Nevada City (formerly: Nevada, Deer Creek Dry Diggins, and Caldwell's Upper Store)[1] is the county seat of Nevada County, California, USA, located 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Sacramento and 28 miles north of Auburn. In 1900, 3,250 people lived in Nevada City; in 1910, 2,689 lived there; and at the 2000 census, the population was 3,001.
History
It was first settled in 1849, during the California Gold Rush, under the name Nevada (meaning "snow-covered", a reference to the snow-topped mountains in the area). In 1850-51, it was the most important mining town in the state, Nevada County being the leading gold-mining county in the state. The town of Nevada was incorporated on April 19, 1856. In 1864, “City” was added to the name to avoid confusion with the State of Nevada, and since that time, the town has been legally, “Nevada City.” The former town of Coyoteville, California later became Nevada City's northwestern section.[1][2]
Several historical buildings have been preserved. Some of these include:
- Court house and city hall Art deco facades are attributable to Works Progress Administration projects.[1]
- Doris Foley Library for Historical Research (National Register of Historic Places No. 90001809), 211 North Pine Street, is a Carnegie library.
- Miners Foundry (California Historical Landmark No. 1012), 325 Spring Street, was the first manufacturing location of the Pelton wheel.
- National Hotel (California Historical Landmark No. 899), 211 Broad Street, is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Rocky Mountains.
- Nevada Theatre (California Historical Landmark No. 863), 401 Broad Street, is California's oldest original-use theatre.
- South Yuba Canal Office (California Historical Landmark No. 832), 134 Main Street, was used during the period of 1857 to 1880.
Geography
Nevada City is located at 39°15′41″N 121°01′07″W / 39.261435°N 121.018602°W / 39.261435; -121.018602.[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km²), all of it land.
Nevada, Missouri is named after Nevada City.
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1850 |
2,683 |
|
—
|
| 1880 |
4,022 |
|
—
|
| 1890 |
2,524 |
|
−37.2% |
| 1900 |
3,250 |
|
28.8% |
| 1910 |
2,689 |
|
−17.3% |
| 1920 |
1,782 |
|
−33.7% |
| 1930 |
1,701 |
|
−4.5% |
| 1940 |
2,445 |
|
43.7% |
| 1950 |
2,505 |
|
2.5% |
| 1960 |
2,353 |
|
−6.1% |
| 1970 |
2,314 |
|
−1.7% |
| 1980 |
2,431 |
|
5.1% |
| 1990 |
2,855 |
|
17.4% |
| 2000 |
3,001 |
|
5.1% |
| Est. 2007 |
2,941 |
|
−2.0% |
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,001 people, 1,313 households, and 740 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,425.0 people per square mile (549.1/km²). There were 1,415 housing units at an average density of 671.9/sq mi (258.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.27% White, 0.43% African American, 1.37% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 2.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.47% of the population.
There were 1,313 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the city, the population was spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,667, and the median income for a family was $46,149. Males had a median income of $32,070 versus $29,183 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,399. About 1.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislature, Nevada City is located in the 4th Senate District, represented by Republican Sam Aanestad, and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Republican Ted Gaines. Federally, Nevada City is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11[5] and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock.
Economy
Tourism
Tourists visit Nevada City not only for its historic appeal, but for special events as well.
- Beginning in 1960, the Nevada City Classic[6] has been a challenging professional cycling race, commonly held on Father's Day, that brings in thousands of visitors. In June 2009, Lance Armstrong was the winner.[7]
- Beginning in 1967, the Constitution Day Parade includes the Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band[8] and, since 1987, the Famous Marching Presidents (and their First Ladies).[9] Held the second Sunday of September, it is one of the oldest and largest Constitution observances in the western United States.[10]
Film and the arts
Beginning in 1985, the Sierra Storytelling Festival has brought together storytellers. The event takes place each July in a pine-shaded amphitheater built specifically for storytelling.[11]
Modern day Nevada City was the setting for the 2006 Hallmark Channel original movie, The Christmas Card.
Notable residents
- Tina Basich (resident), professional snowboarder
- Zach Hill (resident), drummer for bands Hella and Team Sleep
- Jennifer Burnes, former member of the band The Mermen
- Alela Diane (resident), singer/songwriter
- Noah Georgeson, musician, producer
- Mary K. Greer internationally renowned tarot scholar and practitioner
- Roger Hodgson (resident), singer/songwriter and ex-Supertramp member
- Adam Kline, frontman of Golden Shoulders
- Joanna Newsom, harpist and singer/songwriter
- Utah Phillips (former resident), folk singer
- Ed Reimers, actor and television announcer
- Terry Riley, renowned minimalist composer
- Ron Rodecker, creator of Dragon Tales
- Aaron Augustus Sargent, U.S. Senator from California
- Niles Searls, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California
- Mariee Sioux, folk singer
- Gary Snyder (resident), poet associated with the Beat generation
Gallery of Downtown Nevada City
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|
|
|
|
Commercial Street |
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Old Fire House on Broad Street |
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The Chamber of Commerce on Union Alley |
|
See also
Further reading
- Davis, H. P. (1940). National hotel and coffee shop, Nevada City, California.
- Hagaman, W. R. (2001). A short history of the Chinese cemetery at Nevada City, California: and Chinese burial customs during the Gold Rush. Nevada City, CA: Cowboy Press.
- Hattich, L. (1969). Feasibility study on Nevada City Theater, Nevada City, California. Boulder, Colo: Economic Development Internship Program, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
- Hidden Nugget Placer Mining Co. (1910). Hidden Nugget Placer Mining Company, Nevada City, California. Nevada City, CAlif: The Company.
- Mann, R. (1982). After the Gold Rush: society in Grass Valley and Nevada City, California, 1849-1870. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press.
- Marsh, Martin Keith (2001). The Yellowjackets: A History of Nevada City High School Football (1901-1951). Grass Valley, CA: Cottage Hill. ISBN 0965824020.
- Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. (1932). Homes among the hills: Nevada City, California : gold, health, happiness. Nevada City, Calif.?: Nevada City Chamber of Commerce?.
External links
References
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