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Chico, California

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City of Chico, California
Rancho del Arroyo Chico
Kendall Hall at California State University, Chico
Kendall Hall at California State University, Chico
Official seal of City of Chico, California
Seal
Nickname(s): 
City of Roses, City of Trees
Location of Chico in California
Location of Chico in California
Country

State

County		United States

California

Butte
Settled1843
Founded1860
Incorporated1872
Founded byJohn Bidwell
Government
 • MayorScott Greundl
 • City CouncilMaureen Kirk

Andrew Holcombe
Ann Schwab
Larry Wahl
Steve Bertagna

Dan Herbert
 • City ManagerGreg Jones
Elevation
75 m (245 ft)
Population
 (most recent annexations)
 • City79,091
 • Urban
100,675
 • Metro
212,968
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code
95926, 95928, 95973
Area code530
Websitehttp://www.chico.ca.us

Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The city is the cultural, economic, and educational center of the northern Sacramento Valley. Chico is home to California State University, Chico and Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Other major cities in the Chico Metropolitan Area include Paradise and Oroville.

History

The original inhabitants of Chico were the Mechoopda Maidu.

Chico was founded by General John Bidwell, a member of one of the first wagontrains to reach California in 1843. Bidwell first came to the area in that same year as an employee of John Sutter.

In 1844, Arroyo Chico was granted by California Governor Manuel Michetorena under Mexican law, to William Dickey in 1844.

In two separate purchases in 1849 and 1851, Bidwell acquired the 28,000 acre Rancho del Arroyo Chico. He filed a claim for the land with the US Lands Commission in 1852, and the claim was confirmed the next year. After a subsequent legal challenge, the claim was confirmed by the US District Court for the Northern District in 1855, and eventually by the US Supreme Court. The title patent was signed by President James Buchanan in 1860.

A treaty of "peace and friendship" was signed on September 18, 1853 between the Mechoopda, and other tribes of the area near Bidwell's Ranch; Indians at Reading's Ranch at Colusa; and tribes along the Consumnes and Yuba rivers. United States Indian Agent O. M. Wozencraft represented the U.S. Government at Bidwell's Ranch.

Chico was the northern terminus of the Sacramento Northern Railroad, an electrified railway which extended south to Sacramento and Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Butte Flume and Lumber Co. built a flume from Butte Meadows down Big Chico Creek in 1872, completing it in 1874. This flume would supply the Diamond Match Company with lumber for its operations.

The City of Chico was founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, and became incorporated in 1872.

Chico was the starting point of the Koncow Trail of Tears also called the Nome Cult Trail. On August 28, 1863 all Konkow Maidu were to be at the Bidwell Ranch to be taken to the Round Valley Reservation at Covelo in Mendocino County. Any Indians remaining in the area were to be shot. 435 Maidu were rounded up and marched under guard west out of the Sacramento Valley and through to the Coastal Range. 461 Indians started the trek, 277 finished. They reached Round Valley on September 18, 1863.

In 1887, the California legislature established the Northern Branch of the State Normal School of California. Chico was chosen as its site, and Bidwell donated land from his cherry orchard for this purpose. This school would come to be called the Chico Normal School, Chico State College, and finally California State University, Chico.

On July 10, 1905. Annie Bidwell signed a grant deed donating 1,902.88 acres to the people of Chico for a public park. These initial acres were expanded upon several times over the years, resulting in the creation of one of the largest municipal parks in the nation.

Geography

Topography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 71.9 km² (27.8 mi²). 71.8 km² (27.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.04% is water.

The city is bisected by Bidwell Park, which runs five miles from the city center to the eastern foothills.

The city is also bisected by two creeks and a flood channel which feeds the Sacramento River. They are named Big Chico Creek, Little Chico Creek, and Lindo Channel.


Location

Chico is located at 39°44′24″N 121°50′8″W / 39.74000°N 121.83556°W / 39.74000; -121.83556Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (39.739983, -121.835460)Template:GR.

Chico is located at the north-east edge of the Sacramento Valley, one of the richest agricultural areas in the world. The Sierra Nevada Mountains lie to the East, with Chico's city limits venturing several miles into the foothills.

To the west, the Sacramento River sits 5 miles from the city limits.

