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53-520: In the spring of 1887, after 10 years of varied success, William Dugay Cruikshank discovered lode gold at the head of Alder Creek. He opened the Last Chance Mine, later known as the Buclimo Mine. The Last Chance mine produced about $ 62,000 (or about $ 1,100,000 today) in gold ore. The mines were not very productive, and most mining activity ceased by about 1895. Renewed attempts at exploiting the ore in

106-589: A large portion of unincorporated Soledad is also served by Mission Union School District . Soledad High School is the primary high school in the area, there is also a continuation school known as Pinnacles High School. Soledad Main Street Middle School is the only middle school in the city and there are five different elementary schools in the area: Rose Ferrero Elementary School, Jack Franscioni Elementary School, Gabilan Elementary School, Frank Ledesma Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School. Soledad

159-478: A plant in Soledad. Opened in 1994, it is touted as being the "world's largest pre-cut salad plant." As of 2007, Soledad features a weekly certified Farmers' Market on Soledad St. Soledad is located in one of the primary wine grape-growing regions of California with over twenty vineyards and wineries within a thirty-mile radius, several of which have tasting rooms and offer a wide selection of wines for sale. Some of

212-547: A resting point and overnight camp site for those traveling to and from the coast. Wagons were stored at Wagon Caves for the purpose of hauling items to market and provisions back from Soledad. Travelers switched from horseback to and from Manchester. There were two trails from Wagon Caves to the coast: the Plaskett/Mansfield Trail to the north, and the Los Burros Trail to the south. Over the Los Burros Trail, it

265-468: A town there when the right time came. Catalina Munrás began to subdivide the rancho and develop a town in the 1860s, and donated land for the construction of a school, a church, and a cemetery. She later granted the right-of-way to the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1872, which established a station in Soledad, allowing the town to emerge as an agricultural center. Los Coches Adobe , built in

318-605: A trail in March 1944 on what had become the Hunter-Liggett Army Reservation. The Cruikshank Trail, Lower Cruikshank Camp, and Upper Cruikshank Camp in the Silver Peak Wilderness are named for him. A historical marker was established by E Clampus Vitus on Will Creek Road at the former location of Manchester. Capitol of Monterey County’s Los Burros Mining District. In the spring of 1887 the Last Chance Mine

371-498: A visitor reported "9 or 10 frame houses at Mansfield, among them two boarding houses and four saloons." The town had three stamp mills , four stores, five saloons, a dance hall, restaurant, hotel, a barber shop, post office, blacksmith, a small one-room school , mess halls, bunkhouses, a few cabins, a cemetery, and a dance hall. The school was established in July 1890, when Susie R. Bird was hired as its first teacher. About 350 people lived in

424-470: Is 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Gonzales and 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Greenfield , both via U.S. Route 101 . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 4.65 square miles (12.0 km ), of which 4.46 square miles (11.6 km ) are land and 0.19 square miles (0.49 km ), or 4.09%, are water. The Salinas River flows to the northwest past

477-582: Is a city in Monterey County, California , United States. It is in the Salinas Valley , 21 miles (34 km) southeast of Salinas , the county seat . Soledad's population was 24,925 at the 2020 census , down from 25,738 in 2010 . Soledad's origins started with Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad , founded by the Spanish in 1791, under the leadership of Fermín de Lasuén . Catalina Munrás began developing

530-485: Is bordered to the west by Manchester State Park . The region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Manchester has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate , abbreviated Csb on climate maps. At the 2010 census Manchester had a population of 195. The population density

583-460: Is considered "Prime Farmland", meaning that the soils around and near the city have some of the best physical and chemical characteristics for farming. Due to this fact great efforts in conserving farmland are a very high priority for the city. Prime farmland is the backbone of the Soledad economy. Future planning will consider the effect of urban sprawl amongst the farmlands. The climate also allows for year-round crops. Dole Food Company maintains

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636-481: Is located on U.S. Route 101 and is accessible via northbound and southbound exit ramps on Front Street, at the north and south ends of town. It is the western terminus of California State Route 146 , which connects the city to nearby Pinnacles National Park . Soledad is serviced by the Monterey-Salinas Transit line 23 (Salinas – King City). As of September 5, 2009, the bus stops in Soledad are located at

689-472: Is seated at the heart of one of the most economically productive and technologically advanced agricultural regions in the world; hence, the Salinas Valley name, "Salad Bowl of the World." Agricultural companies working out of this region include Dole Fresh Vegetables , Tanimura & Antle Fresh Foods, Taylor Farms , D'Arrigo Brothers Inc., Mann Packing Inc., Merrill Farms and Braga Farms. Soledad's farmland

