Prather is an unincorporated community in Fresno County, California. It is located 25 mi northeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 1657 feet. Prather has a population of 1,569. The post office in Prather first opened in 1914, closed in 1935, re-opened in 1936, and moved in 1939. The name honors Joseph L. Prather who came to California in 1872 and whose ranch became the site of the town. It is the last community on California State Route 168 before the route climbs into the Sierras, passing Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake.