homes

What the homes are like

Age and style

Mostly single-family homes from the 1950s growth years, when the North American Aircraft plant near downtown Clovis drew new residents and Tarpey Elementary opened to serve them. Some condos and mobile-home spaces are mixed in. Year built varies, so check each listing.

Lots

Past listings have included a 7,675 sq ft lot and a 10,000 sq ft corner lot. Sizes vary by tract.

Builders

No production builders are documented here.

HOA and taxes

No HOA, gated sections or Mello-Roos are documented. Check each listing and the tax bill.

County rules

Unincorporated county land means Fresno County rules for permits and zoning, even with a Fresno or Clovis mailing address. Ask which agency serves a given address.

Location

Getting around, and schools

Freeways

Ashlan Ave runs west about 2.6 miles to SR 168, which links to SR 41 and SR 180.

Distances

Estimated drives from the center of the neighborhood: Fresno Yosemite International about 3.6 miles (7 minutes), Old Town Clovis about 2.3 miles (5 minutes, or a bike ride on the trail) and Fresno City Hall about 8.2 miles (12 minutes).

Shopping

Sierra Vista Mall (about 1.1 miles) and Old Town Clovis (about 2.3 miles). See our Clovis area guide.

Schools

Tarpey Village is in Clovis Unified. Tarpey Elementary, at 2700 Minnewawa Ave just northwest of the neighborhood, opened in 1958. Intermediate and high school assignments depend on the address, so check the CUSD boundary map. Boundaries change, so confirm any address with the district.

Map of Tarpey Village, California, outlining the area this guide covers Tarpey Village Ashlan Ave Clovis Ave Minnewawa Ave Dakota Ave 1Tarpey Elementary
  1. 1Tarpey Elementary
Gold outline: Tarpey Village's Census boundary. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors; boundary and local streets from the U.S. Census Bureau. Open in Google Maps
History

A vineyard, a depot and a winery tower

The name comes from M. F. Tarpey, who set up a ranch here around 1880. As a young man he had worked with Sen. George Hearst in mining, politics and winegrowing. He had 150 acres of wine grapes by 1891 and about 1,400 acres by 1910–11. (Sources disagree on his first name, so we use his initials.)

The San Joaquin Valley Railroad, organized in 1890, built a 26-mile line from Fresno toward Friant, and in 1892 Tarpey Depot went up on the ranch, southeast of Ashlan and Clovis avenues. La Paloma Winery followed in 1895. In 1910–11 Tarpey built a new 1.5-million-gallon winery of reinforced concrete, described as the only one of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley, with a 60-foot tower. In 1920 he became the first board president of the new Fresno Irrigation District.

The neighborhood takes its name from the ranch and depot, which at one point housed Billings and Fine, real estate agents for the "Tarpey Village development." Homes filled in during the 1950s, and Tarpey Elementary opened in 1958. The depot itself moved to Old Town Clovis in 1999.

  1. c. 1880M. F. Tarpey sets up his ranch in the Clovis area.
  2. 1890The San Joaquin Valley Railroad is organized on January 15.
  3. 1892Tarpey Depot is built on the ranch, one of 3 depots on the Fresno–Friant line.
  4. 1893Southern Pacific buys the railroad.
  5. 1895La Paloma Winery is built.
  6. 1910–11A 1.5-million-gallon concrete winery with a 60-foot tower goes up.
  7. 1920Tarpey becomes first board president of the Fresno Irrigation District.
  8. 1958Tarpey Elementary is dedicated on October 23.
  9. 1999The depot moves about 2 miles north to Old Town Clovis and is restored.
  10. 2000A historical marker is placed at the depot.
  11. 2010Tarpey Village is counted as a census-designated place for the first time.
  12. 2015Clovis plans to demolish 5 of the 9 buildings at the closed La Paloma Winery.
Census and county records

Tarpey Village, by the numbers

1,333homes in the 2020 Census
0.789square miles of land
1.5 milliongallons in Tarpey's 1910–11 winery
5.9miles of paved trail to Old Town and beyond
Worth knowing

Stories from the neighborhood

  • A depot with many jobs

    Tarpey Depot served as a freight and passenger stop, the La Paloma Winery office, a post office, a polling place and a real estate office. Today it is the Clovis Tourist Information and Visitors Center.

  • The last of its railroad

    The depot is the last remnant of the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, which began regular service between Fresno and Friant in 1892.

  • The 38,000-pound boulder

    The rock that holds the depot's historical marker weighs 38,000 pounds. A sporting-goods store once used it as a climbing rock for testing gear.

  • A winery that changed hands

    La Paloma was leased to the California Wine Association in 1913 and passed to Paul Garrett, maker of "Virginia Dare" wine, before Tarpey took it back in 1921. Later operators included Italian Swiss Colony, National Distillers and United Vintners.

FAQ

Tarpey Village questions

Is Tarpey Village in Clovis or Fresno?

Neither. It is unincorporated Fresno County land almost surrounded by the City of Clovis, and many homes have Fresno 93727 mailing addresses.

Where does the name Tarpey come from?

From M. F. Tarpey, a vineyard owner whose ranch, La Paloma Winery and railroad depot stood near Ashlan and Clovis avenues from the 1890s. The depot also once housed the real estate agents for the "Tarpey Village development."

Where is the old Tarpey Depot now?

It was moved to Old Town Clovis in 1999 and restored. It is now the Clovis Tourist Information and Visitors Center at 399 Clovis Ave.

What school district serves Tarpey Village?

Clovis Unified. Tarpey Elementary, opened in 1958, is just northwest of the neighborhood. Confirm attendance boundaries for any address with the district.

How close is Tarpey Village to the airport?

Fresno Yosemite International is about 1.5 miles southwest in a straight line, or about 3.6 miles and 7 minutes by car.

Is Tarpey Village being annexed by Clovis?

We found no current proposal. Fresno LAFCo's October 14, 2026 agenda had no Tarpey Village item, and its streamlined island-annexation process applies only to islands of 150 acres or less. Ask us to check the latest before you buy.

Is there a walking or biking trail?

Yes. The paved Clovis Old Town Trail runs along Clovis Ave through the neighborhood to Old Town Clovis and on to the Sugar Pine Trail.

Buying or selling here

Thinking about Tarpey Village?

Baylen and Chris can sort out the county-island questions, compare a home with recent sales nearby, and help you buy or sell in Tarpey Village.

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Trafton Home Team, brokered by Real (DRE #02022092). Baylen Trafton, DRE #02026482.

Sources and photo credits