Nevada City, California

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Nevada City, California
Downtown Nevada City at dusk
Location in Nevada County and the state of California
Coordinates: 39°15′41″N 121°1′7″W / 39.26139°N 121.01861°W / 39.26139; -121.01861Coordinates: 39°15′41″N 121°1′7″W / 39.26139°N 121.01861°W / 39.26139; -121.01861
Country United States
State California
County Nevada
Area
 - Total 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2)
 - Land 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2)
 - Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 2,477 ft (755 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 3,001
 - Density 1,429/sq mi (545.6/km2)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 95959
Area code(s) 530
FIPS code 06-50874
GNIS feature ID 1659211

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. 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.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Economy

[edit] 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]

[edit] 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.

[edit] Notable residents


Gallery of Downtown Nevada City
Commercial Street Old Fire House on Broad Street The Chamber of Commerce on Union Alley

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

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Learning resources from Wikiversity

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Nevada City, Queen City of the Northern Hills". ncgold.com. http://www.ncgold.com/History/NCityHis.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-21. 
  2. ^ Hoover, Mildred Brooke; Douglas E. Kyle, Hero Rensch (2002). Historic spots in California. 5. Stanford University Press. pp. 258. ISBN 0804744823. http://books.google.com/books?id=AYMPR6xAj50C&pg=PA258&lpg=PA258&dq=%22coyoteville%22+%22nevada+county%22+town&source=bl&ots=8QQdI6ueBe&sig=KqlhBSINDTnNmsQC5LFXvklfPGo&hl=en&ei=xfQdSvDUI5mSswPx4tStCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8. 
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved on 2007-10-20. 
  6. ^ "Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race". ncclassic.com. http://www.ncclassic.com/. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
  7. ^ Valentinsen, Thomas (June 22, 2009). "Lance Armstrong Wins 2009 Nevada City Classic". roadcycling.com. http://www.roadcycling.com/articles/Lance_Armstrong_Wins_2009_Nevada_City_Classic_002822.shtml. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
  8. ^ "Welcome to Ophir". ophirprison.com. http://www.ophirprison.com/. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
  9. ^ "The Famous Marching Presidents". marchingpresidents.org. http://marchingpresidents.org/. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
  10. ^ "43rd Annual Constitution Day Parade & Celebration Sept. 12-13 in Historic Nevada City". nevadacitychamber.com. http://www.nevadacitychamber.com/events/constitution.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
  11. ^ "Queen of storytelling festivals celebrates its 24th year". sierrastorytellingfestival.org. http://www.sierrastorytellingfestival.org/. Retrieved on 2009-06-22. 
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