742-621: Is today part of the community of Soledad. In the early 1900s, the Paraíso Hot Springs became a popular resort for travelers on Southern Pacific trains. Soledad is used as a backdrop in John Steinbeck 's 1937 novel Of Mice and Men , a novella about the friendship of two men who find work on a farm in the Salinas Valley . Soledad is located in central Monterey County at 36°25′29″N 121°19′35″W  /  36.42472°N 121.32639°W  / 36.42472; -121.32639 . It

795-602: The Monterey County Herald , Salinas Californian and Soledad Bee . In a 2013 Safe Cities report, Soledad was rated California's eleventh-safest city. Soledad was highly regarded for its sense of community and high amount of volunteerism. The 50 Safest Cities in California Soledad was also rated the ninety-fourth-safest city out of one hundred cities nationwide in a 2014 Neighborhood Scout Report. Soledad Unified School District serves most of Soledad, but

848-546: The census of 2000, there were 11,263 people, 2,472 households, and 2,242 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,680.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,034.8/km ). There were 2,534 housing units at an average density of 603.0 units per square mile (232.8 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 31.90% White , 1.15% African American , 1.73% Native American , 2.35% Asian , 0.08% Pacific Islander , 58.56% from other races , and 4.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 86.82% of

901-468: The 1840s, became a popular stopover for people traveling on Southern Pacific trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Soledad post office opened in 1869. The Township of Soledad was created on February 6, 1876, by the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County, upgrading the settlement to an official town. In 1921, Soledad incorporated as a city. In 1898 Fort Romie was founded just west of Soledad, but

954-556: The Chalon. Soledad's history as a settlement began in 1791, when the Spanish founded Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad , under the leadership of Padre Fermín de Lasuén . Alongside the Spanish and the Chalon, the Esselen and Yokuts people eventually came to reside in Soledad as well. However, unlike many other missions in California , Soledad did not initially develop into a town outside of

1007-661: The Last Chance Mine. Since there was no road into the area, the crushed gold ore was sacked and transported on donkeys (hence, los burros ) over the Santa Lucia Mountains to the Nacimiento River . From there they were hauled on sleds by mules over about 4 miles (6.4 km) over steep, uphill terrain to the mines. There was a dog-hole landing south of San Martin Rock near the Plaskett Ranch where mining equipment like

1060-696: The Mouth of the San Kapoko [San Carpoforo Creek] following the Pacific Ocean Northerly to Premits [Prewitts] Trail. Thence following said trail to McKerns. Thence following the Nassimienta [Naciemiento River] to the mouth of the Los Burros Creek. Thence to the place of beginning. Before the arrival of Cruickshank and other Western miners, Chinese miners produced a small quantity of gold from the gravel bed of

1113-612: The San Antonio River near Jolon, and small amounts of placer gold from the coastal ravines of the Santa Lucia Range. The most valuable gold discovery was made by William Dugay Cruikshank, on March 24, 1887, who called his find the Last Chance mine. The Last Chance mine eventually was 450 feet (140 m) long and dug to a depth of 150 feet (46 m). Cruickshank found five veins which milled at an average of $ 200 per ton. During

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1166-405: The average family size was 4.58. In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.7% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 13.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males. The median income for a household in the city

1219-531: The correctional facility, Front & San Vicente and Monterey & East. Manchester, California Manchester is a census-designated place in Mendocino County , California , United States. It is located 5 miles (8 km) north of Point Arena at an elevation of 85 feet (26 m). The population was 159 at the 2020 census , down from 195 in 2010. The Manchester post office opened in 1871, closed in 1876, and reopened in 1877. The place

1272-468: The district. As of 2023, there were eight active claims.. Dark sandstone is most abundant and is also the chief host rock of the gold-bearing deposits. Also present are chert, shale, serpentine, and volcanic rocks. Most of the gold has been recovered from small lenticular ore shoots in oxidized zones near the surface. The sulfides, which consist of fine-grained pyrite and small amounts of chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite generally, are low in gold content. Most of

1325-597: The early 1900s failed. Cruickshank lived on the site of the town until his death in 1937. To reach Manchester, after 1885 travelers could take the Southern Pacific Railroad to its southern terminus in Soledad . They could then ride horseback, drive their wagons, or ride a stage 37 miles (60 km) south to Jolon . From there an 18 miles (29 km) road was built to the Wagon Caves in the upper San Antonio Valley,

1378-643: The first year of the mining district, 63 claims were recorded. In 1889 the Manchester Mine was dug about 60 feet (18 m) into the mountain; the Melville Mine had a tunnel about 110 feet (34 m) long. Eventually around 500 claims existed. Many Los Burros mines were registered and renamed, likely filed under several different names. Placer claims were filed along Plaskett Creek, Willow Creek and tributaries, and Alder Creek. Cruikshank, who partnered with James Krinkle, shipped an estimated $ 62,000 in gold ore from

