Charming is a city located in San Joaquin County, California. The population is currently 14,679. In the FX original series Sons of Anarchy, Charming is home to the Sons of Anarchy MC.
Location
While the website for the show stated that Charming is about 30 miles from both Stockton and Lodi, the coordinates listed actually put the fictional town about 1.5 miles northeast of Terminous and about 10.5 miles from Lodi.
Geography
Charming is 22.8 sq. mi. It's located in the northern part of the metro triangle, which is bounded by the Bay Area, Stockton and Sacramento. It is fifty miles from both Oakland and San Jose, and about thirty miles from Stockton. The boundaries of Charming end at the Wahewa Reservation and Lodi, going east to west.
Weather
Charming's average high temperature in January is 54F (12C) and the average low is 38F (3C.) In July the average high temperature is 94F (34C) and the average low is 61F.
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 surveyorwn, one proclaimed it the last "charming" place for a railroad station before the very large, flat central valley. The other declared he'd just name it as such.
After the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, the town saw a small 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 then with roads, utilities, and housing. Once rural orchards and ranches, soon 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.
Industry and Economy
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. Oswald, a significant landowner, has resisted selling off land parcels to housing developers which has restricted population growth and the city tax base.
Nearly all businesses are local, mom and pop, and independent. Charming has managed to keep out unsightly chains and corporations. Local businesses include Hoffman's Pharmacy, Lumpy's Family Restaurant, Lumpy's Gym, Floyd's Barber Shop, Hairy Dog, Unser Shipping, Cara Cara, and Teller-Morrow Automotive. There is one hospital, St. Thomas Hospital. The town is rural and largely working middle-class.
Agriculture
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 Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club (1967-present.) The local charter is known as SAMCRO which stands for Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Originals, also depicted as Sam Crow.
-Sarah Jane Oliver (1830-1872,) teacher, diarist. Author of (1860) The Journal of Miss Oliver.
-Elijah Bagwell (1857-1923,) clergyman.
-Nathan Burrows (1937-1982) sculptor. 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.
-Lumpy Feldstein- (unknown- 2009) Olympic Gold medal winner in Boxing.
Notable Locations
- Charming Police Department
- Charming Heights
- Charming Gardens
Local Music
- The Shit Buckets, a folk punk band
- Boss Johnson, blues guitarist
- Sally Chapel, lounge singer
- Bobby Elvis and his TCB Band.