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Encyclopedia > Soledad, California

Soledad is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. The population was 11,263 at the 2000 census. Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Soledad town sign
Soledad town sign

The town is located near the original Spanish mission, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded October 9, 1791 by Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, the 13th of 21 missions in the California mission chain. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 193 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Soledad City Limits July 2007. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 193 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Soledad City Limits July 2007. ... Looking toward the rebuilt chapel at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in December 2004. ... is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1791 (MDCCXCI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén de Arasqueta (June 7, 1736 – June 26, 1803) was a Spanish missionary to the Americas. ... The Spanish Missions in California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans. ...


Soledad is located in one of the premiere 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 the Vineyards and Wineries located nearby are Chalone, Scheid, Paraiso Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Hahn Estates Smith & Hook, San Saba, J.Lohr, Kendall-Jackson, Ventana, Hess Select, Estancia, The Michaud Vineyard, and Graff Family Vineyards.


Also Located near Soledad is the Salinas Valley State Prison, an intermediate care inpatient psychiatric program primarily servicing high security inmates who have a major mental disorder that has diminished their ability to function within the prison environment. Adjacent to it is the medium security Correctional Training Facility.

Contents

MST Monterey Salinas Transit Center

Soledad has a bus stop which is numbered 23, and this bus takes you to Greenfield, King City, Gonzales, Chualar,and Salinas. There are 6 bus stops located in Soledad at the moment. Greenfield is a city located in Monterey County, California. ... King City may refer to: King City, California, USA King City, Missouri, USA King City, Oregon, USA This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Gonzales is a variant spelling of the common Spanish surname Gonzalez. ... Chualar is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. ... Salinas is a Portuguese and Spanish word meaning saltworks, salt mines or salt pans. ...


Historical Data

Originally founded as a Spanish mission October, 9 1791 by Fermín Lasuén The Spanish Missions in California (more simply referred to as the California Missions) comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic Dominicans, Jesuits, and Franciscans, to spread the Christian doctrine among the local Native Americans. ... Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén de Arasqueta (June 7, 1736 – June 26, 1803) was a Spanish missionary to the Americas. ...


Founded under the rule of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (Virreinato de Nueva España) 1535 to 1821. Flag of New Spain New Spain (in the Spanish language Nueva España) was the name given to the Spanish colonial territory in North America from c. ... Events January 18 - Lima, Peru founded by Francisco Pizarro April - Jacques Cartier discovers the Iroquois city of Stadacona, Canada (now Quebec) and in May, the even greater Huron city of Hochelaga June 24 - The Anabaptist state of Münster (see Münster Rebellion) is conquered and disbanded. ... The coronation banquet for George IV 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...


The community of Soledad began in 1874 as a few buildings and shops. The two main streets were named Front and Main. Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...


In 1886, land was subdivided into lots and sold by its owners, the Munras family. Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...


In the late 1880s the Southern Pacific Railroad laid rails and began serving the area. // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ...


In 1898 Fort Romie was founded a few miles north of the mission and west of the city. Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...


San Vicente School was built in 1913 forming the Soledad School District. Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...


The City, a general law city, incorporated in March 1921 with a City Council/City Manager form of government. Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...


Soledad is used as a backdrop in John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men 1937, an emotional short story about two close financially failing friends of opposite personalities who must farm others land to make what meager living they can, always dreaming for their own personal property. John Ernst Steinbeck (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was one of the best-known and most widely read American writers of the 20th century. ... Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck, first published in 1937, which tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced Anglo migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression (1929-1941). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...


Soledad has been rocked by the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 San Francisco Earthquake of 1906: Ruins in vicinity of Post and Grant Avenue. ... The Loma Prieta earthquake was a major earthquake affecting the greater San Francisco Bay Area of California. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...


The Soledad Prison was three miles north of the city until annexed in 1992. It was built in 1946 and currently has an operating budget of $245 million. Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ...


In May 1996 the Salinas Valley State prison was opened at a cost of $236 million, with an annual operating budget of $60 million. Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ...


Geography

Location of Soledad, California

Soledad is located at 36°25′60″N, 121°19′47″W (36.433199, -121.329828)GR1. Image File history File links CAMap-doton-Soledad. ...


According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²), all land. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...


Soledad is about six miles southeast of Pinnacles National Monument, nestled among the nearby Gabilan Mountains. Pinnacles National Monument is protected mountainous area located east of central Californias Salinas Valley. ... The Gabilan Range or Gabilan Mountains are located on the Pacific Coast Range of Californias Central Coast trending in a northwest-southeast direction along the Monterey County and San Benito County line. ...


Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 11,263 people, 2,472 households, and 2,242 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,035.4/km² (2,680.0/mi²). There were 2,534 housing units at an average density of 232.9/km² (603.0/mi²). 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 the population. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...


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 the average family size was 4.58. This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...


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 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 per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...


Energy Production

Soledad is home to the Soledad Energy Partnership, operators of a wood-waste burning electric power plant. This 13.5 mega-watt facility was restarted in July 2001 after a six year shut-down due to termination of a PG&E purchase agreement. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is the utility that provides power to most of Northern California. ...