1431-458: The mission. Noted artist Esteban Munrás came to the area in the 1820s, along with his wife Catalina Munrás. He was granted Rancho San Vicente in 1835 by Governor José Castro , although he and his family resided in Monterey until his death in 1850. On his deathbed, Munrás told his dying wishes to his wife Catalina: that she should not sell Rancho San Vicente, but instead hold on to it and develop

1484-404: The occupied units, 45 (57.0%) were owner-occupied and 34 (43.0%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%. 114 people (58.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 81 people (41.5%) lived in rental housing units. In the state legislature , Manchester is in the 2nd Senate District , represented by Democrat Mike McGuire , and

1537-416: The ore crushers and stamp mills were brought by ship. Mules were used to haul the machinery 8 miles (13 km) up the ridge. Cruickshank built hoisting works and a 10-stamp mill which began operating on November 29, 1889. Another flurry of activity occurred in the early 1900s when placer gold was discovered in gravel and alluvial deposits along various forks of Willow Creek. The entire Willow Creek watershed

1590-522: The placer gold has come from Willow Creek, and much of it was concentrated as coarse ragged fragments. Very small amounts have been found in Alder, Plaskett, and Salmon creeks. The mining occurred in three nearly parallel quartz veinlets, parallel to a layer of sandstone. The gold was removed via open cuts, shafts, and drift tunnels. The Last Chance reached a maximum depth of 160 feet (49 m). In 1902, large gold nuggets were found on Spruce Creek and placer gold

1643-651: The plant was again closed. Several violations at the plant have been issued by the California Integrated Water Quality System Project . The plant was issued violations from 2002 to 2006 for various reporting and pollution allegations. Television service for the community comes from the Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz designated market area (DMA). Radio stations Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz area of dominant influence (ADI) or continuous measurement market (CMM). Local newspapers include

Manchester, Monterey County, California - Misplaced Pages Continue

1696-639: The population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 10,103 (39.3%) were institutionalized. There were 3,664 households, out of which 2,471 (67.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 2,387 (65.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 586 (16.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 291 (7.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 224 (6.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 30 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 301 households (8.2%) were made up of individuals, and 123 (3.4%) had someone living alone who

1749-525: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 6,993 people (27.2%) lived in rental housing units. The mean household income within the Soledad city limits was $ 58,841, and the median household income was $ 44,343. Roughly 7.8% of households were below the poverty line. Socioeconomically, 31.8% of Soledad's households were considered upper middle income to upper income while 45.8% were considered lower middle income to upper middle income. Roughly 22.4% of households were considered lower income. Soledad

1802-404: The population. There were 2,472 households, out of which 60.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.3% were non-families. 7.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.54 and

1855-479: The remaining miners shacks and cabins. The US Forest Service later destroyed any that remained. In mid-December, 1937, it was discovered that 81-year-old William D. "Billy" Cruikshank had not been seen since November 15. Billy went missing while traveling the trail between his cabin in Manchester and Jolon. The sheriff organized a posse on December 15 to look for him. The body of Cruikshank was eventually discovered on

1908-430: The southernmost part of the city. Soledad is 10 miles (16 km) by road southwest of Pinnacles National Park , nestled among the nearby Gabilan Range . This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Soledad has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate , abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. As of

1961-537: The town at the height of its popularity. A fire destroyed the town in late 1890. Portions were rebuilt, but by 1895 the boom had begun to fade. The Mansfield post office closed in 1897. Additional fires destroyed most traces of the town with the exception of the remnants of the stamp mills. In September 1970, the Buckeye fire burned through most of the Los Burros Mining District and destroyed nearly all of

2014-557: The town of Soledad on her Rancho San Vicente in the 1860s, which eventually incorporated as a city in 1921. Today, Soledad is a notable tourist destination, owing to the heavily restored mission, its proximity to Pinnacles National Park , and its numerous vineyards, as part of the Monterey wine region . The Chalon tribe of the Ohlone nation of indigenous Californians have inhabited the area around Soledad for thousands of years. The Paraíso Hot Springs, west of Soledad, had long been used by

2067-404: The vineyards and wineries located nearby are Chalone , Scheid, Paraiso Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards , Hahn Estate, San Saba, J. Lohr , Kendall-Jackson , Ventana, Hess Select, Estancia, The Michaud Vineyard and Graff Family Vineyards. Other notable wineries include Chalone Vineyard , Paraiso Springs Vineyards, Hahn Estate Winery, Zabala Vineyards, Richard Boyer Wines, and Ventana Vineyards. It

2120-438: Was $ 42,602, and the median income for a family was $ 41,188. Males had a median income of $ 31,566 versus $ 23,964 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 11,442. About 16.3% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. The 2010 United States Census reported that Soledad had a population of 25,738. The population density

