Woodland (formerly, By Hell and Yolo City)[1] is the county seat of Yolo County, California. The population was 49,151 at the 2000 census. The town is a suburb of Sacramento and is part of the Sacramento – Arden-Arcade – Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It's about 15 miles from Sacramento. Woodland is positioned alongside Interstate 5, a major artery for west coast transport, and therefore is home to a number of trucking companies. Woodland is also a largely agricultural community. It also has very close access to Sacramento International Airport.
Woodland's origins trace back to the year 1850 when California gained its statehood and Yolo County was established. Since the town began to grow, it hasn't stopped. The area was well irrigated due to James Monroe, which drew people out to try their hand at farming. The city gained a federal post office and the next yeat the county seat was moved from Washington (West Sacramento, CA) to Woodland after Washington was flooded. With the addition of a railroad and the close proximity to Sacramento, Woodland has been a booming agricultural community.
Woodland Joint Unified School District services Woodland's K-12 education system.
History
Indigenous culture
Before the settlement of the area by people of European decent, the Woodland area was populated by the Poo-e-win, a dialect group of the Hill Patwin native Americans. Like most Patwin groups, the Poo-e-win occupied area near large streams of water such as the Sacramento River, as well as the Cache and Putah Creeks. They only settled in areas that were high enough to keep them safe from the seasonal flooding. The Poo-e-win tribelet of Yodoi at one time occupied the present site of Knights Landing. It is believed that the Poo-e-win most likely occupied the Woodland area in seasonal camps for hunting and seed gathering. The Poo-e-win and their neighbors had a main trading trail which followed Cache Creek near present day Davis, CA. This trade route served as an important means of cultural and social interchange in addition to a vital economic supply line for the Patwin and their neighbors, the Nomlaki to the north, the Nisenan to the east, and the Pomo to the west. Information about the Poo-e-win is limited compared to what is known about neighboring native groups. The proselytization and enslavement of the Poo-e-win by the Spanish missionaries had quickly taken a toll on the them as diseases spread. A malarial epidemic in 1830-33 and a smallpox epidemic in 1837 decimated much of the surviving population. One historical document shows that the first workers used by the earliest farmers of Woodland in the 1850s were the native Patwin peoples.[2]
Beginnings
In 1851, the year after California became a state and Yolo County was formed, "Uncle Johnny" Morris settled in what is now the corner of First and Clover Streets in Woodland. Two years later he was followed by Henry Wyckoff who built a store he named "Yolo City".[3]
Yolo City might have stayed a lonely general store if Frank S. Freeman had not bought the store and acquired 160 acres of land in 1857 and began to develop a town that he envisioned would a trading center for one of the richest crop-growing counties in America. Freeman was giving land to anyone who would clear it and build their home on it. Freeman requested a U.S. Post Office and his wife Gertrude asked him to name it Woodland "on account of the wooded country about".[4] She was most likely referring to the Oak trees that used to surround the city, but have long since been gone. The Woodland Post Office was established in 1861 and Freeman was made the Postmaster. He lost no time in further developing the town by leasing or selling buildings for businesses to use.
Woodland had a lot going for it during the 1860s. It gained a post office, had the county seat permanently moved to it after Washington (West Sacramento) had flooded, schools, homes, churches, and a cemetery were built, a local newspaper was established, and most importantly the construction of a rail line was implemented.
In 1869, the California Pacific Railroad Company constructed a line between Davisville (now Davis, CA) and Marysville with a Woodland station in the area of College Street and Lincoln Avenue. The rail line expanded and was eventually acquired by Southern Pacific Railroad. The track was then relocated from College Street to East Street, which was then the eastern edge of the city. This addition of the railroad is what led to the expansion of Woodland as a town. Up till this point, people were building primarily Main Street and north. Now, expansion was heading westward and southern as well.
The City of Woodland was incorporated in 1871 and its residents now had a multitude of services such as regular train and telegraph operations, telephone services, gas, water, electricity, street lights, and graveled streets.
On a related note, many of the streets and parks around town were named after those who helped pioneer the City of Woodland. Some good examples include Freeman Park, Farnham Ave, Lusk Dr, and Ashley Ave.
20th century
Woodland's Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1900 in order to help business flourish in the city. During this time public activism helped Woodland get a library, a city park, and an improved cemetery. In 1910 Woodland was the largest city in the county with a population of 3,187. For the next 40 years, Woodland continued growing slowly but steadily in population, businesses and industries. Its industrial plants were mainly agricultural, and three rice mill, a sugar beet refinery and tomato cannery were built during this time.
The post-war era meant explosive growth both for California and for Woodland as well. Between 1950 and 1980, Woodland's population tripled, and the town today still is growing. In the 1950s, Woodland is said to have had the most millionaires per capita of any city in California. Industrial plants and distribution centers have grown in the northeast, and there are new subdivisions and shopping centers around the town's area. Since the late 1960s, there has been an increase of interest in preserving the town's historic buildings, and an impressive number of them have been restored for use as homes, offices, stores and museums. It has been published that "Fabulous First Street," as First Street is sometimes referred to, may have the most examples of different styles of architecture than any other street in the United States. Many of the most famous examples are the different styles of Victorian homes, some of which date back before 1900. These homes are showcased in Woodland's "Stroll Through History".
