Fiddletown, California

Fiddletown (from 1878 to 1932, Oleta)[6] is a census-designated place[3] in Amador County, California. It lies at an elevation of 1683 feet (513 m). It is located at 38°30′14″N 120°45′20″W. The town is registered as a California Historical Landmark[5] and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-78000655).[4] The community is in ZIP code 95629 and area code 209. Fiddletown's population was 235 at the 2010 census.

For the California wine region, see Fiddletown AVA. For the town in Australia, see Fiddletown, New South Wales.
Fiddletown
Census designated place
The Chew Kee Chinese Apothecary (historic rammed-earth structure) in Fiddletown
Fiddletown
Location in California
Coordinates: 38°30′14″N 120°45′20″W
Country United States
State California
CountyAmador County
Settled1849
Area
 • Total4.636 sq mi (12.007 km2)
 • Land4.636 sq mi (12.007 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation1,683 ft (513 m)
Population
 • Total235
 • Density51/sq mi (20/km2)
ZIP code
95629
Area code209
FIPS code06-23980
GNIS feature IDs223482,[2] 2583012[3]
Fiddletown
NRHP reference No.78000655[4]
CHISL No.35[5]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 7, 1978
Designated CHISL1932[5]

History
See also: California gold rush

The town was first settled in 1849 reportedly by settlers from Missouri though no historical records have survived which confirm this.[7]:5 The earliest settlement was largely populated by transient miners living in tents or wooden sheds, though Fiddletown grew rapidly in 1852 when gold was discovered in the dry riverbeds of the surrounding area. A 22 mile canal was completed in 1853 which diverted the Cosumnes River and brought water to these riverbeds so that miners could pan for gold.[7]:9 This water source also supplied irrigation for local agriculture which further spurred the establishment of a permanent town. By 1854 the town reportedly had over 2000 residents.[7]:7

During the 1850s the town began to develop a cohesive community with a number of community buildings and fraternal orders being founded. The first church was completed in 1853, and that same year the United States Postal Service opened a Fiddletown post office. As more families began to populate the town, the first school began accepting students around 1855. These community buildings were matched by community organizing with a number of fraternal organizations being established. One of the earliest was a division of the Sons of Temperance, founded to combat alcoholism and what one then-resident referred to as the "desecrating hand of vice [which] steals upon our citizens in the shape of Chinese and other prostitutes who have been driven from the cities".[7]:8 [8] A Jewish Society was formed in 1857 around the same time that a synagogue was established in the now county seat of Jackson, California. The Free Masons formed a lodge that same year, and in 1959 a lodge of Odd Fellows was established.

At the time of its founding, placer mining was the most popular mining technique, which is heavily dependent on water. The local water source, Dry Creek, ran dry during the summer months, during which time the miners were said to be "fiddling around," thus the name. However, one local citizen was embarrassed to be known as the "Man from Fiddletown" and successfully lobbied to have the name changed to Oleta (after his daughter) in 1878. The old name was restored in 1932.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

The 2010 United States Census[10] reported that Fiddletown had a population of 235. The population density was 50.7 people per square mile (19.6/km2). The racial makeup of Fiddletown was 215 (91.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 5 (2.1%) Native American, 1 (0.4%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 8 (3.4%) from other races, and 6 (2.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22 persons (9.4%).

The Census reported that 235 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 102 households, out of which 23 (22.5%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 55 (53.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 8 (7.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 9 (8.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2 (2.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 26 households (25.5%) were made up of individuals, and 9 (8.8%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30. There were 72 families (70.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.75.

The population was spread out, with 48 people (20.4%) under the age of 18, 12 people (5.1%) aged 18 to 24, 42 people (17.9%) aged 25 to 44, 78 people (33.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 55 people (23.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.5 males.

There were 126 housing units at an average density of 27.2 per square mile (10.5/km2), of which 102 were occupied, of which 77 (75.5%) were owner-occupied, and 25 (24.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%. 174 people (74.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 61 people (26.0%) lived in rental housing units.

Politics

In the state legislature Fiddletown is in the 8th Senate District, represented by Republican Andreas Borgeas,[11] and the 5th Assembly District, represented by Republican Frank Bigelow.[12] Federally, Fiddletown is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom McClintock.[13]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fiddletown has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[14]

Famous residents

Leon "Whitey" Thompson (1923-2005), author and former inmate of Alcatraz.[15]

References
  1. "2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files – Places – California". United States Census Bureau.
  2. "Fiddletown". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  3. "Fiddletown Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  5. "Oleta (Old Fiddletown)". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
  6. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 484. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  7. Zorbas, Elaine (1997). Fiddletown: from gold rush to rediscovery. Mythos. ISBN 0965879305.
  8. "Fiddletown Correspondence, August 30, 1854". Golden Era. September 10, 1854.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  10. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Fiddletown CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  11. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  12. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  13. "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  14. "Fiddletown, California Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase.
  15. "Leon Thompson wrote of Alcatraz". www.sfgate.com.
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