New Cuyama, California
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| New Cuyama, California | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States of America | ||
| State | California | ||
| County | Santa Barbara County | ||
| Settled | 1822 | ||
| Elevation | 2,150 ft (655 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 793 | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) | ||
| ZIP code | 93254 | ||
| Area code(s) | 805 | ||
| Website: [1] | |||
New Cuyama is an unincorporated town in Santa Barbara County, California, in the United States. It was named after the Chumash Indian word for "clams", most likely due to the millions of petrified prehistoric clamshells that grace the surrounding areas. The town is home to the majority of the utility infrastructure for its residents, including nearby neighbor Cuyama, California. New Cuyama is located very close to the intersection points for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Kern counties. The town is served by Highway 166 (connecting U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 5) and the public-use New Cuyama Airport.
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[edit] History
The area was considered territory of the Yokuts people, but Chumash Indians from the Pacific Coast are also known to have frequented the area. The imprint of an old Indian trail can still be seen leading over the hills of to the headwaters of Piru creek.
The area's recorded history dates to 1822 when Mexico won independence from Spain and took over the Spanish colony of California. Two land grants were eventually given by the Mexican government for the lower Cuyama Valley (where current New Cuyama resides), privatizing ownership of the land[1].
In 1952, the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) settled and developed the town of New Cuyama, building housing and supporting commercial business – including the New Cuyama Airport (L88) which bears the distinction of being the only public-use paved airport within easy flying range of Los Angeles for more than 50 miles (80 km). Much of the infrastructure from ARCO’s settling of the town still exists today and is used by town residents. The original ARCO-built refinery is still in use and easily seen due south of New Cuyama, though ARCO has since sold off interest in the facility[2].
The town of New Cuyama, when founded, was considered the pearl of eastern Santa Barbara County, due to the flow of oil that was coming out of the region. During this time Richfield Oil Company built the town funded schools and provided all the important utilities other than electricity. Now that the oil is gone, the only substantial industry is agriculture.
[edit] Population
1,100 according to the New Cuyama city limit sign as of 4/12/08 (The Side Bar as far as I know is incorrect)(I am not the Original Writer.)
[edit] Geography
New Cuyama is located at (34.947933, -119.68915)[3]. It is situated in the Cuyama Valley.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Detailed History of Cuyama Valley
- Cuyama Joint Unified School District
- Wandering Lizard Cuyama Valley Photographs
- New Cuyama, California is at coordinates Coordinates:
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