Victorville, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Victorville | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Motto: "Key City of the High Desert" [1] | |
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| Coordinates: 34°31′14″N 117°20′40″W / 34.52056°N 117.34444°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Incorporated (city) | 1962-09-21[2] |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Rudy Cabriales[3] |
| - City Manager | Jim Cox |
| Area | |
| - Total | 73.30 sq mi (189.85 km2) |
| - Land | 72.78 sq mi (188.50 km2) |
| - Water | 0.52 sq mi (1.35 km2) 0.71% |
| Elevation | 2,730 ft (832 m) |
| Population (2007)[4] | |
| - Total | 107,721 |
| - Density | 879.7/sq mi (339.7/km2) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | 92392, 92393, 92394, 92395[5] |
| Area code(s) | 760[6] |
| FIPS code | 06-82590 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652806 |
| Website | http://ci.victorville.ca.us/ |
Victorville is a city located in the Victor Valley of southwestern San Bernardino County, California. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2000 census, this city had a total population of 64,030. The May 1, 2008, population estimate released by the state of California for Victorville was 107,720.
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[edit] Geography and Climate
Victorville is located at 34°31'14" North, 117°20'40" West (34.520459, -117.344525)[7].
Victorville is located at the southeastern edge of the Mojave Desert, 81 miles (130 km) northeast of Los Angeles, 34 miles (55 km) south of Barstow, 48 miles (77 km) east of Palmdale, and 37 miles (60 km) north of San Bernardino through the Cajon Pass on Interstate 15. Victorville is the location of offices of the "Mojave Desert Branch" of the San Bernardino County government.
Victorville is bordered by Apple Valley on the east, Hesperia on the south, and Adelanto on the west. The Mojave River flows sporadically through Victorville. The elevation at City Hall is approximately 2,950 feet (900 m) above sea level.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 189.8 km² (73.3 mi²). 188.5 km² (72.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.71% water.
The summer climate for this area in the Mojave Desert may be hotter than the Los Angeles basin, but actually it is 10 or 15 degrees cooler than in the Colorado Desert. The National Weather Service has maintained a weather station in Victorville since 1917. Official records show that Victorville has an arid climate with cool winters and hot summers. Average January temperatures range from a maximum of 58.5 °F (14.7 °C) to a minimum of 29.8 °F (−1.2 °C). Average July temperatures range from a maximum of 98.2 °F (36.8 °C) to a minimum of 60.7 °F (15.9 °C). The record high temperature was 116 °F (47 °C) on July 10, 2002. The record low temperature was −1 °F (−18.3 °C) on January 17, 1949. There are an average of 109 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 79 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower.
The average annual precipitation in Victorville is 5.57 inches (141 mm). There is an average of 25 days annually with measurable precipitation. The wettest year recorded was 1983 with 13.42 inches (341 mm) and the driest year recorded was 1953 with 1.27 inches (32 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 5.45 inches (138 mm) in February 1944. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 3.00 inches (76 mm) on February 24, 1998. Snowfall in Victorville averages only 1.4 inches (36 mm) annually. The most snowfall in one month was 38.0 inches (970 mm) on January 1949, including 31.0 inches (790 mm) on January 14. Snowfall is rather common during the winter months in the higher mountains south of Victorville, especially around Cajon Pass.[8]
[edit] Demographics
In 2005, the city was estimated to contain 86,473 people, 30,000 households, and 21,000 families residing in the city. The population density is 339.7/km² (879.7/mi²). There are 22,498 housing units at an average density of 119.4/km² (309.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 41.92% White, 16.05% African American, 1.11% Native American, 1.48% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 16.26% from other races, and 5.98% from two or more races. 50.46% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 30,000 households out of which 43.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% are married couples living together, 16.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% are non-families. 19.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.03 and the average family size is 3.47.
In the city the population is spread out with 34.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $36,187, and the median income for a family is $39,988. Males have a median income of $40,149 versus $26,138 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,454. 18.7% of the population and 15.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
For the year ending July 2007, Victorville experienced the second-highest population growth rate in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That year, the population rose 9.5%, to 107,221.
