Cañon City, Colorado
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Cañon City | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Fremont |
| Settled | 1860 |
| Area | |
| - City | 12.0 sq mi (31.2 km²) |
| - Land | 12.0 sq mi (31.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 5,332 ft (1,625 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - City | 15,431 |
| - Density | 1,284.1/sq mi (495.7/km²) |
| Time zone | MST (UTC-7) |
| - Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 81212 |
| Area code(s) | 719 |
| Website: http://www.canoncitycolorado.com | |
Cañon City is a city in Fremont County, Colorado, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 16,000.[1] Cañon City is most famous for having 9 state and 4 federal prisons. It straddles the Arkansas River, and is a popular tourist destination for Whitewater rafting.
In 1994, the Board on Geographic Names approved adding the tilde in the official name of Cañon City, a change from Canon City as the official name in decisions of 1906 and 1975.[2]
Emory S. Land, U.S. Navy vice admiral and decorated hero, was born in Cañon City.
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[edit] History
Cañon City was founded in 1859 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush as a commercial center for miners.
In 1862, A. M. Cassaday drilled for petroleum six miles north of town, near an oil seep. He struck oil at a depth of 50 feet, and completed the first commercial oil well west of the Mississippi. He drilled five or six more wells nearby, and refined kerosene and fuel oil from the petroleum, and sold the products in Denver.[3]
A number of ore smelters were built in Cañon City following the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek in 1891.
[edit] Geography
Cañon City is located at (38.446800, -105.228305)GR1 at an altitude of 5,332 ft (1,625 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.2 km² (12.0 mi²). 31.1 km² (12.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.08% is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 15,431 people, 6,164 households, and 3,803 families residing in the city. The population density was 495.7/km² (1,284.1/mi²). There were 6,617 housing units at an average density of 212.5/km² (550.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.15% White, 1.59% African American, 1.04% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.33% of the population.
There were 6,164 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,736, and the median income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $31,258 versus $21,849 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,970. About 7.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Places of interest
- Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad
- Colorado State Penitentiary
- Royal Gorge Bridge
- Buckskin Joe
- The Owl, local eatery converted from turn-of-the-century cigar shop
[edit] References
- ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Colorado (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21, 2006). Retrieved on November 17, 2006.
- ^ USGS Geographic Names Information System[1]
- ^ Francis M. Van Tuyl and Arthur E. Brainerd (1960) Historical summary, in Mineral Resources of Colorado First Sequel, Denver: Colorado Mineral Resources Board, p.491-492.
I have to poop
[edit] External links
- Canon City & Royal Gorge Visitor Information
- Canon City Daily Record
- Cañon City's Prisons
- Canon City School District
- Canon City Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Canon City
- canoncitycolorado.com
- DiscoverCanonCity.com
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
[edit] Area Attractions
- Rafting in Colroado
- Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad
- Buckskin Joe Frontier Town and Railway
- Royal Gorge Route
- Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
