Nevada City, California Explained

Nevada City is the county seat of Nevada County, California, United States, 60miles northeast of Sacramento, southwest of Reno and northeast of San Francisco. The population was 3,152 as of the 2020 census.

History

The settlement was originally a Nisenan village named Ustumah.^{[6] [7]}

European Americans first settled Nevada City in 1849,^[8] during the California Gold Rush, as Nevada (Spanish for "snow-covered", a reference to the snow-topped mountains in the area). It was later called Deer Creek Dry Diggins, and Caldwell's Upper Store.^[9] The Gold Tunnel on the north side of Deer Creek was the city's first mine, built in 1850.^[10] The first sawmill in Nevada City was built on Deer Creek, just above town, in August 1850, by Lewis & Son, with a water wheel.^[11] In 1850–51, Nevada City was the state's most important mining town, and Nevada County the state's leading gold-mining county. In 1851, The Nevada Journal became the first newspaper published in the town and county.^[12] The first cemetery in town, the Pioneer Cemetery, was founded around 1851 behind the Nevada City United Methodist Church, Nevada County's first denominational church.^{[13] [14]}

The town of Nevada was incorporated on April 19, 1856. In 1864, the word “City” was added to its name to relieve confusion with the nearby state of Nevada, and the town has legally been known as Nevada City ever since. The former town of Coyoteville later became Nevada City's northwestern section.^[15]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 2.2sqmi, 99.83% of it land and 0.17% water.

Nevada, Missouri, is named after Nevada City.^[16]

Most of Nevada City lies on brown sandy loam soils of the Hoda series which developed on granitic rock.^[17]

Climate

Owing to its exposed location on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, Nevada City receives moderate to heavy rainfall for California at 59inches, though its climate is otherwise fairly typical for the state, classified as Mediterranean (Csa/Csb). Although exceedingly heavy snow falls on the nearby mountains, it rarely falls in the city. During a typical year, there are 31 days with temperatures of or higher, 75 freezing nights, and 60 days where the temperature fails to reach .^[18] The record high temperature is, set on August 14, 1933, and the record low is, set on January 21, 1937, and on December 9, 1972.^[19]

Demographics

2020

The 2020 U.S. Census showed that Nevada City had a population of 3,152. The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,684 (85.2%) White, 26 (0.8%) African American, 55 (1.7%) Native American, 53 (1.7%) Asian, 4 (0.12%) Pacific Islander, 65 (2.1%) from other races, and 265 (8.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 268 persons (8.5%).

There were 1,373 households and 1,623 housing units in Nevada City. 158 housing units (9.7%) are vacant.

There were 14.4% under 18 in Nevada City.

2010

The 2010 United States Census^[20] reported that Nevada City had a population of 3,068. The population density was 1399.7sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of Nevada City was 2,837 (92.5%) White, 26 (0.8%) African American, 28 (0.9%) Native American, 46 (1.5%) Asian, 0 (0%) Pacific Islander, 40 (1.3%) from other races, and 91 (0.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 205 persons (6.7%).

The Census reported that 2,829 people (92.2% of the population) lived in households, 56 (1.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 183 (6.0%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,356 households, out of which 317 (23.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 510 (37.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 155 (11.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 79 (5.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 97 (7.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 15 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 488 households (36.0%) were made up of individuals, and 168 (12.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09. There were 744 families (54.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.67.

The population was spread out, with 517 people (16.9%) under the age of 18, 199 people (6.5%) aged 18 to 24, 720 people (23.5%) aged 25 to 44, 1,075 people (35.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 557 people (18.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

There were 1,510 housing units at an average density of 688.9/mi2, of which 786 (58.0%) were owner-occupied, and 570 (42.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%. 1,678 people (54.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 1,151 people (37.5%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census^[21] of 2000, there were 3,001 people, 1,313 households, and 740 families residing in the city. The population density was 1425sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,415 housing units at an average density of 671.9/mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.4% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% 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.

Economy

Tourism

Nevada City's tourist attractions include:

• Nevada City Winery was the first bonded winery to open in Nevada County after Prohibition.^[22]

Arts and culture

Live music, theater and dance are performed at Miners Foundry Cultural Center, and the Nevada Theatre.

