San Andreas, California

Last updated

San Andreas, California
2009-0724-CA-SanAndreas-MainSt.jpg
Main Street
Motto: 
“It’s not our fault.” [1]
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
San Andreas, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 38°11′46″N120°40′50″W / 38.19611°N 120.68056°W / 38.19611; -120.68056
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States
State Flag of California.svg  California
County Flag of Calaveras County, California.png Calaveras
Area
[2]
  Total8.394 sq mi (21.741 km2)
  Land8.378 sq mi (21.700 km2)
  Water0.016 sq mi (0.041 km2)  0.19%
Elevation
[3]
926 ft (268 m)
Population
 (2010)
  Total2,783
  Density330/sq mi (130/km2)
Time zone UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes
95249-95250
Area code 209
FIPS code 06-64420
GNIS feature IDs 277590, 2409247
Reference no.252

San Andreas (Spanish for "St. Andrew") is an unincorporated census-designated place and the county seat of Calaveras County, California. The population was 2,783 at the 2010 census, up from 2,615 at the 2000 census. Like most towns in the region, it was founded during the California Gold Rush. The town is located on State Route 49 and is registered as California Historical Landmark #252. [4]

Contents

History

Old Calaveras County Courthouse, built 1867, served in that role for 100 years. Afterwards, it was turned into the Calaveras County Museum, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 2009-0724-CA-SanAndreas-CalaverasCtyCt.jpg
Old Calaveras County Courthouse, built 1867, served in that role for 100 years. Afterwards, it was turned into the Calaveras County Museum, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Settled by Mexican gold miners in 1848 and named after the Catholic parish St. Andrew, the town has been a noted mining camp since early days. [5] It existed as a tent city for the first few years, and even included a tent church. [5] A few miles outside of town is the Pioneer Cemetery, established in c. 1851. [6] [7]

In August 1982, a nugget of gold was found here and was sold to Wells Fargo & Co. for US$12,000. [5] The gold from the initially discovered placers gave out after a few years, but the discovery of gold in an underground river channel in 1853 revitalized the camp and it soon became a town. Mining of the channels was lucrative enough for the town to completely rebuild after fires in 1858 and 1863. The gold discovered here contributed greatly to the success of the Union during the Civil War.

In 1866, San Andreas became the seat of Calaveras County. It was said to be a rendezvous location for Joaquin Murrieta. Notorious highwayman Black Bart was tried here and sent to prison.

The post office was established in 1854. [8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 8.4 square miles (22 km2), of which, 99.81% is land and 0.19% is water.

Climate

San Andreas has a Mediterranean climate typical of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Winters are cool and wet with mild days, chilly nights, and substantial rainfall. Summers are hot and dry with very hot days, cool nights, and minimal rainfall. Due to the orographic effect, rainfall in all seasons is significantly greater than on the valley floor to the west.

Climate data for United States
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)55.5
(13.1)
60.3
(15.7)
64.7
(18.2)
69.6
(20.9)
79.1
(26.2)
88.0
(31.1)
94.9
(34.9)
94.0
(34.4)
88.7
(31.5)
78.6
(25.9)
64.8
(18.2)
55.7
(13.2)
74.5
(23.6)
Daily mean °F (°C)46.0
(7.8)
49.7
(9.8)
53.0
(11.7)
56.5
(13.6)
64.0
(17.8)
71.1
(21.7)
76.9
(24.9)
77.0
(25.0)
72.4
(22.4)
63.8
(17.7)
53.3
(11.8)
46.2
(7.9)
60.8
(16.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)36.6
(2.6)
39.0
(3.9)
41.3
(5.2)
43.4
(6.3)
48.9
(9.4)
54.2
(12.3)
59.0
(15.0)
59.9
(15.5)
56.1
(13.4)
48.9
(9.4)
41.7
(5.4)
36.7
(2.6)
47.2
(8.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm)5.34
(136)
5.15
(131)
4.41
(112)
2.13
(54)
1.15
(29)
0.27
(6.9)
0.04
(1.0)
0.07
(1.8)
0.35
(8.9)
1.50
(38)
2.82
(72)
4.21
(107)
27.45
(697)
Average relative humidity (%)74.670.066.659.451.443.538.638.239.446.963.472.655.4
Source: PRISM Climate Group [9]

Demographics

At the 2010 census San Andreas had a population of 2,783. The population density was 331.5 inhabitants per square mile (128.0/km2). The racial makeup of San Andreas was 2,453 (88.1%) White, 23 (0.8%) African American, 48 (1.7%) Native American, 28 (1.0%) Asian, 1 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 83 (3.0%) from other races, and 147 (5.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 255 people (9.2%). [10]

The census reported that 2,595 people (93.2% of the population) lived in households, 21 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 167 (6.0%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,146 households, 314 (27.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 449 (39.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 156 (13.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 66 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 91 (7.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 13 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 396 households (34.6%) were one person and 190 (16.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26. There were 671 families (58.6% of households); the average family size was 2.84.