In July 2009, Victorville was confirmed the decade's fastest-growing city of over 100,000 in California, and among the fastest-growing cities in the United States.[citation needed]
[edit] Politics
In the state legislature Victorville is located in the 17th Senate District, represented by Republican George Runner, and in the 36th Assembly District, represented by Republican Steve Knight. Federally, Victorville is located in California's 25th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +7[9] and is represented by Republican Buck McKeon.
[edit] History
In 1858, Aaron G. Lane came to the High Desert and created the hamlet of "Lane's Crossing", which for many years was a provider of shelter and supplies for people making the journey across the desert from the east to San Bernardino. Lane's Crossing was on the Mojave River just north of where the river crosses Interstate 15. Captain Lane was a Mexican-American War veteran who had suffered from malaria during that war. Originally he migrated west to join the California gold rush, but he found out that it was better to sell supplies to the miners than to pan for gold. He settled in Ione near Sutter's Mill in northern California during those years, but he migrated to San Bernardino in 1857. Although his health did not improve much there, he found that the dry desert air was comforting to him. He settled there in 1858. He was a rancher and became involved in Mojave Valley politics, providing the first polling place in the high desert at his home. That first year, ten citizens cast their votes at Lane's residence, rather than making the long trip to San Bernardino.[10]
About 1895, the village was named "Victor" for the California Southern Railroad's General Manager Jacob Nash Victor. In 1901, the U.S. Post Office Department changed that name to Victorville to avoid confusion with the town of Victor, Colorado.
In 1926, the highway U.S. Route 66 was begun, and it passed through Victorville. Today, that former route is the primary street through Old Town Victorville, known as Seventh Street.
In 1940, Herman J. Mankiewicz and John Houseman wrote the first two drafts of the script for the film Citizen Kane in Victorville, while residing at the Green Spot motel along Route 66. That film's producer and director, Orson Welles, had sent the two of them to write in semi-seclusion - due to Mankiewicz's outrageous drinking propensities.[11]
The Victorville Army Airfield was constructed beginning in 1941, and this airfield became the George Air Force Base when the U.S. Air Force was established in October, 1947.
After decades of service to the Air Force, in 1992 the George Air Force Base was closed, and its land turned over to other uses. Part of it is now the Southern California Logistics Airport. The former Air Force base housing area is now vacant, and it forms a ghost town that is used for military training by troops from the U.S. Army's Fort Irwin Military Reservation. On another part of the grounds of the former Air Force Base has been built the Victorville Federal Penitentiary.
The city of Victorville was officially incorporated by the State of Califonia on September 21, 1962.
On August 14, 1977, the actor Ron Haydock was struck and killed while hitch-hiking near Victorville.
In 2003, the practically bankrupt Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum was moved from Victorville to Branson, Missouri, for another try at solvency.
On November 3, 2007, Victorville hosted the DARPA Urban Challenge, a six-hour autonomous robot driving contest through the streets of the Southern California Logistics Airport. The Carnegie Mellon University team, known as Tartan Racing, won the two million dollar first prize, with the Stanford University Racing Team winning a one million dollar check for finishing second. Team Victor Tango, made up of faculty and students from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute won $500,000 for finishing third.
“Robots sometimes stun the world, inspire a lot of people and change the belief of what is possible,” said William “Red” Whittaker, a Carnegie Mellon Univ. robotics professor and the leader of the university’s Tartan Racing team. “We’ve seen that here and once the perception of what’s possible changes it never goes back. This is a phenomenal thing for robotics.”[12]
[edit] Old Town Victorville
A revitalization project started in 1995 in the oldest part of the city, which encompasses ten square blocks along Historic Route 66. They still consist mostly of empty buildings, but there is the Veteran's Memorial on the corner of Seventh Street and Forrest Ave, the Route 66 Museum on D Street, and the Old Victor School on Sixth Street
[edit] Filming location
Victorville has been used for commercial filming several times:
- The Harvey Girls (1942), partially filmed at Iverson Ranch.