Museums

• Firehouse No. 1 Museum
• Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum
• The Miners Foundry Cultural Center has a small museum

Recurring events

Recurring and annual events include:

• Mardi Gras, Fourth of July Parade, Teddy Bear Convention, and Psychic Faire.
• Constitution Day Parade, founded in 1967; one of the oldest and largest Constitution Day observances in the western United States.^[23]
• Wild and Scenic Film Festival, founded in 2003, showcasing films about environmental issues, outdoor adventure, and extreme sports.^[24]
• Nevada City Film Festival, founded in 2001.^[25]
• Nevada City Storytelling Festival, founded in 1985.^[26]
• Summer Nights, an outdoor street festival of art and music.^[27]
• Victorian Christmas street fair.^[28]
• Nevada City Classic,^[29] founded in 1960, a professional cycling race.^[30]

Buildings and structures

See main article: Buildings and structures in Nevada City, California.

The Nevada City Downtown Historic District included several sites on the National Register of Historic Places or which have California Historical Landmark status.

Government

Nevada City elects a five-member city council. Council members select the mayor and vice mayor from their ranks. Council members appoint residents to a five-member Planning Commission.

Nevada City launched a "Goat Fund Me" campaign to raise $25,000 to have goats graze through dense brush in the municipal greenbelt. Nevada City is considered particularly at risk of wildfire, a "very high fire hazard severity zone" because of its wooded steep hillsides, narrow streets, 19th-century Gold Rush-era homes, and thick tree canopy.^{[31] [32] [33]}

County, state, and federal representation

Nevada City is in Nevada County.^[34] The District 1 Supervisor is Heidi Hall.^[35]

In the state legislature, Nevada City is in,^[36] and .^[37]

Nevada City is in .^[38]

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Nevada City has 2,353 registered voters. Of those, 1,225 (52.1%) are registered Democrats, 384 (16.3%) are registered Republicans, and 297 (12.6%) have declined to state a political party.^[39]

Education

Nevada City has its own school district with three schools: Deer Creek (K–4), Seven Hills (5–8) and Nevada City Charter School (K–8).^[40] Other large schools in the area include Nevada City School of the Arts, Yuba River Charter School, and Forest Charter School^[41]

After 8th grade, most students attend Nevada Union High School in nearby Grass Valley as part of the Nevada Joint Union School District. Other high schools in the area include Silver Springs High School, Ghidotti High School, Sierra Academy of Expeditionary Learning, Forest Charter, Bitney Prep High School, and Bear River.^[42]

Higher education

Other local schools include the California College of Ayurveda and Connected Communities Academy.

Notable people

• Lexie Alford (born 1998), youngest person to travel to every country^[43]
• Tina Basich (born 1969), professional snowboarder
• Donald J. Butz, U.S. Air Force (born 1933), Major General
• Jennie Carter (1830–1881) African-American journalist and essayist
• Anthony Chabot (1813–1888), 19th-century businessman and entrepreneur; co-inventor of hydraulic mining in Nevada City
• Peter Collier (1939–2019), political author, editor of RAMPARTS magazine
• Joseph Cornell (born 1950), naturalist and author
• Alela Diane (born 1983), singer/songwriter
• Matt DiBenedetto (born 1991), NASCAR driver
• Heather Donahue, actress, American writer
• Eleanor Dumont (1829–1879), professional gambler
• Alasdair Fraser (born 1955), Scottish fiddler and owner of Culburnie Records
• Noah Georgeson (born 1975), musician, producer
• Felix Gillet (1835–1908), pioneer California horticulturist
• Oakley Hall (1920–2008), novelist
• Robert M. Hunt (1828–1902), physician
• Roger Hodgson (born 1950), singer/songwriter and ex-Supertramp member
• Swami Kriyananda (1926–2013), spiritual teacher and founder of Ananda Village
• Cliff Kushler, inventor
• Charles Marsh, possibly Nevada City's first resident and namer of the town^[44]
• Tully Marshall (1864–1943), actor
• Jim McClarin (born 1945/1946), politician^[45]
• John McEntire (born 1970), drummer, recording engineer, and music producer
• Thomas Bard McFarland (1828–1908), associate justice of the Supreme Court of California
• Stephen McNallen (born 1948), Germanic Neopagan leader and writer
• Joanna Newsom (born 1982), harpist, singer/songwriter, and actress
• Tim O'Connor (1927–2018), actor
• John Olmsted (1938–2011), naturalist, co-creator of The Independence Trail State Park
• Utah Phillips (1935–2008), folk singer, activist
• Ed Reimers (1912–2009), actor and television announcer
• Terry Riley (born 1935), composer
• Gyan Riley (born 1977), guitarist and composer
• Alexander Rossi (born 1991), professional race car driver, winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in 2016
• Julia Ann Rudolph, photographer who had a studio in the city from 1856 to around 1860
• Aaron A. Sargent (1827–1887), U.S. Senator^[46]
• Lorenzo Sawyer (1820–1891), Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court
• Niles Searls (1825–1907), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California
• Claus Sievert (1949–2009), printmaker, illustrator^[47]
• Mariee Sioux (born 1985), singer/songwriter
• Gary Snyder (born 1930), poet
• Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight (born 1953), editor
• Evan Strong (born 1986), professional snowboarder
• Heinrich Sylvester Theodor Tiling (1818–1871), physician and botanist