Street system

The downtown area of Chico is located generally in between the Big Chico Creek and the Little Chico Creek. The downtown has a street grid oriented approximately 45° from the four cardinal directions. There are numbered streets and avenues which generally run ENE-WSW. Blocks are usually addressed in hundreds corresponding to the numbered streets and avenues. The main thouroughfare running NW-SE through the city is The Esplanade (locally pronounced ES-plan-ayde). The Esplanade is the divider where all street names change from "West" to "East." While the ENE-WSW streets and avenues are numbered, Streets running NNW-SSE are generally named after trees. The part of the 'tree' streets that intersect the CSUC campus spell the word "CHICO" at Chestnut, Hazel, Ivy. Cherry, and Orange streets.

Neighborhoods

  • Downtown
  • South Campus
  • Barber
  • Chapmantown
  • Vecino
  • Doe Mill
  • Nob Hill
  • California Park
  • The Avenues
  • South Park

Climate

Chico and the Sacramento Valley have a typically Mediterranean climate. Temperatures often rise past the 100-degree mark in the summer. Winters are fairly mild, with the most rainfall coming in January. The average annual rainfall is 26.04 inches. [1]

See also, Tule fog

Climate data for Chico, California
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: Weatherbase [2]

Demographics

As of the most recent annexations, the city has a total population of 79,091. Chico is the 19th largest Metropolitan Statistical area in California and the 194th largest in the United States with a metro population of 212,968.

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 59,954 people, 23,476 households, and 11,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 834.5/km² (2,161.0/mi²). There were 24,386 housing units at an average density of 339.4/km² (879.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.36% White, 2.03% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 4.21% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 5.65% from other races, and 4.25% from two or more races. 12.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 23,476 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.4% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 27.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,359, and the median income for a family was $43,077. Males had a median income of $35,548 versus $26,173 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,970. About 12.7% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

Special Population Note: Although the Census Bureau states the 2000 population as 59,954, a large portion of the city population is unaccounted for due to local and county zoning irregularities. Additionally, the local growth rate in Chico (and the surrounding area) in recent years has been close to 2.5%, increasing the population steadily. As of January 2006, the city government estimates the population of the city to be 73,558 and the population of the adjacent urbanized unincorporated area to be 28,562.

Owing to the influence of California State University, Chico and Butte College the population of Chico is highly transient.

Economy

Much of the local economy is driven by the presence of Chico State University. California State University, Chico is the largest employer. The medical industry as a whole is the next largest employer.

Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (30.3%), Retail trade (14.9%), Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (12.6%). [3]

Top 10 Non-Manufacturing Employers [4] (by Employee Size)*

  1. Enloe Medical Center (2268 employees)
  2. County of Butte (2032)
  3. California State University, Chico (1823 employees)
  4. Chico Unified School District (1400 employees)
  5. TriCounties Bank (700)
  6. Butte-Glenn Community College District (602 employees)
  7. Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. (500)
  8. Feather Falls Casino (400)
  9. City of Chico (374)
  10. Employment Development Department (350)

Top 10 Manufacturing Employers [5] (by Employee Size)*

  1. Sierra Nevada Brewery (325)
  2. Koret of California (250 employees)
  3. Sungard BiTech Software (200)
  4. Aero Union Corporation (185 employees)
  5. Sunset Moulding Company (145 employees)
  6. Smucker Quality Beverages, Inc. (130 employees)
  7. Lundberg Family Farms (110)
  8. Norfield Industries (110 employees)
  9. JG Brattan (100)
  10. Wrex Products, Inc. of Chico (93 employees)

Government

The City of Chico is a charter city. The City of Chico's administration offices are located at 411 Main Street immediately adjacent to the City Council Chambers. Chico's city council consists of seven councilmembers each elected at-large. Each member serves 4 years. The mayor is chosen by and from among the councilmembers and serves for two years. City council meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

The citizens of Chico are represented in the Butte County Board of Supervisors by the District Two Supervisor Jane Dolan and the District Three Supervisor Mary Anne Houx.

The citizens of Chico are represented by Rick Keene in the California State Assembly and by Sam Aanestad in the California State Senate.

The citizens of Chico, as members of California's 2nd congressional district, are represented by Wally Herger in the United States House of Representatives.