As of mid-2006, the plant was again closed.


Farming and Agriculture

Organic Farmland
Organic Farmland

Land for agriculture is Soledad's most abundant natural resource. Soledad's farmland is considered "Prime Farmland", meaning 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 is 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. Class I, II, and III soils are the most valuable to farming. The climate also allows for year round crops.
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 226 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This picture of organic farmland on the outskirts of Soledad, CA was taken July 8, 2007. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 226 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This picture of organic farmland on the outskirts of Soledad, CA was taken July 8, 2007. ...


Schools

Soledad Unified School District serves approximately 3,900 students in grades K-12. There are 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 comprehensive high school and 1 community education center which houses a variety of alternative programs. These programs include adult education, regional occupational program (ROP), independent study, and a continuation high school.

  • San Vicente Elementary Founded 1980
  • Frank Ledesma Elementary
  • Jack Franscioni Elementary
  • Gabilan Elementary Founded 1980
  • Rose Ferrero Elementary
  • Main St. Middle school, Home of the Trojans Founded 1980
  • Soledad High School, Home of the Aztecs Founded 1999
  • Chalone Alternative School
  • Pinnacles Continuation High School
  • Soledad Adult School
  • Mission Trails Regional Occupation Program

Soledad in "Pop Culture"

Soledad is located in the heart of the Salinas Valley also know as the "Worlds Salad Bowl". The Salinas Valley in the Central Coast region of California lies along the Salinas River between the Gabilan Mountains and the Santa Lucia Range. ...


The movie American Me references the Soledad prison. American Me is a 1992 film directed by Edward James Olmos (his first film as director) and written by Floyd Mutrux and Desmond Nakano. ...


Gangsta rappers Da Lynch Mob, on their album Guerillas in the Mist, makes reference to the Soledad Prison Gangsta rap, also known as hardcore hip-hop, was the name given to the subgenre of hip hop which often involved lyrical subjects based on the violence and misogyny inherent in the lifestyle of street thugs and gangsters. ... Guerillas In Tha Mist is the debut album by Da Lench Mob, who originally appeared on Ice Cubes debut solo album, Amerikkkas Most Wanted. ...


Chicano gangs refer to Soledad as "Chole," The origins of which are linked to Soledad "Chole" Salas Chicano teenager in El Pasos second ward. ... A gang is a group of individuals who share a common identity and, in current usage, engage in illegal activities. ...


Actor Rafael H. Robledo was raised in Soledad.


A La Brava: Prison and Beyond, is a documentary about two chicano prisoners serving their term in Soledad prison.


Hardcore gangster rapper X-Raided recorded a record while serving his 31 year prison term over the phone and through smuggled recordings from Soledad Prison Notorious gangsta rapper X-Raided was born Anarae Brown in Waco, TX, and raised primarily in Sacramento, CA. Shortly after releasing his 1992 debut LP Psycho Active, he was convicted on murder charges -- in fact, the albums violent lyrics were even cited as evidence at the trial. ...


Ricardo Soto's film A la brava (With Courage) p.1974 describes the conditions of Chicano convicts at Soledad prison. Chicano teenager in El Pasos second ward. ...


The book The Melancholy History of Soledad Prison p.1973 by MS Yee in which a Utopian scheme turns to bedlam is based on the Soledad prison


The book Of Mice and Men takes place in Soledad Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck, first published in 1937, which tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced Anglo migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression (1929-1941). ...


Rapper from Long Beach Tray Deee was also held in the Salinas Valley State Prison which is in Soledad. Tray Dee (real name Tracy Lamar Davis, born October 1966 in Long Beach, California) is a rapper who was once signed to Death Row Records and later signed with Snoop Doggs label Dogghouse Records (now Doggystyle Records). ...


Travellers passing through Soledad on Highway 101 drive past a large, well-known, and ultimately somewhat ambiguous promotional billboard that reads, "Its Happening in Soledad."


Minnie, the title character in Giacomo Puccini's opera La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West), sings an aria about her younger years living in Soledad. Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (December 22, 1858 – November 29, 1924) was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire. ... La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini, based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by David Belasco. ...


The Prisons

The city has three separate correctional facilities in the northernmost part of the city. The first and oldest prison is Soledad CTF (Correctional Training Facility) built in 1946. It was also one of the first 12 prisons of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The other two are, the Gabilan Fire camp, and the Salinas Valley State Correctional Facility which opened in 1996. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ...


