Valley Springs, California


Valley Springs is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and is a census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, United States. Valley Springs is registered as a California Historical Landmark #251.

History

Valley Springs was once known as Spring Valley. Because there was another post office called Spring Valley in Colusa County, the name was changed to Valley Springs. The earliest settlers were Native American. The presence of grinding rocks found in Valley Springs suggests that the Mi-Wuk, and the Yokut tribes, resided in Valley Springs. They gathered acorns for trade and food before returning to their home in the spring. The Mi-Wuk were later driven further into the hills due to Gold Rush miners.
1849 saw the first saloon and store in the Valley Springs region. Thereafter, small farms and large ranches were established to provide food for settlers. Stage stops emerged along Highway 26, lodging developed, and Highway 12 linked roads to the surrounding areas.
A need for more affordable freight rates, expansion of tourism to Big Trees, and timber interests caused a need for a quicker mode of transport. Land was being sold quickly, roads and buildings were being built as settlers settled in. The railways expanded and on April 25, 1885, the very first train pulled into Valley Springs station which was at first merely a tent. Valley Springs became a center of freight distribution. Furthermore, residents could reach San Francisco in seven and a half hours, Stockton in two and a half hours, Sacramento in three hours, and by train. A large fire burned down the majority of the central town in September 1895. Because of this fire, the lack of rail expansion to the nearby mountains, and due to the lofty expectations of the railroad, Valley Springs was hit hard.
Despite rebuilding the town, Valley Springs' population increase was below one percent a year. Not even the appearance of electricity in 1899 and the SP rail’s move to a standard gauge line would encourage local growth. From 1910 to 1930 the population drastically decreased. In 1923, Valley Springs only had 350 residents! However, 1925 saw a big change with the Calaveras Cement Company’s need for product transportation. The rail extended which helped develop the Pardee Dam as well as help in the shipment of cement directly to sources such as the Bay Area. The McClellan and Travis Air Force base, San Francisco Airport, the Central Valley Dams, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was built thanks to Valley Springs and the local cement it transported over the miles.
Calaveras Cement and the construction of both the Hogan Dam and Pardee Dam increased employment. Local lumber, forest products, cement, and clay resources increased shipping needs. Agriculture still remained the main occupation of residents whose primary agricultural focus was on grains, livestock, and small-scale wine grapes and olives. Nevertheless, Valley Spring’s strategic location was key to it importance.
1930s and 1940s saw a six percent annual population increase. Population then flattened out in the 1950s to increase again in the 1960s. This was largely due to the development of the Camanche Reservoir and the expansion of the Hogan Reservoir. The 1970s saw population increase resulting from Rancho Calaveras, the La Contenta Golf Course, and the development of its surrounding HOA governed homes. The doors of major manufacturing closed in the 1980s yet, Valley Springs continues to expand in population and development. For decades it assisted in the development of major cities in the valley and the bay. Now however, Valley Spring’s is developing its own community.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, 99.96% of it land.

Climate

Valley Springs has a Mediterranean climate typical of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Winters are cool and wet with mild days, chilly nights, and substantial rainfall. Summers are hot and dry with very hot days, cool nights, and minimal rainfall. Due to the orographic effect, rainfall in all seasons is significantly greater than on the valley floor to the west.
Summers are typically very warm to hot, springs and falls are temperate, and winters are cool with a slight dusting of snow and/or frost. Hot, dry summers make Valley Springs fire-prone; however, there are three fire stations, lake water, and adequate road access in order to assist in extinguishing fires expediently.

Demographics

Valley Springs total population
Population3,553
Male Population:1,759
Female Population:1,794

Politics

Valley Springs voters are a majority Republican, approximately one third Democrat, and approximately 9% Independent. This is a greater percentage Republican and Independent than the United States average, and a lesser percentage Democrat.
In the state legislature, Valley Springs is in, and. Federally, Valley Springs is in.