Education

Secondary Education

Public

Private

Higher Education

Museums

Libraries

Culture

Traditions

  • Swimming at Sycamore Pool on New Years Day
  • Lighting of the City Christmas Tree
  • Pioneer Day --First Saturday in May
  • Rancho Chico Day
  • Slice of Chico
  • Taste of Chico
  • Farmers Market -- Every Thursday in the summer months
  • Halloween
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Tubing down the Sacramento River on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
  • Scour and Devour
  • Concerts in the Park
  • The Almond Bowl, annual footbal game between Chico High School and cross-town rival Pleaseant Valley High School

Art

In 2004, Chico was ranked as the #10 art town in America by author John Villani.

Public Art

City of Chico Public Art Portfolio

Sculpture

  • "Soaring Star" -- Chico Municipal Airport
  • "Our Hands" -- Fourth and Wall streets
  • "The Silver Plow" -- Median at Park Avenue & Meyers Street
  • "Dancing Trout" Fountain -- City of Chico Council Chamber on Main Street
  • "Skaters Gate" -- Humboldt Avenue
  • "The Century of Flight" -- Chico Municipal Airport
  • "Let's Rock" -- Chico Municipal Center
  • "Performance Machine, O's No. 2" -- Chico Municipal Center
  • "Ancestor Gates" -- Community Park (Martin Luther King Park)


Murals

  • "Downtown Kaleidoscope" - Ringel Park
  • "Compound History-Compound Images" -- Municipal Center Building, 411 Main Street
  • "Salem Street Art Walls" -- Salem Street, between 3rd & 4th Streets
  • "Town Hall 1872" -- Visible from Chico City Council Chambers steps.
  • "Chico Foothills" -- Stained glass mural on Chico Municipal Center
  • "Annie and John Bidwell" -- 100 Block of West Second Street
  • "Beatles" -- 100 Block of Main Street
  • "Racing Bicyclist 1" Ninth and Main Streets
  • "Racing Bicyclist 2" Fourth and Main Streets
  • "Greek Columns" -- First and Salem Streets
  • "Gianella Bridge" -- Fifth and Mangrove
  • "Painter" -- East First Street parking lot
  • "Victorian Language Houses" -- Sixth and Main Street
  • "Tubing" -- Fifth and Ivy Streets
  • "Trees" -- 200 Block of West Second Street
  • "Man and Dog" -- Fourth and Main Streets
  • "Mountain Climber" -- 100 Block of Main Street
  • "Pony Express" -- Fifth and Broadway (Post Office wall)

Galleries

  • 24hr Drive By Gallery -- 117 West 7th Street [3]
  • University Art Gallery -- Taylor Hall, CSUC
  • Janet Turner Print Museum -- Laxson Auditorium, CSUC
  • Humanities Center Gallery -- Trinity 100, CSUC
  • Bell Memorial Union Art Gallery -- 3rd Floor BMU, CSUC
  • BFA Gallery -- Ayres Hall, CSUC
  • Chico Art Center -- 450 Orange Street
  • Moxie's -- 128 Broadway
  • Upper Crust Bakery and Gallery -- 130 Main Street
  • 1078 Gallery -- 820 Broadway

Music

Theatre

Points of interest

File:100 0395.JPG
Chico, CA is home to Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.

Chico is the site of Bidwell Park, the seventh-largest municipal park in the United States, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, the Chico University Arboretum.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the second-largest craft brewer in the country, is based in Chico. Butte Creek Brewing Company, maker of hand-crafted organic ales, is also located in Chico.

Chico is home to several large new urbanist neighborhoods, either planned or under construction, including Doe Mill Neighborhood, Barber Yard, Meriam Park, and Westside Place.

Chico has the tallest building north of Sacramento in California: Whitney Hall, a nine-story dormitory on the Chico State college campus.

The Meriam Library on the CSUC campus is named after Ted Meriam. The building has more floor area than any other building in California north of Sacramento.

The State of California, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development defines Enloe Medical Center as a General Acute Care Hospital in Chico with a Level II Trauma Center and Basic emergency care as of 08/22/2006. The facility is located on The Esplanade at (NAD83) latitude/longitude 39°44′33″N 121°51′00″W / 39.74250°N 121.85000°W / 39.74250; -121.85000.