In the 1970s Interstate 5 construction was completed and the freeway curves around Woodland. Over time, I-5 and State Route 113 have replaced the railroads as major transportation arteries.
Present
Within the past decade, Woodland has grown immensely with many additions to the community.New houses have been built, Numerous subdivisions have been built (mainly on the east side of town) and several major chain stores have opened business in Woodland. The most recent being Costco, and a new Target replacing the one at County Fair Mall, thus anchoring a new shopping plaza next to County Road 102 and I-5.
A new high school, Pioneer, was opened in the 2003-04 school year, with plans for a new elementary school and middle school in the Pioneer High School vicinity to be constructed within the next few years.
Geography
Woodland is located at 38°40′27″N, 121°46′21″W (38.674054, -121.772498)[5].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.3 square miles (26.7 km²), all of it land.
All of the land in and around Woodland is relatively flat. The mostly arable land that is characteristic of the Central Valley surrounds the city and harvests tomatoes, corn, and other produce.
Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 49,151 people, 16,751 households, and 12,278 families residing in the city. By December 2006, Woodland grew to 55,996 people. The population density was 4,765.7 people per square mile (1,840.7/km²). There were 17,120 housing units at an average density of 1,660.0/sq mi (641.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 66.84% White (48.5% by December 2006), 1.28% African American (1.3% by December 2006), 1.46% Native American, 3.77% Asian 7.4% by December 2006], 0.28% Pacific Islander, 21.50% from other races, and 4.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.83% of the population (42.8% by December 2006).
There were 16,751 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.37.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,449 ($50,309 in December 2006), and the median income for a family was $48,689. Males had a median income of $34,606 versus $27,086 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,042. About 9.2% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Woodland and the immediate surrounding area has largely been based on agriculture. To this day, Yolo County is one of the largest crop producers in the state. Similarly, the transportation industry has played a large part in Woodland's economy. With heavy agricultural production comes the need to transport it. With agriculture and transportation still playing a huge role in the town's activities, over the years Woodland has branched out into other sectors as well.
The industrial sector has grown in Woodland as is seen by the numerous manufacturing and warehouse centers. Modular homes are one of the largest manufactured goods in town. Several retail stores have warehouses in Woodland or just outside of city limits.
When the price of homes rose in California during the first half of the decade, Woodland was near the front of the wave due to many factors including proximity to Sacramento and its maintenance of a small community feeling. As a result, in 2002 Woodland had the highest percentage increase in property value in the nation.
Ease of access to the city provided by the close proximity of I-5 and I-80 as well as the Sierra Northern Railway and the California Northern Railroad are most likely why businesses thrive in Woodland. Woodland's nearness to Sacramento, CA and San Francisco, CA metro areas also provide businesses another reason to set up shop in town.
Arts and culture
Woodland is a city rich in history and a "small town community" feeling. There are many activities the community puts on, most of which are free for patrons.
Annual events
The Yolo County Fair is held in Woodland in the middle of August each year, running Wednesday afternoon through Sunday evening. It is one of the last free admission fairs in the state of California. People come from all over Northern California to enjoy this event. There are demolition derbies in the fairground's arena, local FFA and 4-H competitions going on, as well as several other agricultural related competitions. One of the newest and most popular attractions of the county fair is the "Yolo Idol Search" based of the TV show American Idol. There are also several exhibition halls were fair-goers can peruse through stands set up by local businesses and groups.
The Stroll Through History is a widely celebrated event in Woodland. It is used to increase awareness and appreciation of the history and heritage of Woodland. There are guided walking tours through several historic areas of Woodland, displays of historic equipment, vehicles, and other historical finds, as well as tours inside several of Woodland's historic Victorian homes. Some of the Stroll Through History is free while other parts require tickets purchased in advanced. This event usually takes place within the first two weeks of September.
The Woodland Dynamite Chili Cook-off is a newer addition to Woodland's cultural activities. With this year being its tenth annual event, the cook-off has drawn a lot of people out to taste chili. This event also includes other activities such as bounce houses, pony rides and games for the children; live music as well as other food and drink for the adults. The cook off is held the third Saturday of each September in the Heritage Plaza at the Fairgrounds.[7]
The City of Woodland and Woodland Chamber of Commerce put on a Christmas Parade each year that draws a crowd between 20,000 to 35,000 people in downtown Woodland. It is one of the largest holiday parades in Northern California. Starting in 1964, the Woodland Christmas Parade now has around 150 entries each year, including marching bands, floats, dance groups, military units, and novelty entries from local groups as well as from the surrounding area. The parade runs through Woodland's "Historic Downtown", along Main Street beginning at the intersection of Main Street and California Street and ending at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street.