- It Came From Outer Space (1953), filmed in Victorville and the surrounding desert; Victorville served as the setting for the fictional town of "Sand Rock, Arizona".
- Grand Theft Auto (1977), starring Ron Howard.
- The Hills Have Eyes (1977). However, the 2006 version was filmed in Morocco.
- Lethal Weapon (1987) filmed at El Mirage Dry Lake west of Victorville
- Face/Off (1997), portions filmed at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville
- Breakdown (1997) starring Kurt Russell, filmed in downtown Victorville.
- Contact (1997), also partially filmed in Victorville, with some local residents used as extras.
- Play It to the Bone (1999) filmed partly in The New Reflections concert venue in Downtown.
- Terminator III: Rise of the Machines (2003) filmed at Desert View Memorial Park and parts of downtown.
- Foo Fighters - Times Like These (2002) was filmed on D Street between Victorville and Apple Valley
- Kill Bill Volume 2 (2004) was filmed in The New Reflections as well.
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) was partially filmed in Victorville.
- The Hitcher (1986), starring Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, was filmed at the Outpost truck stop. Many local residents were used as extras.
[edit] Notable residents
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- New Boyz - Rap group
- Earl W. Bascom, Hall of Fame cowboy, international artist and sculptor
- Harold Budd, Los Angeles–born ambient composer, claims that his music was influenced by his childhood in Victorville.[13]
- Thomas Denny, MMA fighter who trains and owns a MMA training facility in Victorville. Founder of Team Wildman and has appeared on MTV's Bully Deatdown.
- Dresta, rapper.
- Dan Henderson, Pride Fighting Championship welterweight champion and middleweight champion, was born in August 24, 1970 in Downey, CA and attended Victor Valley High School, but resided in Apple Valley.
- John W. Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, who graduated from Victor Valley High and attended Victor Valley College while residing in nearby Apple Valley.
- Bryan Herman, a professional skateboarder
- T. J. Houshmandzadeh, wide receiver for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks
- Al Jury, NFL referee
- Trever Keith, guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the punk band Face to Face, formed in Victorville in 1991.
- Dave Lombardo, drummer of thrash metal band Slayer
- Lorene Drive, a rock band formed in 2002
- Mike Mangold, 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series champion
- Prem Reddy, MD, FACC, FCCP, cardiologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Matt Riddle, former bassist of Face to Face and current bassist for the punk band No Use for a Name.
- Joe Stevenson, ultimate fighter who attended Silverado High School and now owns a TapouT training center in Victorville.
- Skip Young, actor: Wally Plumstead on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
- Dock Ellis, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and other teams; most famous for claiming to have pitched a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD
[edit] References
- ^ http://ci.victorville.ca.us/Site/AboutVictorville.aspx
- ^ "Incorporation Dates of California Cities". http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Victorville City Council: Councilmember Terry Caldwell". http://ci.victorville.ca.us/city-council/members/member4.html. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Victorville city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder". http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=Victorville%20city&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results". http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=Victorville. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results". http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=Victorville. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca9325
- ^ "Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?". Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Thompson, Richard D. and Kathryn L.. "[http://mojavehistory.com/lane1.html Pioneer of the Mojave: The Life and Times of Aaron G. Lane]". MojaveHistory.com. http://mojavehistory.com/lane1.html. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
- ^ "Excerpt from "The Scripts of Citizen Kane" by Robert L. Carringer". http://criticalinquiry.uchicago.edu/issues/v5/v5n2.carringer.html. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
- ^ "Competition drives robo-car technology forward"". http://www.world-science.net/othernews/071105_driverless.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hifoxqq5ld0e~T1
[edit] External links
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- Victorville, California is at coordinates 34°31′14″N 117°20′40″W / 34.520459°N 117.344525°WCoordinates: 34°31′14″N 117°20′40″W / 34.520459°N 117.344525°W
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