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Ridgecrest, California

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City of Ridgecrest
City
View of Ridgecrest
View of Ridgecrest
Location in Kern County and the state of California
Location in Kern County and the state of California
Sign pointing to Ridgecrest and the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station
Sign pointing to Ridgecrest and the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyKern
Government
 • MayorSteve Morgan
 • SenateRoy Ashburn (R)
 • AssemblyJean Fuller (R)
 • U. S. CongressKevin McCarthy (R)
Area
[1]
 • Total21.417 sq mi (55.469 km2)
 • Land20.766 sq mi (53.783 km2)
 • Water0.651 sq mi (1.685 km2)  3.04%
Elevation
[2]
2,290 ft (698 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total27,616
 • Density1,300/sq mi (500/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
93555-93556
Area code760
FIPS code06-60704
GNIS feature ID1652783
WebsiteCity of Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest, formerly known as Crumville, was incorporated as a city in 1913. It is located in the Indian Wells Valley in northeastern Kern County, California, adjacent to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS, or China Lake). Ridgecrest is the only incorporated city along US 395 in Kern County. The population was 27,616 at the 2010 census, up from 24,927 at the 2000 census. The city of Ridgecrest is a largely "company" oriented (China Lake, above) community big enough to provide plenty of fine schools, shopping and health care, and hospitals.

Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges; the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the north, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains on the south. It is approximately 82 miles (132 km) from the Lancaster/Palmdale area and approximately 145 miles (233 km) from both Bakersfield and San Bernardino, the three nearest major urban centers. Air travel in and out of the city is provided through the Inyokern Airport.

Ridgecrest is within two hours of the highest and the lowest points in the conterminous U.S.[3]

History

Before this little town was called "Crumville", it was a farming community. The settlement began as Crumville in 1912,[4] honoring James and Robert Crum, local dairymen.[4] The first post office opened in 1941. By 1943, Ridgecrest had grown to 115 homes and 196 residents. NOTS (Naval Ordnance Test Station) was established in November 1943, providing a strong job base for the years to come.[4]

Ridgecrest incorporated in 1963.[4] During this era the growth of Ridgecrest was governed by the continuing needs of the high tech industries coupled to the Naval Stations programs for testing arms and guidance systems.

Geography

Overview shot of Ridgecrest, from the west on CA-178.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.4 square miles (55.4 km2), of which 20.8 sq mi (53.9 km2) is land and 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2) of it (3.04%) is water. Ridgecrest is located in Indian Wells Valley, which is a southern extension of Owens Valley, broken up by the volcanic Coso Range.

1995 Ridgecrest earthquake

The area, associated with the Eastern California Shear Zone (ECSZ), has experienced numerous earthquake swarms in the past (groups of several thousand quakes under magnitude 6.0 or so) often with no obvious mainshock. The 1995 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence started on August 17, when a magnitude 5.5 quake, centered 18 kilometers (11 mi) north of the town of Ridgecrest, shook the area and spawned over 2,500 aftershocks over the course of the following five weeks. Then, on September 20, 1995, the second large quake struck the area: it measured magnitude 6.0, and was at that time the largest earthquake to hit southern California since the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Demographics

Sunset in Ridgecrest, California.

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Ridgecrest had a population of 27,616. The racial makeup of Ridgecrest was 21,387 White, 1,113 African American, 341 Native American, 1,209 Asian, 143 Pacific Islander, 1,836 from other races, and 1,587 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4,941 persons.[5]

2000

According to the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 24,927 people, 9,826 households, and 6,691 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,179.9 inhabitants per square mile (455.6/km2). There were 11,309 housing units at an average density of 535.3/sq mi (206.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.02% White, 3.53% Black or African American, 1.08% Native American, 3.88% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 4.93% from other races, and 3.98% from two or more races. 12.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,826 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,971, and the median income for a family was $52,725. Males had a median income of $46,993 versus $29,558 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,312. About 10.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

[6]

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Column templates
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table code?†
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  • 987 people in military barracks, etc.
  • 87 people in nursing homes
  • 33 people in other non-institutional group quarters
  • 22 people in state prisons

Local features and activities

Wildflowers in Ridgecrest, California.

