Martinez, California
Martinez, California | |
|---|---|
 Location in Contra Costa County and the state of California | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Counties | Contra Costa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.5 sq mi (34.8 km2) |
| • Land | 12.3 sq mi (31.7 km2) |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 35,866 |
| • Density | 2,656.7/sq mi (1,030.6/km2) |
Martinez is the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,866 at the 2000 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings. Martinez is located on the south side of the Carquinez Strait in the San Francisco Bay Area, directly facing the city of Benicia.
History
In 1824 the Alhambra Valley was included in a land grant to Don Ygnacio Martinez by the Mexican government for services rendered to the Mexican and Spanish armies.[1] By 1849, Martinez served as a way station for the California Gold Rush. It became the county seat in 1850, but could not incorporate at the time because it lacked the 200 registered voters required, and only became a city in 1876.[2] In 1847, Dr. Robert Semple contracted to provide ferry service from Martinez to Benicia, CA (across the Carquinez straight, Benicia was a growing community and state capitol for a year in 1852).[3]
Martinez was the home of John Muir from 1880 until his death in 1914. He was buried about one mile south of the building that is now the John Muir National Historic Site. Also nearby is the property is the Don Vicente Martinez Adobe, built in 1849 by the son of Rancho owner, Don Ygnacio Martinez, of the Rancho el Pinole. [4]
In 1860, Martinez played a role in the Pony Express, where riders would take the ferry from Benicia (particularly if they missed the steamer in Sacramento).[5] In 1915 Shell Oil Company built an oil refinery near Martinez, which sparked a building boom in the area. Martinez's oil refineries can still be seen today from Interstate 680, and it continues to be a significant port and petroleum processing center.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.8 km² (13.4 mi²). 31.7 km² (12.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (8.92%) is water.
Although the common perception of Martinez is that of a refinery town, given the view from Highway 680 across the Shell Refinery and the strong smell of petroleum that greets visitors coming from the Martinez-Benicia Bridge, the city is in fact largely surrounded by water and regional open space preserves. The Martinez-Benicia Bridge carries Highway 680 across the eastern end of the Carquinez Strait to Solano County.
The city can be defined as a more densely built downtown valley threaded by Alhambra creek and north of Highway 4. Suburban areas stretch south of Highway 4 to join the neighboring city of Pleasant Hill. Unincorporated areas include the rural Alhambra Valley and the Franklin Canyon area.
The Martinez Regional Shoreline bounds the city to the north along the Carquinez Strait. Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline includes the Franklin Hills west of downtown, stretching west to the unincorporated community of Port Costa and the town of Crockett. Briones Regional Preserve borders the Alhambra Valley to the south. Waterbird Regional Park and the McNabney Marsh border the city and Highway 680 to the east.
Martinez's location at the east end of the Carquinez Strait as it widens to Suisun Bay includes dramatic water views stretching to the Sierra rannge. From surrounding ridge tops views stretch to nearby Mt. Diablo, Mt. St. Helena, Mt. Tamalpais, etc.
Martinez is one of the only two places in the Bay Area--the other is the Golden Gate Bridge--where the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the San Francisco Bay Trail converge. The Bay Trail is a planned recreational corridor that, when complete, will encircle San Francisco and San Pablo Bays with a continuous 400-mile network of bicycling and hiking trails. It will connect the shoreline of all nine Bay Area counties, link 47 cities, and cross the major toll bridges in the region, including the Martinez-Benicia Bridge. To date, approximately 240 miles of the alignment—over half the Bay Trail’s ultimate length—have been completed. The Bay Area Ridge Trail ultimately will be a 500+ mile trail encircling the San Francisco Bay along the ridge tops, open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts of all types. So far, over 300 miles of trail have been dedicated for use. East Bay Regional Park District's Iron Horse Regional Trail will join the Bay Trail along the waterfront, and the Contra Costa Canal Trail threads through the city from Pleasant Hill to the south.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 35,866 people, 14,300 households, and 9,209 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,130.4/km² (2,927.6/mi²). There were 14,597 housing units at an average density of 460.1/km² (1,191.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.03% White, 3.35% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 6.63% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 4.72% from two or more races. 10.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,300 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,010, and the median income for a family was $77,411. Males had a median income of $52,135 versus $40,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,701. About 3.2% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Martinez.
The California Zephyr operates daily in each direction through Martinez between Emeryville, across the bay from San Francisco, and Chicago via Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Omaha.
The Coast Starlight operates daily in each direction through Martinez between Seattle and Los Angeles.
Amtrak operates its Capitol Corridor trains through Martinez, providing service several times daily between San Jose to the west and Reno, Nevada via Sacramento to the east.
Amtrak also operates its San Joaquin trains through Martinez, providing service several times daily between Oakland to the west and Bakersfield at the south end of the San Joaquin Valley. Bus connections can be made between Bakersfield and Los Angeles.
Schools
Covering most of Martinez, the Martinez Unified School District encompasses four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and two alternative/independent study schools. Students in K-5 attend John Swett, John Muir, Las Juntas, or Morello Park Elementary School. Martinez Junior High School serves students in grades 6 through 8. St. Catherine of Siena is a private Catholic school that serves grades K-8. Alhambra High School serves as the districts' comprehensive high school. As of 2006, the districts' K-12 enrollment was 4,194. Part of Martinez is served by the Mount Diablo Unified School District, whose Hidden Valley Elementary School is located in Martinez. Patchin's School was a former private school from Pre-School to 12 grade.
Environmental features
In early 2007, the creek that runs through downtown Martinez (Alhambra Creek) was adopted by beavers. The active pair built a 4-foot by 8-foot dam and nearby lodge close to the train station. Residents report that when city workers initially removed it, the dedicated team had fully rebuilt within three days. The animals have become a popular attraction for people visiting the city's downtown shops and restaurants. While concerns have been raised about the effect the dam and other structures will have on drainage, Mayor Rob Schroder says there are currently no plans to remove the animals.
In June two baby beavers made an appearance, followed by two more in July. Busily learning their parents' trade, they are great fun to watch. Beavers are known for changing their environment for the better --- since their arrival, the creek has become a haven for otter, muskrat and waterfowl. On August 4, 2007 a kit was found dead. The cause is not known, but is probably natural; illness or predation. The beavers remain very popular with residents, and a "beaver seminar" is even planned at the local library. Recently the city manager has been approached about using beaver-friendly techniques for discouraging the colony if it is determined they must be removed.
Notable features
Notable residents
- Yau-Man Chan, Survivor Fiji
- John Muir, Naturalist
- Joe Dimaggio, baseball player
- Jello Biafra, Song writer
Culture
Martinez is also purportedly the birthplace of the Martini.[6] New York Yankee baseball player Joe DiMaggio was born in 1914 in the town. And NFL head coach Norv Turner grew up in Martinez.
References
External links
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