Arriving in Fresno County in 1870, Sands Baker purchased a quarter section of land at the base of what became Baker's Mountain and continually added to it until he had about 2000 acres. He became prominent in the mountain community, was a prime mover in opening the road from Sand Creek that proved a boon to foothill settlers, and also served on the Fresno County Board of Education. Baker died on April 13, 1918, and was buried in the few acres he had set aside before 1900.