Museums and other points of interest
Woodland has several small museums. The Heidrick Ag History Center is a "one of a kind" agricultural museum. It showcases rare and unique agricultural machinery dating from the late 1800s to the middle of the 20th century. Partnering with the Heidrick Ag Center, is the Hays Antique Truck Museum which has over 100 makes of different commercial trucks. These were found and restored by Wayne Hays, a retired commercial truck driver who created the museum. On display in Hays' museum there is also trucking memorabilia, trailers, tools, equipment, and other things related to trucking.
Another local museum is the Yolo County Historical Museum. It is located on 2.5 acres in the former home of Woodland pioneer William and Mary Gibson. The construction of the house itself was started in 1857 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum acquired the property in 1975 and it houses furnishings and artifacts dating from the 1850s to the 1930s. Locally called 'The Gibson Mansion', the house and the property depict everyday living from that era as well as changing exhibits regarding Yolo County history.
Another site of interest is the Woodland Public Library. The original structure was funded by Andrew Carnegie and was constructed in 1905. The Woodland Public Library is the oldest library funded by Carnegie in California that still functions as such.[8]
The Woodland Opera House is a California Historical Landmark and a California State Historic Park that was originally built in 1885 and was rebuilt due to fire in 1895-1896. The opera house was rebuilt on the same site with some of the intact bricks and foundation. It was the first opera house to serve the Sacramento Valley. Some notable performers on its stage include John Philip Sousa and his band, Verna Felton, and Madame Helena Modjeska. Closed in part due to the rise in the motion picture industry, and partly due to a lawsuit involving an injury, the opera house was closed in 1913 until recently. Renovations allowed for the historic building to be opened up again and it is now an acting venue in town. Several major productions are shown throughout the year and many bands use the venue. Much of the building is still the original late 20th and early 21st century furnishing.
Government
Local
Woodland was incorporated as a general law city, governed by a five-member Council, with the Mayor serving as presiding officer. The Mayor and four Council members are elected officials serving four-year terms. The Council selects the Vice Mayor based on the member who received the greatest amount of votes. This Council member then serves as Mayor during their last two years of office. Day to day, the city is run by a city manager, and has 376 permanent staff positions.[9]
State and federal
In the California State Legislature, Woodland is located in the 5th Senate District, represented by Democrat Michael Machado, and in the 8th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Lois Wolk. Federally, Woodland is in California's 1st Congressional District and is represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.
Education
Woodland Joint Unified School District services the 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, a continuation high school, and the adult education center[10] in town.
There are several private schools in town. They include Woodland Christian School, a ministry of the First Baptist Church, which offers classes for children from preschool through high school; Holy Rosary Parish School, ran by Holy Rosary Parish, offers enrollment from preschool to 8th grade; Montessori Children's House offers enrollment from preschool through 6th grade; Woodland Adventist School gives classes from preschool to 8th grade; and a private school entitled Abby's School has enrollment for preschool and kindergarten.
Yuba Community College District oversees Woodland Community College, a now fully accredited college.
Media
The local newspaper of Woodland is the Daily Democrat. It was established in 1857 before the City of Woodland was incorporated. The WAVE (Woodland Access Visual Enterprises) Channel 21 is Woodland's public access television station which airs footage from a variety of community activities. Some examples are local high school football games, the Yolo County Fair, the Woodland Christmas Parade, as well as televised classes from Woodland Community College. Anyone from the community is able to air approved content.
Several movies have also been filmed, at least partially, in Woodland. They include the movie Farewell Bender, Bloodsport (film), Letters from a Killer, and selected scenes from Three Men and a Baby.
Woodland Court House, California
Infrastructure
Transportation
Woodland is served by Yolo County Transportation District commonly termed 'YOLOBUS'. There are many routes to and from Downtown Sacramento, Davis, Cache Creek Casino Resort, and other areas of Yolo County. Two freeways run through the city, State Route 113 and Interstate 5. Many of the surface streets in town run North and South or East and West definitively. That is to say, the roads (especially older roads) are straight, and the city is therefore made into a grid with the intersecting streets.
Most transportation is done by automobile, but because Woodland is still a relatively small community, it is easy to find people walking or riding their bicycle instead of driving. Main Street, Woodland's "Historic Downtown" is a perfect example of where it is easier to walk a short distance than it is to drive, due to the frequent intersections and small streets.
Utilities
Woodland receives its natural gas and electricity services from Pacific Gas & Electric. The City of Woodland provides water utility services and Waste Management deals with waste services in the town.
Healthcare
The biggest medical facility in town is Woodland Healthcare, a member of Catholic Healthcare West. Other facilities include Sutter Health and private practices.
Famous Woodlanders
Sister cities
Woodland has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:[12] since there are a lot of people from La Piedad here.citation needed
See also
References
External links
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