In 1931 Edward I. Kotok, Director of The California Forest Experiment Station (which later became the Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Station) hired three range specialists (Murrell W. Talbot, Frederic G. Renner, and August L. Hormay) to initiate a U.S.D.A Forest Service rangeland research program. In 1934 the San Joaquin Experimental Range (SJER) was established in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Madera County.

During the Great Depression, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed the buildings, fencing, corals, watering locations and other required facilities. The headquarters buildings were constructed with adobe bricks manufactured at the site. Acrew of CCC workers was used to make a detailed topographic survey of the station.

The initial purpose for the San Joaquin Experimental Range was to learn how to better manage foothill rangelands and investigate natural resource and animal husbandry problems associated with maintaining a commercial beef cattle herd on a year-round basis. With the exception of the Research Natural Area, SJER has been grazed since 1934.