Walnut Creek, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Walnut Creek, California | |
| Nickname: The Creek | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Contra Costa |
| First settled | 1849[1] |
| Incorporated | October 21, 1914[1] |
| Government | |
| - Type | General Law[2] |
| - Mayor | Gwen Regalia[3] |
| - Mayor pro tem | Gary Skrel[3] |
| - Councilmembers | Charlie Abrams[3] Susan Rainey[3] Cindy Silva[3] |
| - State Leg. | Sen. Tom Torlakson (D) Asm. Guy Houston (R) |
| - U. S. Congress | Ellen Tauscher (D) |
| Area | |
| - Total | 19.5 sq mi (50.5 km²) |
| - Land | 19.5 sq mi (50.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 131 ft (40 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 64,296 |
| - Density | 3,305.7/sq mi (1,276.2/km²) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP codes | 94595–94598 |
| Area code(s) | 925 |
| FIPS code | 06-83346 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1660120 |
| Website: www.walnut-creek.org | |
Walnut Creek is a suburban community located several miles east of the city of Oakland in Contra Costa County, California, United States. It lies in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. While not as large as neighboring Concord, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa County, due in part to its location at the junction of the highways from Sacramento and San Jose (I-680) and San Francisco/Oakland (SR-24). As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 64,296.
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[edit] History
There are three bands of Bay Miwok Indians associated with early Walnut Creek: [4] [5] the Saclan, whose territory extended through the hills east of present day Oakland, Rossmoor, Lafayette, Moraga, and Walnut Creek; the Volvon (also spelled Bolban,Wolwon, and Zuicun) at Mt. Diablo; and the Tactan at Danville and Walnut Creek, on San Ramon Creek.
What is now Walnut Creek was later the site of four Mexican land grants. One of those land grants - measuring 18,000 acres - went to Doña Juana Sanchez de Pacheco, who deeded it to her two grandsons. Ygnacio Sibrian, one of the grandsons, created the first roofed home in the valley in about 1850.
In those early days, Walnut Creek was known as "The Corners," after the place leading from Pacheco and Lafayette, California met. This Corner is now known as the Mt. Diablo Boulevard and North Main Street intersection. The first town settler was William Slusher, who built a dwelling on the bank of Walnut Creek, which was then known as “Nuts Creek” in 1849. In the year 1855, Milo Hough of Lafayette built the hotel named “Walnut Creek House” in the corners. A blacksmith shop and a store soon joined the hotel, and a year later, Hiram Penniman (who built Shadelands Ranch) laid out the town site and realigned the Main Street of today. Two decades later, the community changed its name from The Corners to Walnut Creek.
In December 1862 a U.S. Post Office was established, and the community was named “Walnut Creek.” The downtown street patterns laid out by pioneer Homer Shuey on a portion of one of his family’s large cattle ranches in 1871-1872 are still present today.
Walnut Creek began to grow with the arrival of Southern Pacific Railroad service in 1891. On October 21, 1914, the town and the surrounding area of 500 acres (2 km²), were incorporated as the 8th city in Contra Costa County, California.
A branch line of the Southern Pacific railroad ran through Walnut Creek until the early 1960s. The mainline of the Sacramento Northern Railway also passed through Walnut Creek. Both railroads had stations here. Today, the Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFO Line line of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) serves Walnut Creek with a station adjacent to Highway 680.
With the opening of the Broadway Shopping Center, Contra Costa County's first major retail center, in 1951, the city took off in a new direction, and its population more than tripled from 2,460 in 1950 to 9,903 in 1960.
Today, Walnut Creek has been routed underneath downtown through a series of tunnels starting at the southwest end of Macy’s and ending just southwest of Maria Maria La Cantina Restaurant and bar. Slusher’s dwelling was built in the area of modern-day Liberty Bell Plaza.
Politically, Walnut Creek used to be a Republican stronghold, but is increasingly leaning Democratic[citation needed].
Walnut Creek has undergone major development in its downtown area, which growing cities throughout the nation have looked to as a model[citation needed]. The city government has successfully attracted upscale retailers while maintaining a degree of economic diversity.
[edit] Geography and climate
Walnut Creek is located at (37.909956, -122.047373)[6]. Portions lie in both the San Ramon Valley and the Ygnacio Valley below the western slopes of Mount Diablo.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 51.6 km² (19.9 mi²). 51.6 km² (19.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.
The area is characterized by a mediterranean climate with cool, moist winters and warm to hot dry summers. Average annual rainfall approximates 20 inches, with slight variations occurring in microclimates based on elevation and topography. Winter daytime temperatures average in the mid 50s with little daily variation, while summer daytime temperatures average in the high 80s. 100 degree weather occurs numerous times during summer heatwaves, while occasional light frosts may occur during clear, calm winter nights. The climate allows for the successful cultivation of many plants and crops, being warm enough for citrus yet cold enough for apples. The Ruth Bancroft Garden is a renowned botanical garden that showcases the diversity of plants that can be successfully grown.