The age distribution was 585 people (21.0%) under the age of 18, 197 people (7.1%) aged 18 to 24, 589 people (21.2%) aged 25 to 44, 777 people (27.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 635 people (22.8%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 45.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

There were 1,311 housing units at an average density of 156.2 per square mile (60.3/km2),of which 1,146 were occupied, 632 (55.1%) by the owners and 514 (44.9%) by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 13.3%. 1,404 people (50.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,191 people (42.8%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

In the state legislature, San Andreas is in the 8th Senate District , represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby, [11] and the 5th Assembly District , represented by Republican Joe Patterson. [12] Federally, San Andreas is in California's 5th congressional district , represented by Republican Tom McClintock. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calaveras County, California</span> County in California, United States

Calaveras County, officially the County of Calaveras, is a county in both the Gold Country and High Sierra regions of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 45,292. The county seat is San Andreas. Angels Camp is the county's only incorporated city. Calaveras is Spanish for "skulls"; the county was reportedly named for the remains of Native Americans discovered by the Spanish explorer Captain Gabriel Moraga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear Valley, Alpine County, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Bear Valley is a census-designated place in Alpine County, California, best known as the location of the Bear Valley ski area. The population was 121 at the 2010 census, down from 133 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels Camp, California</span> City in California, United States

Angels Camp, also known as City of Angels and formerly Angel's Camp, Angels, Angels City, Carson's Creek and Clearlake, is the only incorporated city in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 3,836 at the 2010 census, up from 3,004 at the 2000 census. It lies at an elevation of 1378 feet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnold, California</span> Census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, United States

Arnold is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 3,843 at the 2010 census, down from 4,218 at the 2000 census. Arnold is located on State Route 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Avery is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 646 at the 2010 census, down from 672 at the 2000 census. Avery is located on State Route 4 and is home to the oldest continually operating hotel in the county, the Avery Hotel Restaurant & Saloon. Built in 1853, it was known as the "Half Way House," being located between Murphys, Arnold, and Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Copperopolis, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Copperopolis is an unincorporated town and census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 3,671 at the 2010 census, up from 2,363 at the 2000 census. The town is located along State Route 4 and is registered as California Historical Landmark #296.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorrington, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Dorrington is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 609 at the 2010 census, down from 727 at the 2000 census. Originally known as Cold Spring Ranch until 1902, the town sits on State Route 4 and historically was a stopping point along the toll road between Murphys and Ebbetts Pass, often serving as a resort for visitors to what is now Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Dorrington is also home to the second largest Sugar Pine in the world, measuring 32 feet in circumference and 220 feet tall. The name Dorrington comes from the maiden name of Rebecca (Dorrington) Gardner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Meadows, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Forest Meadows is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 1,249 at the 2010 census, up from 1,197 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mokelumne Hill, California</span> Census designated place in California, United States

Mokelumne Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 646 at the 2010 census, down from 774 at the 2000 census. It is commonly referred to as "Moke Hill" by locals. The town takes its name from the neighboring Mokelumne River, which in turn is Miwok for the "people of Mokel," the likely name of a Native American village in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain Ranch, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Mountain Ranch is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 1,628 at the 2010 census, up from 1,557 at the 2000 census. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #282. The town center is quite small with fewer than 50 people living in it. The 5 mile square area surrounding the town accounts for the balance of the population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murphys, California</span> Census designated place in California, United States

Murphys, originally Murphys New Diggings then Murphy's Camp, is an unincorporated village located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 2,213 at the 2010 census, up from 2,061 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail Road Flat, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Rail Road Flat is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 475 at the 2010 census, down from 549 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vallecito, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Vallecito is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 442 at the 2010 census, up from 427 at the 2000 census. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #273. Nearby is Moaning Cavern, the largest cave chamber in California, which the Miwok Indians used as a burial ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallace, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Wallace is a census-designated place (CDP) at the far west edge of Calaveras County, California, United States on State Route 12. The population was 403 at the 2010 census, up from 220 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Point, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

West Point is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #268. There is an annual West Point Lumberjack Days festival in the community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brawley, California</span> City in California, United States

Brawley is a city in Imperial County, California, United States within the Imperial Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Juan Bautista, California</span> City in California, United States

San Juan Bautista is a city in San Benito County, in the U.S. state of California. The population was 2,089 as of the 2020 census. San Juan Bautista was founded in 1797 by the Spanish under Fermín de Lasuén, with the establishment of Mission San Juan Bautista. Following the Mexican secularization of 1833, the town was briefly known as San Juan de Castro and eventually incorporated in 1896. Today, San Juan is a popular tourist destination, as the home of the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park and other important historic sites, as well as cultural institutions like El Teatro Campesino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rancho Calaveras, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Rancho Calaveras is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 5,325 at the 2010 census, up from 4,182 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Lake, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

Elizabeth Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community on Elizabeth Lake (lake), in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,756.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North San Juan, California</span> Census-designated place in California, United States

North San Juan is a census-designated place in Nevada County, California, United States, along State Route 49 on the San Juan Ridge in Gold Country. The zip code is 95960. The population was 269 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. "Mego: Town motto can be a laughing matter, but maybe not for Naperville". Chicago Tribune .
  2. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  3. "San Andreas". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  4. "San Andreas". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Jenner, Gail L. (September 15, 2021). What Lies Beneath: California Pioneer Cemeteries and Graveyards. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 179. ISBN   978-1-4930-4896-0.
  6. Guide to the Mother Lode. Automobile Club of Southern California. 1971. p. 24.
  7. "California Historical Landmark #271: Pioneer Cemetery in Calaveras County". noehill.com. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  8. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 824. ISBN   1-884995-14-4.
  9. "PRISM Climate Group". Oregon State University . Retrieved June 25, 2020. Input coordinates: 38.1987 N, 120.6835 W.
  10. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - San Andreas CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  11. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  12. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  13. "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 2, 2013.