In popular culture

Nevada City was the setting for the 2006 Hallmark Channel original movie, The Christmas Card.

Twin cities

Nevada City is twinned with Penzance, a seaside town in Cornwall, UK, and the nearby tin and copper mining town of St Just in Penwith, Cornwall, UK.^[48] The twinning is a result of Cornish migration during the Californian gold rush in which Cornish mining expertise migrated to the area. City Hall has a room dedicated to the twinning and houses Cornish memorabilia and items donated on various exchanges. Penzance Youth Wind Band has joined forces with Nevada Union High School's instrumental music department on two occasions.

See also

• Scotts Flat Lake
• Yuba River
• The Willo Steakhouse

Further reading

• 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.
• Book: Marsh, Martin Keith . The Yellowjackets: A History of Nevada City High School Football (1901–1951) . 2001 . Cottage Hill . Grass Valley, CA . 978-0-9658240-2-6 .
• Nevada City Chamber of Commerce. (1932). Homes among the hills: Nevada City, California : gold, health, happiness. Nevada City, Calif.?: Nevada City Chamber of Commerce?.

External links

• • Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
• Nevada City at Western Mining History. Accessed August 22, 2021.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Official Website. March 11, 2023.
2. Web site: California Cities by Incorporation Date . Word . California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions . August 25, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc . November 3, 2014 .
3. Web site: 2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2020.
4. December 4, 2014.
5. Web site: US Census Bureau . www.census.gov . 6 August 2024.
6. Book: Nevada City . 9780738530628 . Brower . Maria E. . November 15, 2023 . Arcadia .
7. Book: Middleton . Elisabeth Rose . University of California, Berkeley . "We were here, we are here, we will always be here": A political ecology of healing in Mountain Maidu country . November 13, 2011 . 2008 . 978-1-109-10064-8 . 387– .
8. Web site: About Nevada City - Nevada City, CA. www.nevadacityca.gov. March 8, 2019.
9. Web site: Nevada City, Queen City of the Northern Hills . https://web.archive.org/web/19970117183136/http://www.ncgold.com/History/NCityHis.html . dead . January 17, 1997 . July 21, 2008 . ncgold.com .
10. Book: Lindgren, Waldemar. The Gold-quartz Veins of Nevada City and Grass Valley Districts, California. March 16, 2013. Public domain. 1896. U.S. Government Printing Office. 207–.
11. Book: Sargent, Aaron Augustus. Brown & Dallison's Nevada, Grass Valley and Rough and Ready Directory ...: For the Year Commencing ... Embracing a General Directory of Citizens, with an Historical Sketch of Nevada County. March 16, 2013. Public domain. 1856. Printed at the Town Talk Office. 20–.
12. Book: Bean's history and directory of Nevada County, California: Containing a complete history of the county, with sketches of the various towns and mining camps ... also, full statistics of mining and all other industrial resources. March 3, 2013. Public domain. 1867. Printed at the Daily Gazette Book and Job Office. 40.
13. Book: Brower, Maria E. . Nevada City . 2005 . Arcadia Publishing . 978-0-7385-3062-8 . 70–71 . en.
14. Web site: November 19, 2021 . Nevada City United Methodist Church to host annual Craft Faire . October 14, 2022 . The Union . en-US.
15. Book: Hoover, Mildred Brooke . Douglas E. Kyle . Hero Rensch . Historic spots in California. Stanford University Press. 2002. 5. 258. 978-0-8047-4482-9.
16. Book: How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named . The State Historical Society of Missouri . Eaton, David Wolfe . 1918 . 368.
17. Web site: SoilWeb: An Online Soil Survey Browser - California Soil Resource Lab. casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu. October 15, 2017.
18. Web site: Climatology of the United States No. 20: NEVADA CITY, CA 1971–2000 . NOAA . October 22, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140713093238/http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov/climatenormals/clim20/ca/046136.pdf . July 13, 2014 . dead .