[8] The most notable feature in the nearby area is the Coso People rock art in Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons. The Coso People were prolific artists and traded with distant tribes using tools crafted of stone. Archeological recovery at coastal Chumash sites in California indicates considerable trade with the Coso People.[9]

Other traditional activities present are:

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Maturango Museum

Main article: Maturango Museum
The front of the Maturango Museum

The Maturango Museum is located in Ridgecrest. The museum is best known for the guided tours on China Lake Naval Weapons Station (NAWS).[10] The Museum offers exhibits and displays featuring both the natural and the cultural history and diversity of the Northern Mojave Desert with exhibits of plants, animals, Native American artifacts, geology and contemporary arts and crafts.[11]

Main article: Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake or NAWS China Lake is an airborne weapons testing and training range located adjacent to Ridgecrest and operated by the United States Navy and its contractors. The officer's family housing on base is noted for their monthly 'pig parties' where a lawn ornament in the shape of a pig signaled where the neighborhood would gather for a family grill out. Each family would bring their meat to burn and a dish to share. At some point during the party, a decision was made to deposit the pig at another home for the location of next month's pig party.

Coso Rock Art District

Archaic abstract curvilinear-style petroglyphs near Ridgecrest, CA
Main article: Coso Rock Art District

Coso Rock Art District, sometimes equated with the Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons is a site containing over 20,000[12] Indian petroglyphs now located within Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, near China Lake and Ridgecrest, California. In fact, there are several other distinct canyons to the Coso Rock Art District besides the Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons. The most popular subjects are bighorn sheep, deer, and antelope.[13]

Big and Little Petroglyph Canyons were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964. In 2001, they were incorporated into a larger National Historic Landmark District, called Coso Rock Art District.

Walker Pass

Main article: Walker Pass

Walker Pass (el. 5,250 ft (1.60 km)) is a mountain pass by Lake Isabella in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains. It is located in northeastern Kern County, approximately 53 mi (85 km) ENE of Bakersfield and 10 mi (16 km) WNW of Ridgecrest. The pass provides a route between the San Joaquin Valley on the west and the Mojave Desert on the east.

Events calendar

[14]

  • Annually in September: Parade of 1,000 flags for Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. [15] (memorial service)

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Weather

Clouds in Ridgecrest, California.

The weather in the Indian Wells Valley (Ridgecrest, CA) is predominantly influenced by its high desert location. The climate is characterized by hot days and cool nights with extremely arid conditions prevailing throughout the summer months. The mean annual temperature for the Ridgecrest area is 75 °F (24 °C). There are wide annual temperature fluctuations that occur from a high of 119 °F (48 °C) to a low of 1 °F (−17 °C). The area is known to have wind as high 75 mph (121 km/h) on a sunny day. When ever winds exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) dust devils and dust clouds form in the area. December is the coolest month with an average maximum temperature of 60 °F (16 °C) and an average minimum temperature of 30 °F (−1 °C). The all-time minimum temperature of 1 °F (−17 °C) was recorded on December 23, 1963, and January 7, 1973. Ridgecrest is a desert, with an average of less than 5 inches (130 mm) "equivalent rainfall" per year, which includes less than 2 inches (51 mm) of snow.

July is the hottest month with an average maximum temperature of 103 °F (39 °C) and an average minimum temperature of 66 °F (19 °C). The all-time maximum temperature of 119 °F (48 °C) was recorded on July 31, 1971.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec. high °F 80 86 93 100 108 117 119 114 110 105 88 84
Avg high °F 60 66 71 79 87 97 103 101 94 83 69 60
Avg low °F 31 35 39 45 53 60 66 65 58 48 37 30
Rec. low °F 1 9 15 24 26 38 46 45 35 20 14 5
Avg precipitation in. 0.90 1.10 0.80 0.20 0.10 0.00 0.10 0.30 0.30 0.10 0.30 0.60
Source: Weather.com [16]

Education

Cerro Coso Community College

Sierra Sands Unified School District[17] includes the following elementary schools: Las Flores Elementary Currently displaced to Vieweg Elementary, Faller Elementary, Richmond Elementary, Gateway Elementary, and Pierce Elementary. For middle-schoolers, the school district includes James Monroe Middle School, and Murray Middle School. The district's primary high school, Sherman E Burroughs High School, serves Ridgecrest, China Lake NAWC, Inyokern, Buttermilk Acres, Red Mountain, and Randsburg. There is also an alternative high school, Mesquite High School.[18]

Ridgecrest Charter School is a public charter school[19] unaffiliated with the district. Private schools include Saint Ann Elementary and Middle School,[20] serving students K-8; Immanuel Christian School,[21] covering pre-K to high school; and Adventist Christian School, which serves grades 1–8. There is also an independent study public charter school, Opportunities For Learning,[22] for students in grades 7–12.

