CRESCENT CITY, CALIFORNIA

'Crescent City' is the only incorporated city of Del Norte County, California and serves as the county seat. It is named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 4,006, not including the 3,300 prisoners at Pelican Bay State Prison.

Contents

History

Natural disasters

Geography and climate

Demographics

Transportation

Attractions and facilities

Crescent City proper

Nearby

Famous people from Crescent City

External links

Notes

History

'European Arrival'
Populations of Native Americans are known to have lived in the area for hundreds of years. The first European expedition is thought to have been that led by Jedidiah Smith, in 1828.
Crescent City was incorporated in 1854, and became the county seat of Del Norte County when the county was formed in 1857. Most of the original inhabitants were workers in the nearby mines. As the mining industry waned, it was replaced by logging and fishing industries during the early 20th century. These industries have also experienced recent decline.
In the 1990s, Pelican Bay State Prison was built and was then joined with the city.

Natural disasters

Although it is composed many unique features, Crescent City is notable for its susceptibility to tsunamis. According to Humboldt State University,^[1] the city experienced tsunami conditions 17 times between the years 1943 and 1994. Although most of these effects were barely perceptible, the city was extensively damaged by a tsunami event in 1964, which originated from the Good Friday Earthquake in Alaska. There were 12 fatalities and approximately $15 million in damages in what was the only fatal tsunami ever recorded in the lower 48 states.
The city is deemed to be tsunami-ready today. Its preparedness was tested on June 14, 2005 when an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale hit 90 miles offshore. Reportedly, much of the city was evacuated in a matter of 20 minutes when a tsunami warning was issued, but no waves were reported.
On November 15, 2006, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck off the Kuril Islands in the western Pacific. A tsunami warning was issued but rescinded hours later. However, a surge from that quake did hit the harbor at Crescent City causing damage to three docks and several boats. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a county state of emergency. Upon that declaration, the area affected was eligible for federal emergency relief funding to repair the damage.^[2]

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 km² (2.1 mi²). 4.6 km² (1.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 13.59% water.
The mouth of Elk Creek, where it flows into the Pacific Ocean, is in Crescent City.

Demographics

As of the 2003 Population Estimate from the Census Bureau, there are 7,319 people residing in the city. Census data from the year 2000 indicate that the population density is 868.9/km² (2,252.2/mi²). There are 1,754 housing units at an average density of 380.5/km² (986.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 78.33% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 6.09% Native American, 4.62% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.27% from other races, and 6.04% from two or more races. 11.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,578 households out of which 35.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% are married couples living together, 20.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% are non-families. 35.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $20,133, and the median income for a family is $22,058. Males have a median income of $36,667 versus $19,922 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,833. 34.6% of the population and 33.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 46.6% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Transportation

Highway access is provided by U.S. Route 101 that runs directly through the city, extending to Brookings, OR to the north and Eureka to the south. U.S. Highway 199 begins just north of Crescent City and connects northeast to Grants Pass, OR.
SkyWest conducts passenger flights to and from Jack McNamara Field Airport. The majority of flights connect to San Francisco International Airport through Arcata-Eureka Airport and vice-versa, although connections are also available to Sacramento and Portland, Oregon.
Local public transit is provided by Redwood Coast Transit, which provides access to Amtrak passenger train (via Amtrak bus) service and Greyhound bus service.
The Crescent City Harbor serves as a commercial fishing boat basin for Salmon, Shrimp, Tuna, Cod, and Dungeness Crab commercial fishing vessels. The Harbor is also home to multiple fishing and non-fishing related businesses and harbor governmental offices. The Crescent City Harbor also has several pleasure boat docks.

Attractions and facilities

Crescent City proper

★ Battery Point Lighthouse

★ Del Norte County Historical Society Main Museum

★ Ocean World

★ Wreckage of the SS Emidio, the first American vessel sunk by the Japanese along California's coast during World War II

Nearby

★ Del Norte Golf Course

★ Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

★ Pelican Bay State Prison

★ Redwood National and State Parks

★ St. George Reef Lighthouse

Famous people from Crescent City

★ Buck Pierce, professional football player for BC Lions (Canadian Football League)

★ Derrick Jensen, environmentalist activist and author.

External links

★ Local Information

★ Official Crescent City website

★ KHSR-FM 91.9 Crescent City-Brookings - Diverse Public Radio

★ The Daily Triplicate newspaper.

Notes

1. Humboldt State page on tsunami events near Crescent City
2. Los Angeles Times article on the quake and tsunami