19. Web site: NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA - Climate Summary. Wrcc.dri.edu. October 15, 2017.
20. Web site: 2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Nevada City city. https://archive.today/20140715031958/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0650874. dead. July 15, 2014. U.S. Census Bureau. July 12, 2014.
21. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
22. Book: McKowen. Dahlynn. McKowen. Ken. Wine-Oh! Guide to California's Sierra Foothills: From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary. 2009. Wilderness Press. 978-0-89997-492-7. 32–.
23. Web site: 43rd Annual Constitution Day Parade & Celebration Sept. 12–13 in Historic Nevada City. nevadacitychamber.com. June 22, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081120132537/http://www.nevadacitychamber.com/events/constitution.cfm. November 20, 2008.
24. Web site: Wild and Scenic Film Festival. wildandscenicfilmfestival.org. December 6, 2010.
25. Web site: Nevada City Film Festival. nevadacityfilmfestival.com. February 13, 2012.
26. Web site: Queen of storytelling festivals celebrates its 24th year. sierrastorytellingfestival.org. June 22, 2009.
27. Web site: Nevada City Summer Nights 2017 - Nevada City California. Nevadacitychamber.com. October 15, 2017.
28. Web site: Nevada City Victorian Christmas 2017 - Nevada City California. Nevadacitychamber.com. October 15, 2017.
29. Web site: Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race. ncclassic.com. June 22, 2009.
30. News: Lance Armstrong Wins 2009 Nevada City Classic. Valentinsen. Thomas. June 22, 2009. roadcycling.com. August 17, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085011/http://www.roadcycling.com/Lance_Armstrong_Wins_2009_Nevada_City_Classic. August 19, 2014. dead.
31. News: 1A . A real life gamble: California races to predict which town could be the next victim . Ryan Sabalow . Phillip Reese . Dale Kasler . The Sacramento Bee . April 14, 2019 . Reno Gazette Journal . Destined to Burn.
32. Web site: After Paradise, Living With Fire Means Redefining Resilience. Westervelt. Eric. May 29, 2019. NPR News. en. June 1, 2019.
33. To Prevent Fires, One California Town Says 'Goat Fund Me'. Simon. Matt. January 10, 2019. Wired. June 1, 2019. 1059-1028.
34. Web site: Supervisorial District 1. Mynevadacounty.com. October 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20150222091714/http://www.mynevadacounty.com/search/pages/Results.aspx?k=District%201. February 22, 2015. dead.
35. Web site: Home Page. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407022636/http://www.mynevadacounty.com/nc/bos/District1/Pages/Home.aspx. April 7, 2012.
36. Web site: Senators . March 10, 2013 . State of California.
37. Web site: Members Assembly . March 2, 2013 . State of California.
38. March 2, 2013.
39. Web site: CA Secretary of State – Report of Registration – February 10, 2019. ca.gov. March 12, 2019.
40. Web site: Welcome :: . May 24, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161007152925/http://www.ncsd.k12.ca.us/Default.asp?L=0&LMID=&PN=Schools2&DivisionID=&DepartmentID=&SubDepartmentID=&SubP= . October 7, 2016 .
41. Web site: 2015-16 Enrollment Summary - as of October 7, 2015. Nevco.org. October 15, 2017.
42. Web site: Nevada Joint Union High School District - Nevada County Superintendent of Schools. nevco.org. October 15, 2017.
43. Web site: Ferry . David . Inside the mysterious sport of 'country collecting' . San Francisco Chronicle . June 18, 2021 . June 11, 2019.
44. Comstock, David Allan. "Charles Marsh: Our Neglected Pioneer-Genius," Nevada County Historical Society Bulletin, pp. 9, 10, Volume 50, No. 2, April 1996.
45. News: January 7, 1980 . Nevada City Man Aims For Congressional Seat . 3 . . December 18, 2023.
46. Web site: SARGENT, Aaron Augustus. Biographical Directory of United States Congress. March 18, 2015.
47. Web site: Kellar. Liz. November 8, 2010. Andersen gets 2 years in death of NC artist Sievert. September 10, 2020. The Union. en-US.
48. Web site: Twinning - Penzance Town Council, Cornwall. www.penzancetowncouncil.co.uk. March 8, 2019.