College

Main article: Cerro Coso Community College

Cerro Coso Community College was established in 1973 and has a full-time enrollment of 2,347.[23] The 420 acres (1.7 km2) Indian Wells Valley Campus (IWV) is located in the upper Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest.[24] The IWV Campus is the largest of the Cerro Coso campuses. It serves a population of about 50,000. The College serves the communities of Ridgecrest, China Lake, Inyokern, and Trona.

Public library

Ridgecrest Branch Library, a branch of the Kern County Library, serves Ridgecrest, Inyokern, China Lake, Trona and surrounding communities. Obtaining funding to run the library has been difficult in recent years, due in part to the recession and cuts in the county budget.

Public safety

Ridgecrest City Hall and Police Department.

Ridgecrest has its own police department, as well as a regional station of the Kern County Sheriff's Department, with the Kern County Fire Department[25] providing fire protection and Emergency Medical Services. Full-time Law Enforcement Employees in 2008: 56 (41 officers).

Crime statistics for 2009 (reported by the Ridgecrest Police Department):[26]

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Notable natives and residents

Notable natives include Mark Hoppus of Blink 182.[27]

Kelly Whealan George- Hall of Fame Swimmer. Lived in Ridgecrest, CA, from 1995-1998.

Media

Looking south in Ridgecrest, CA

Ridgecrest is served by two newspapers, The Daily Independent and the News Review, as well as a mixture of local broadcast stations and repeaters from radio and TV stations based in Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The repeaters are operated by the IWV TV Booster. Radio stations in the area include KLOA (AM) 1240, broadcasting an oldies format, KZIQ 92.7, featuring country music and local news, K296AI 107.1, with KCNV classical music feed. KRCK, "Ridgecrest Radio", went off the air in the 1970s. TV repeater K05FO 5 rebroadcasts KTLA.

See also

References

  1. ^ U.S. Census
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ridgecrest, California
  3. ^ "CITY OF RIDGECREST, CA". analyzed data. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1096. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  5. ^ http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.ST13&prodType=table US Census Bureau
  6. ^ "City-data – Ridgecrest, CA – Info". analyzed data from numerous sources. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
  7. ^ "City-data – People in group quarters / Ridgecrest, California". analyzed data from numerous sources. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  8. ^ "Things To Do in the Indian Wells Valley". data from the Naval Air Weapons Station. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
  9. ^ C.Michael Hogan (2008) Morro Creek, ed. by A. Burnham
  10. ^ "Maturango Museum Home Page". Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  11. ^ "The Maturango Museum". data from Desert USA. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  12. ^ NPS RedbookTemplate:NRIS dead link
  13. ^ NHL WriteupTemplate:NRIS dead link
  14. ^ "DesertUSA – Events Calendar for Ridgecrest, Ca". comprehensive resource about the North American deserts. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  15. ^ "9/11 Parade of 1,000 flags". Ridgecrest Daily Independent. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  16. ^ Weather.com for Ridgecrest, California- Temperature and Precipitation http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/93555Weather for Ridgecrest, California- Temperature and Precipitation. Retrieved May 1, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ "Sierra Sands Unified School District". Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  18. ^ "Mesquite High School". Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  19. ^ "Ridgecrest Charter School". Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  20. ^ "Saint Ann School". Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  21. ^ "Immanuel Christian School". Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  22. ^ "Opportunities For Learning Public Charter Schools". Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  23. ^ "Cerro Coso Community College – Main website". Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  24. ^ "Indian Wells Valley Campus". Retrieved March 25, 2009.
  25. ^ "Kern County Fire Department". Retrieved March 10, 2009.
  26. ^ "RPD Crime Statistics". Ridgecrest Police Department. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
  27. ^ Binelli, Mark (September 16, 1999), "Q&A: Blink-182's Mark Hoppus", Rolling Stone (821)
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