2173-417: Was 34.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 235.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 301.8 males. There were 3,876 housing units at an average density of 849.0 units per square mile (327.8 units/km ), of which 2,092 (57.1%) were owner-occupied, and 1,572 (42.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 8,642 people (33.6% of

Manchester, Monterey County, California - Misplaced Pages Continue

2226-414: Was 5,637.5 inhabitants per square mile (2,176.7/km ). The racial makeup of Soledad was 12,625 (49.1%) White , 2,945 (11.4%) African American , 367 (1.4%) Native American , 757 (2.9%) Asian , 103 (0.4%) Pacific Islander , 8,189 (31.8%) from other races , and 752 (2.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18,308 persons (71.1%). The Census reported that 15,635 people (60.7% of

2279-567: Was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47. There were 49 families (62.0% of households); the average family size was 3.02. The age distribution was 50 people (25.6%) under the age of 18, 12 people (6.2%) aged 18 to 24, 42 people (21.5%) aged 25 to 44, 60 people (30.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 31 people (15.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 41.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males. There were 104 housing units, at an average density of 39.7 per square mile; of

2332-417: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.27. There were 3,264 families (89.1% of all households); the average family size was 4.41. The population was spread out, with 5,674 people (22.0%) under the age of 18, 2,455 people (9.5%) aged 18 to 24, 10,126 people (39.3%) aged 25 to 44, 6,296 people (24.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,187 people (4.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

2385-431: Was 74.5 inhabitants per square mile (28.8/km ). The racial makeup of Manchester was 151 (77.4%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 4 (2.1%) Native American, 1 (0.5%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 29 (14.9%) from other races, and 10 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 48 people (24.6%). The whole population lived in households; no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one

2438-532: Was a 10 miles (16 km) hike to the summit of the Santa Lucia Mountains, followed by a 2 miles (3.2 km) downhill trek to the mines. To the west of Manchester, a few families homesteaded the region around what is known as Lopez Point (known today as Lucia ), including the Harlan, Dani, Gamboa, and Lopez families. The district comprised about 8 square miles (21 km). It was defined as: Commencing at

2491-610: Was discovered by W.D. Cruikshank and later worked by the Krinkle family. Down the hill (from the mine) around this spot, a thriving town of hotels, stores, and seven saloons sprang up. Other mines followed but no records of how much gold was taken exist. Served by the Mansfield P.O. from 1889 to 1897 a series of fires destroyed all traces of this historic ghost mining town. Dedicated this 12 day of October 1897 Monterey Viejo 1846 E. Clampus Vitus. R.I.P. Soledad, California Soledad

2544-481: Was established in Manchester on September 14, 1889. The name Mansfield was given to the post office because Manchester was already in use by Manchester in northern California. E.S. Harrison, author or "Monterey County", published in 1890, reported that 100 people lived in Manchester. A petition to build a road to the mines was put before the county Board of Supervisors in January 1890, but never advanced. In October 1889,

2597-486: Was found in Willow Creek. Ancona, Buclimo $ 62,000; Bushnell, Gorda, Grizzly, Mariposa, Melville, New York, Plaskett (placer) $ 18,000; Spruce (placer) $ 22,000. The value of the total output is estimated to be about $ 150,000 (or about $ 2,662,000 today). Manchester was located a few hundred yards downhill from the Last Chance mine. The Mansfield post office, named after Curnell Mansfield of nearby Pacific Valley and his family,

2650-499: Was institutionalized. There were 79 households; of these, 23 (29.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 38 (48.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 7 (8.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, and 4 (5.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (10.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 1 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 25 households (31.6%) were one person and 7 (8.9%) had someone living alone who

2703-572: Was named after Manchester, England , an early settler's former home. Manchester is in southwestern Mendocino County along California State Route 1 and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean . Route 1 leads north 29 miles (47 km) to Mendocino and south through Point Arena, 67 miles (108 km) to Bodega Bay . According to the United States Census Bureau , the CDP covers an area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km ), all of it land. It

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2756-584: Was once the home of the Paul Masson Winery which is now closed. Soledad is home to the Soledad Energy Partnership, operators of a wood-waste burning electric power plant. This 13.5 megawatt facility was restarted in July 2001 after a six-year shut-down due to termination of a PG&E purchase agreement. The plant was recommissioned during the California electricity crisis . As of mid-2006,

2809-502: Was prospected, and a large number of pits, shafts, tunnels, open cuts, and adits were explored by miners. The mines were not very productive, and most mining activity ceased by about 1895. Between 1900 and 1909, another 322 claims were filed there. Intermittent small-scale prospecting and development work have continued in the district until the present time. There was a recorded production of several hundred dollars worth of gold in 1953 and again in 1963. Over 2000 mining claims were located in

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