Prather is an unincorporated community in Fresno County, California. It is located 25 miles northeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 1,657 ft. 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.