Burson was platted in 1884 when the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad was extended to that point.

[2] The community was named for Daniel Smith Burson, the original owner of the town site.

Burson has a Csa-Hot SummerMediterranean climate typical of the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Winters are cool and wet with mild days, chilly nights, and substantial rainfall.

Due to the orographic effect, rainfall in all seasons is significantly greater than on the valley floor to the west.