[edit] Open space
Walnut Creek owns more open space per capita than any other community in the state of California. In 1974, Walnut Creek voters approved a $6.7 million bond measure that allowed the city to purchase 1,800 acres (7 km²) of undeveloped hillsides, ridge lines, and park sites. Walnut Creek owns parts of Lime Ridge Open Space, Shell Ridge Open Space, Acalanes Ridge Open Space, and Sugarloaf Openspace. There is also open space in the retirement community, Rossmoor.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 64,296 people, 30,301 households, and 16,544 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.9/km² (3,229.6/mi²). There were 31,425 housing units at an average density of 609.4/km² (1,578.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.89% White, 1.07% African American, 0.33% Native American, 9.36% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 3.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.99% of the population. 11.8% were of English, 11.4% German, 10.2% Irish and 6.9% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 81.8% spoke English, 4.4% Spanish, 2.7% Chinese or Mandarin, 1.5% Tagalog, 1.3% Persian and 1.3% Russian as their first language.
There were 30,301 households out of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,238, and the median income for a family was $83,794. Males had a median income of $66,482 versus $45,220 for females. The per capita income for the city was $39,875. About 1.7% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Culture
California Symphony
The California Symphony (notable for its commitment to the performance of music by American composers) has been based in Walnut Creek since its inception in 1986.
Civic Arts Program
The city organizes education in graphic arts, sculpture, pottery, and performance arts such as dancing for various age groups is actively supported and encouraged by the Civic Arts Program.
Clay Arts Guild
Clay Arts Guild (CAG) is a non-profit volunteer organization supporting ceramics arts education under the Civic Arts Program of Walnut Creek, California. The organization is notable for its long history in the region (established in 1964) and the numerous sculptors and potters who have practiced, taught classes, and/or given masters seminars through its offices.
Activities supported by CAG include:
- Open studio monitoring for students enrolled in Civic Arts Classes
- Purchase of equipment for studio use
- Fundraising via direct sales of donated crafted goods and commission on sales of artist's goods
- Direct support of students through merit scholarships to Civic Arts Program classes
- Organization of master level seminars presented by innovative and famous artisans.
- All work produced using Civic Arts equipment can only be sold through CAG sales.
Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts
Several performance spaces (The Knight, Hoffman, and Lesher theatres) and the Bedford Gallery are included in this modern building.
[edit] Public transit
A free shuttle operates between the central district and the Walnut Creek BART station. BART provides regional access in and out of Walnut Creek to most of the Bay Area. Other areas of Walnut Creek may be accessed at modest cost by using the buses of the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority.
[edit] Points of interest
- Castle Rock Park
- Gardens at Heather Farm
- Mount Diablo
- Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts [1]
- Ruth Bancroft Garden
- Shadelands Ranch Museum [2]
- Borges Ranch [3]
- Broadway Plaza
- Diablo Valley Lines (Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society) [4]
- Lindsay Wildlife Museum
[edit] Notable citizens
- Matt Anger, former tennis player
- Corey Duffel, professional skateboarder, was born in Walnut Creek, and still lives there.
- Kyle Gass, guitar player in Jack Black's band Tenacious D, grew up in Walnut Creek and attended Las Lomas High School.
- Alice Greczyn, actress, was born in Walnut Creek.
- Dan Haren, professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks currently lives in Walnut Creek.[8]
- Bessilyn Johnson, daughter of Hiram Penniman and resident of Scotty's Castle.
- Randy Johnson, professional baseball player, was born in Walnut Creek.
- John A. Nejedly (1914-2006), former state senator, lived in Walnut Creek for most of his life.
- Jason Newsted, former bassist for the heavy metal bands: Voivod, Metallica and Flotsam & Jetsam, currently lives in Walnut Creek.
- Markie Post, actress, grew up in Walnut Creek.
- Jeff Richards, writer and featured performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live, 2001 - 2004.
- Lester Rodney, journalist who played a role in breaking down baseball’s color barrier.
- Katharine Ross, actress, graduated from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek (1957).
- Justin Speier, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher was born in Walnut Creek.
- Christy Turlington, model, was born in Walnut Creek.
- Emily Wu, Chinese-American author.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b About Walnut Creek — History, walnut-creek.org, retrieved on 2007-10-08
- ^ Rovanpera, Brad (2006). State of the City, 2005–2006. Walnut Creek, CA: City of Walnut Creek.
- ^ a b c d e Council Members, walnut-creek.org, retrieved on 2008-03-10
- ^ Forester, 2006.
- ^ Milliken, 1995
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Suchon, Josh. "Haren's home is in the East Bay", Oakland Tribune, 2006-07-21. Retrieved on 2007-03-08.
[edit] References
- The Miwok - Mount Diablo's Earliest Inhabitants , Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) website
[edit] External links
- Walnut Creek, California is at coordinates Coordinates:
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Contra Costa County, California |
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|---|---|---|
| County seat: Martinez | ||
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