California Junction, Iowa
Encyclopedia
California Junction is an unincorporated town in Harrison County
, Iowa
, United States
. It lies just east of the junction between the east-west and north-south lines of the former Sioux City and Pacific Railroad. In the 2010 census it had a population of 85 inhabitants and a population density of 184.38 people per square mile (71.19/km²).
, California Junction has a total area of 0.461 square miles (1.19 km²), all of it land.
was 184.38 people per square mile (71.19/km²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 73.75 per square mile (28.57/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.82% White and 1.18% from two or more races. Of the total population, 4.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
during the later half of the 1850s. Yazoo Landing was a ferry crossing on the Missouri River
where the Blair Bridge
now stands. The present settlement was established in 1880, after the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was built. John I. Blair
, the railroad tycoon, believed that this would be an important hub for passengers heading west, and gave the town its current name. In 1883, the name of the town was changed to "California" to avoid confusion with Columbia Junction; it retained this name as of 1915.
In 1879, California Junction had a population of 200 people. In 1903, the California Grain and Lumber Company was organized in California Junction. By 1915, there was also a town hall, high school, general store, blacksmith shop, post office, two churches, and a train station. A grain elevator is still operated at California Junction by the United Western Coop.
On January 1, 1922, a 1460-foot deep well was drilled at the nearby oil prospect of Hugh R. Coulthard, a prominent landowner, businessman, and farmer from California Junction. No oil was obtained from the site, but the capped well leaks water to this day. A marshy area surrounding the well remains as a local landmark, which is visible about 160 yards north of town on Fremont Ave., about 30 yards west of the roadway.
.
Harrison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,928 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,731 housing units, of which 5,987 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It lies just east of the junction between the east-west and north-south lines of the former Sioux City and Pacific Railroad. In the 2010 census it had a population of 85 inhabitants and a population density of 184.38 people per square mile (71.19/km²).
Geography
California Junction is located at coordinates 41°33′31"N 95°59′41"W. According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, California Junction has a total area of 0.461 square miles (1.19 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 85 people, 32 households, and 26 families residing in the town. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 184.38 people per square mile (71.19/km²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 73.75 per square mile (28.57/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.82% White and 1.18% from two or more races. Of the total population, 4.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
History
The town of California Junction traces its origins to the Yazoo post office and the ill-fated towns of Cincinnati and Parrish City, which were founded in Cincinnati townshipCincinnati Township, Harrison County, Iowa
Cincinnati Township is located in Harrison County, Iowa. The population is 220 with 112 males and 108 females. The land area is and the water area is 1.4 square miles....
during the later half of the 1850s. Yazoo Landing was a ferry crossing on the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
where the Blair Bridge
Blair Bridge (Union Pacific Railroad)
The Blair Bridge carries the Union Pacific Railroad's Blair Subdivision between the U.S. states of Nebraska and Iowa, across the Missouri River near Blair, Nebraska. It was built in 1883 by the Sioux City and Pacific Rail Road, replacing a car ferry. Automobile traffic crosses via the parallel...
now stands. The present settlement was established in 1880, after the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was built. John I. Blair
John Insley Blair
John Insley Blair was an American entrepreneur, railroad magnate, philanthropist and one of the 19th century's wealthiest men.-Biography:...
, the railroad tycoon, believed that this would be an important hub for passengers heading west, and gave the town its current name. In 1883, the name of the town was changed to "California" to avoid confusion with Columbia Junction; it retained this name as of 1915.
In 1879, California Junction had a population of 200 people. In 1903, the California Grain and Lumber Company was organized in California Junction. By 1915, there was also a town hall, high school, general store, blacksmith shop, post office, two churches, and a train station. A grain elevator is still operated at California Junction by the United Western Coop.
On January 1, 1922, a 1460-foot deep well was drilled at the nearby oil prospect of Hugh R. Coulthard, a prominent landowner, businessman, and farmer from California Junction. No oil was obtained from the site, but the capped well leaks water to this day. A marshy area surrounding the well remains as a local landmark, which is visible about 160 yards north of town on Fremont Ave., about 30 yards west of the roadway.
Education
The community of California Junction and the surrounding rural area educational needs are met by the Missouri Valley Community School DistrictMissouri Valley Community School District
Missouri Valley Community School District is a school district in Harrison County, Iowa. Total per pupil expenditures in the Missouri Valley Community School District totals $7,115, while the state average is $7,962.-Schools in the MVCSD:...
.