Soledad's opposition to provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act

RESOLUTION NO. 3376


A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLEDAD EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO PROVISIONS OF THE U.S. PATRIOT ACT



WHEREAS, the City of Soledad is committed to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of its residents; and


WHEREAS, the City of Soledad has a diverse population, including immigrants, students, and working people, whose contributions to the community are vital to its character and function; and


WHEREAS, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights guarantee to all persons living in the United States these fundamental rights: freedom of religion, speech, assembly; protection from unreasonable searches and seizures; due process and equal protection to any person; equality before the law and the presumption of innocence; access to counsel in judicial proceedings; and a fair, speedy and public trial; and


WHEREAS, several new federal laws, regulations, and executive orders issued during the past year including the adoption of certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act now threaten these constitutional rights and liberties; and


WHEREAS, these new powers threaten the civil rights and civil liberties of Soledad residents, and particularly affect those of Latino, Arab-American, Muslim, and South Asian backgrounds and thereby encourages racial profiling by law enforcement agencies and hate crimes by individuals in the community; and


WHEREAS, thirty years ago this November, California voters overwhelmingly adopted a Constitutional right to privacy to protect against a "proliferation of government snooping and data collecting [that] is threatening to destroy our traditional freedoms".


NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Soledad as follows:


1. The Council affirms its strong opposition to terrorism but also affirms that any efforts to end terrorism not be waged at the expense of the fundamental civil rights and liberties of the people of Soledad and the United States.


2. The Council affirms its strong support for fundamental constitutional rights and its opposition to the provisions of the USA Patriot Act that infringe on important civil liberties.


3. The Council affirms its strong support for the constitutional rights for immigrants and immigrant communities in Soledad and opposes racial profiling of such citizens.



4. The Council directs the City Manager to determine how the new federal powers are being used in Soledad and how they are affecting Soledad residents. The City Manager may do this by requesting the following information from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California and the Special Agent in Charge for the Soledad area. The City Manager may also determine if any information listed below is held by City agencies. The City Manager shall report the results to the City Council on a periodic basis.


a. The following information regarding all detainees that have been held in the City of Soledad as a result of terrorism investigations: name of detainee, where detainee is being held, circumstances of detention, any charges brought against the detainee, whether the detainee has been transferred, whether the detainee has been deported, if the detainee has legal representation, and the name of the attorney.


b. The number of times library records have been requested from Soledad libraries under powers granted in the USA Patriot Act.


c. The number of times records have been requested from bookstores in Soledad under powers granted in the USA Patriot Act.


d. The number of "sneak and peak" searches executed in Soledad under the powers granted in the USA Patriot Act.


e. The number of individuals living in Soledad who have been questioned in connection with terrorism investigations, and the race, ethnicity, and immigration status of those individuals.


f. The number of wiretaps utilized in Soledad under the powers granted in the USA Patriot Act.


g. The number of religious institutions, political rallies, and political meetings monitored in Soledad.


h. The number of terrorism related tips received from Soledad residents.


i. The number of residents of Soledad being held in connection with civil immigration violations and the nationality of those being held.


j. The number of requests made to the Soledad Police Department for assistance with the execution of any of the above powers, including the number of times local police have detained individuals on civil immigration violations based on information obtained from the National Crime Center database.


5. The Council directs that to the extent legally possible, no City employee or department shall officially assist or voluntarily cooperate with investigations, interrogations or arrest procedures, public or clandestine, that are in violation of individuals' civil rights or civil liberties as specified by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and California Constitution.


6. The Council strongly urges public libraries, other institutions, organizations and businesses within the City of Soledad to post in a prominent place within the building a notice to the public that under provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act, records of borrowed books and other materials, private financial records, medical and educational and other personal records, as applicable, may be obtained by federal agents.


7. The Council directs the City Manager to send a letter and a copy of this resolution to Senators Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and Congressperson Sam Farr urging them to work to repeal all provisions of the U.S. Patriot Act that infringe on civil liberties. A copy of the letter and resolution shall also be sent to President Bush and Attorney General Ashcroft.


PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Soledad at a regular meeting duly held on the 15th of October 2003, by the following vote:


AYES, and in favor thereof, Councilmembers: Christopher Bourke, Stefanie De La Rosa, Juan Saavedra, Mayor Pro Tem Ted Barrera, Mayor Richard Ortiz


Nearby Recreation

Pinnacles National Monument is protected mountainous area located east of central Californias Salinas Valley. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
City of Soledad....Feel the Momentum (324 words)
Located in the central Salinas Valley of Monterey County, the City of Soledad is approximately 130 miles south of San Francisco, 40 miles southeast of the Monterey Peninsula, 25 miles south of Salinas and 25 miles north of King City.
Soledad is currently the fastest growing city within California, increasing at an average annual rate of 8% over the last five years.
From Soledad, visitors can easily enjoy and access fine wine tasting, the Pinnacles National Monument, recreational and boating activities at Naciemento and San Antonio Lakes, the Arroyo Seco Wilderness Area, the county government center in Salinas, the Monterey Peninsula beaches and tourist attractions and the beautiful coastline of Big Sur.
California @ WestCoastRoads - California 52 (3514 words)
California 52 is the Soledad Freeway, starting at Interstate 5 at the foot of Mount Soledad in Rose Canyon, then heading east through San Clemente Canyon to Interstate 805.
California 52 through this area was built on the original landfill, and as a result, the road has a tendency to sink.
Watch this stretch of California 52 for dips in the freeway, because this particular section of freeway was constructed on top of an old landfill that was topped off in the middle of the 20th century.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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