Nevada City (formerly Deer Creek Dry Diggins, and Caldwell's Upper Store)[1] is the county seat of Nevada County, California, USA, 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Sacramento. In 1900, 3,250 people lived in Nevada City, California; in 1910, 2,689 lived there. The population was 3,001 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Spanish word meaning "snow-covered," referring to the snow-topped mountains in the area.
It was first settled in 1849, during the California Gold Rush, under the name Nevada ("City" was added in 1864 to avoid confusion with the State of Nevada).[1] In 1850-51, it was the most important mining town in the state, Nevada County being the leading gold-mining county in the state. Nevada City was incorporated in 1875 and chartered in 1885.
Geography
Nevada City is located at 39°15′41″N, 121°1′7″W (39.261435, -121.018602)[2].
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
As of the census[3] 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[4] and is represented by Republican John Doolittle.
Notable residents
- Jennifer Burnes, member of the San Francisco psychedelic instrumental surf band The Mermen, is a former resident of Nevada City.
- Roger Hodgson, singer/songwriter and ex-Supertramp member, resides in Nevada City.
- Joanna Newsom grew up in Nevada City, which she claimed to be "swarming with artists and hippies and old prospectors..."[5].
- Utah Phillips, folk singer, former resident of Nevada City.
- Terry Riley, renowned minimalist composer has a home in Nevada City.
- Ron Rodecker, creator of Dragon Tales
- Aaron Augustus Sargent, U.S. Senator from California.
- Gary Snyder, poet associated with the Beat generation, resides in Nevada City.
- Alela Diane, singer/songwriter currently lives in Nevada City.
- Tina Basich, American Snowboarder currently lives in Nevada City.
Historical buildings
- Nevada Theatre (California Historical Landmark No. 863), 401 Broad Street, is California's oldest original-use theatre.
- The South Yuba Canal Office (California Historical Landmark No. 832), 134 Main Street, was used during the period of 1857 to 1880.
- The National Hotel (California Historical Landmark No. 899), 211 Broad Street, is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels west of the Rocky Mountains.
- The Miners Foundry (California Historical Landmark No. 1012), 325 Spring Street, was the first manufacturing location of the Pelton wheel.
- The art deco facades of the court house and city hall are attributable to Works Progress Administration projects.[1]
Books
- 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.
- Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. (1932). Homes among the hills: Nevada City, California : gold, health, happiness. Nevada City, Calif.?: Nevada City Chamber of Commerce?.
- Marsh, Martin Keith (2001). The Yellowjackets: A History of Nevada City High School Football (1901-1951). Grass Valley, CA: Cottage Hill. ISBN 0965824020.
External links
References
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