The Hooker Oak formerly the largest Valley Oak in the world was located at Hooker Oak Park in Chico.

Located in urban Chico, the Mechoopda Maidu Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria is at latitude and longitude 39°43′55″N 121°51′10″W / 39.73194°N 121.85278°W / 39.73194; -121.85278.

Bidwell Municipal Golf Course, United States Department of Agriculture Plant Introduction Garden, Canyon Oaks Golf Course, Diamond Match Factory, Chico Museum, Chico Municipal Center, Chapman Neighborhood Center, Veterans Memorial Building, Craig Hall, Stansbury House, Madison Bear Garden.

Sports

Notable Chicoans

Agriculture

Chico is bordered on the west by thousands of acres of almond trees. Almonds are a major crop in the area. The trees bloom with a pink/white flower in late February or early March. Millions of bees are brought in for the pollination. The nuts are harvested in late August.

Walnuts are also a major agricultural production in the area north and west of town. Unlike the almond crops of the area, walnuts do not have the same appeal as they do not bloom but they grow much larger and live much longer than almonds, but similar to the almond crops, walnuts are harvested in early September.

Transportation

Airports

Chico Municipal Airport is the major airport facility serving this area and is north of the city limits. CMA is served by United Airlines' United Express operated by SkyWest (San Francisco) The airport is also home to Aero Union, a company that refits surplus military aircraft as firefighting aircraft.

Ranchaero Airport, a general aviation field with an FAA identifier of O23, is surrounded by orchards on the west edge of town at 39°43′14″N 121°43′14″W / 39.72056°N 121.72056°W / 39.72056; -121.72056.

Surface Transportation

Amtrak operates a passenger terminal at Fifth and Orange Streets for the Coast Starlight service. The terminal is partially wheelchair accessible, has an enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term and long-term parking. Trains run between Portland and Oakland with a northbound, and a southbound train departing from the station daily. The Greyhound bus station is also located at Fifth and Orange Streets.

The B-Line (Butte Regional Transit) serves the Chico Urban area with eight routes operating Monday through Satuday and two shuttle routes for CSU, Chico students during the academic year. The Chico Clipper serves the Chico urban area with nine modified vans providing transportation for the elderly and the mobility impaired seven days a week. The transit center in Chico is located at Second and Salem Streets.

There are at least nine Taxi companies in Chico: American Taxi, Yellow Cab of Chico, Liberty Cab, AAA Taxi, Chico Independent Taxi, Checkers Cab, AbraCabdabra, Cabs for Kids, and Taxi Dave.

Chico is a bronze level Bicycle-friendly community as designated by the League of American Bicyclists. Chico was also named "America's Best Bike Town" by Bicycle magazine in 1997.

Pedicabs are commonly available downtown during the evenings.

Major Highways

California State Route 99 and California State Route 32 intersect in Chico.

Media

Print

Television

Radio

Sister Cities

United States - Pascagoula, Mississippi (USA) [9]

References

  1. ^ http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=oid%3A32555
  2. ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Chico, California, United States of America". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ http://www.city-data.com/city/Chico-California.html
  4. ^ http://www.chicochamber.com/filebin/2005_EC_profile_final.pdf Chico's 2005-6 Economic Profile
  5. ^ http://www.chicochamber.com/filebin/2005_EC_profile_final.pdf Chico's 2005-6 Economic Profile
  6. ^ http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=oid%3A33357
  7. ^ http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=oid%3A33357
  8. ^ http://www.orovillemr.com/news/chico/ci_4660954 Astronomer to speak at Community Center
  9. ^ http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=oid%3A43367 Chico gets a Southern sister


Trivia

  • An altitude record for unmanned gas balloons was set in Chico in October 1972 (51.8km). The record was broken in Japan on May 23, 2002.
  • Home of the world's largest yo-yo.
  • Former home to a Titan I Missle Base.
  • Chico was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine's "Best Places in America" (May 2000).
  • Chico was ranked 13th in Money.Com's "Best Places to Live" survey in 1999.
  • Rated No. 16 on Healthy Cities list, by Organic Style magazine, September/October 2003.


See Also

Template:Mapit-US-cityscale



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