California, Missouri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

California is a city in Moniteau County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,005 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Moniteau County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Industry
4 Oldest Contiuous Running Fair
5 Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival
6 Sports
7 External links

[edit] Geography

California is located at 38°37′48″N, 92°34′6″W (38.630093, -92.568273)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km² (3.0 mi²). 7.7 km² (3.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.33% is water.

[edit] Demographics

The 2005 census estimates has the population of California at 4,137. As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,005 people, 1,632 households, and 1,068 families residing in the city. The population density was 517.2/km² (1,337.3/mi²). There were 1,766 housing units at an average density of 228.0/km² (589.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.58% White, 0.65% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 4.07% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.57% of the population.

There were 1,632 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,736, and the median income for a family was $39,221. Males had a median income of $25,880 versus $21,494 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,533. About 9.6% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Industry

California is home to several unique and prosperous industries. These include Burger's Smokehouse, which cures and processes hams, turkeys, and other speciality meats for shipment all over the world; Honeysuckle White, a division of Cargill Inc.; Tana Wire Marker, which produces the brightly colored balls affixed to electrical wires to warn aircraft of their presence; and Arkansas Valley Feather, which processes and markets feather products.

[edit] Oldest Contiuous Running Fair

This year the Moniteau County Fair celebrated its 140th anniversary. The Moniteau County Fair began in 1866 and is believed to be the oldest continuous fair west of the Mississippi. Events include a tractor pull, demolition derby, horse show, country western singers and a two-night rodeo. This is an annual event held during the first full week of August at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.

[edit] Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival

Held annually on the third Saturday in September, the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival is considered one of the fastest growing festivals in mid-Missouri. The Ozark Ham & Turkey festival is a one-day festival designed to showcase two of the major industries in California and Moniteau County. Billed as having "something for everyone", the Ozark Ham & Turkey Festival has activities throughout town.

[edit] Sports

Home of the Pintos. California may be more known around the state of Missouri for its high school sports teams, especially football.

Football The football team was the Class 3 State Champions in 1997 and finished second in the state in 1998 and 1999. California High School started football in 1959 and finished 9-1 in their first season. The football team has finished the regular season undefeated nine times (1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). The football team has claimed 15 Tri-County Conference titles (1959, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). Missouri did not start playoffs for high school football until 1968 (unfortunately after California's domininance in the sport from 1959 to 1967). However, since then, the California Pintos have advanced to the playoffs 13 times (1977, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003). The Pintos have played in the Show-Me Bowl (state championship game) three times (1997, 1998, 1999). California has been State Quarterfinalists in 1977, 1983, 1985, 1996; State Sectionalists in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2000, 2003 and brought home nine District Championships (1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003).

Boy's Basketball The California Pintos boy's basketball team has won numerous conference championships and tournament titles in their many years of basketball. In 1965, the team advanced to the Final Four with an undefeated record, but lost a heartbreaker in the Class M State Championship game to Buffalo, 65-49 and finished that year 29-1. The basketball Pintos have advanced to the state playoffs nine times (1954, 1965, 1970, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993). One of the stars of the 1965 Final Four team, Jerry Wells, was head coach of the team during the 1988-89 season, where his son, Kevin Wells, led an outstanding team to an identical 29-1 record, but the team fell in the Class 2 Quarterfinals.

Girl's Basketball The Lady Pintos have enjoyed success since California High School started girl's basketball in 1974-75 season. The girl's basketball team has been the Tri-County Conference Champions 13 times (1981-82, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06). The Lady Pintos have been a force in the Tri-County Conference since the conference sanctioned girl's basketball as a sport in the 1977-78 season. From 1981-1994, California was 63-14 in conference games, claiming eight Tri-County Conference crowns, with just one losing record. From 2000 to present, the Lady Pintos are 29-1 in Tri-County Conference games and have been the undefeated conference champions five of the last six seasons. The California Lady Pintos have won five district titles (1982-83, 1990-91, 1992-93, 2003-04, 2004-2005) advancing to the playoffs all of those years. In 2004, California advanced to the Final Four, claiming a third place finish in Class 3. The Lady Pintos were State Quarterfinalists in 1983 and 2005.

Golf Both the boy's and girl's golf teams have been extremely successful at California High School. The girl's golf team has claimed two individual state titles, with Abby Spieler winning the Class 1 Girl's individual state title in 2003 and 2005. The girl's golf team also finished 5th in Class 1 in 2005 and 9th in 2003. The boy's golf team is a regular at the state championships since the late 80's and consistenly finishes in the Top 10 in the state tournaments. Just this season, in 2006, the team finished 3rd in Class 2. The boy's have won numerous Tri-County Conference and District Titles.

Other California has won a state championship in Indoor Track and has won Tri-County Conference Titles in all sports that the conference sanctions, except baseball. The girl's softball and volleyball teams enjoyed hugh successes in the 70's. The volleyball has also enjoyed successes in the early 80's and in this decade, with a couple of state playoff appearances. The boy's and girl's track teams have both sent numerous athletes to the state championship meet.