Upper Lake, California

Upper Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, California, United States. Upper Lake is located north of Lakeport, at an elevation of . The population was 1,095 at the 2020 census, up from 1,052 at the 2010 census. The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are headquartered here.Clear Lake's First People.
(pdf file) ''Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.'' (retrieved 27 Feb 2009)

Etymology

This community was formerly named Upper Clear Lake and Upperlake. The Upper Clear Lake post office opened in 1871, changed its name to Upper Lake in 1875, to Upperlake in 1905, and then back to Upper Lake in 1906.

History

The settlement began in 1854 or 1856, when William B. Elliott opened a blacksmith's shop. About ten years later, in 1866, a man named Bukofsky built a store, followed by another blacksmith shop built by Caspar Sweikert. A hotel was started by Henry Taylor. A grist mill was built in 1858 and closed in 1867. A second grist mill was built in 1875. The community grew as cattle stock, alfalfa and bean canneries became the main economic draws.

Upper Lake was a hub of most activities in the northern part of Lake County. In 1860, when Upper Lake was known as Upper Clear Lake, there existed a toll road between the town and Lower Lake which routed through Lakeport. In 1865, the "Blue Lakes Wagon Road Co." completed a toll road which connected Upper Lake to Ukiah. In 1872 the Upper Lake & Clover Valley Toll Road Co." built an improved route that connected Bartlett Springs. Bartlett Springs sat in the high mountains east of Upper Lake and had a toll road running east into the Sacramento valley. These toll roads became the major route to move people in and out of Lake County. Folks from around the world could take a train to Hopland, then take a stagecoach to Lakeport. From Lakeport they would take a steamboat across Clear Lake to Bartlett Landing. The Wharf was located along the shoreline just east of Upper Lake. From there they would take a stagecoach via Upper Lake up to Bartlett Springs Resort. Travelers could also take a train from the San Francisco Bay area into the Sacramento Valley and then take a stage into Lake County via Bartlett Springs and Upper Lake. By the early 1890s, all major routes into and out of Lake County were toll roads.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which over 99% is land.

At the 2000 census, according to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of , of which of it was land and of it (3.33%) was water.

The Hayville Sulphur Spring, formerly used medicinally, is located northwest.

Climate

Upper Lake has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate (''Csa'') according to the Köppen climate classification system.

Demographics

2020

Upper Lake first appeared as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. Census.

The 2020 United States census reported that Upper Lake had a population of 1,095. The population density was . The racial makeup of Upper Lake was 64.4% White, 0.3% African American, 5.1% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 14.5% from other races, and 15.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.1% of the population.

The census reported that 99.5% of the population lived in households and 0.5% were institutionalized.

There were 400 households, out of which 26.3% included children under the age of 18, 37.0% were married-couple households, 12.0% were cohabiting couple households, 26.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 24.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 31.2% of households were one person, and 18.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.73. There were 224 families (56.0% of all households).

The age distribution was 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% aged 18 to 24, 28.6% aged 25 to 44, 25.8% aged 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 38.4years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males.

There were 454 housing units at an average density of , of which 400 (88.1%) were occupied. Of these, 72.8% were owner-occupied, and 27.3% were occupied by renters.

Economy

Viticulture

The Upper Lake area emerged as a wine-growing region in the 1880s, counting among his earliest viticulturists Serranus Clinton Hastings, who farmed of vineyards and had a winery and distillery built, operating until 1900. Charles M. Hammond planted a 25-acre vineyard in the late 19th century which was still thriving in 1914.

Viticulture and winemaking activities were wiped out by Prohibition, and vineyards were abandoned or replanted with orchards, most notably walnuts, which remain a key crop in the area. Some vineyards were replanted starting in the 1970s, and as of 2022 there were about planted under vines. The Upper Lake Valley American Viticultural Area was recognized in 2022.

Canning

The early economy of Upper Lake comprised canning beans, growing alfalfa and raising cattle. During the late 19th century, canned beans developed into the primary economy for Upper Lake in the mid-20th century. The first cannery, which employed 400 people annually, was built in 1897 by A. Mendenhall. The first cannery was actually built by Mr. Henry Van Wambold. He built his "Blue Lakes Cannery" in 1895 and Mr. Mendenhall followed with his "Clear Lake Cannery" in 1897. This information is found in the State of California archives which show the application paperwork along with the trademark labels that were issued by California for each of these canneries. The name "Blue Lake" green bean was developed near the shores of the Blue Lakes of Lake County, near Upper Lake. Both these canneries were bought out in 1927 and were then renamed the "Lake County Cannery". The Lake County Cannery continued in operation until 1968.

Government

In the California State Legislature, Upper Lake is in , and in .

In the United States House of Representatives, Upper Lake is in .

Education

One of the first schools in Lake County was located in Upper Lake. The first teacher was J.W. Mackall, a former cashier at Farmers' Savings Bank.

Notable people

Benjamin Dewell, a member of the Bear Flag Rebellion, settled in Upper Lake, becoming the first permanent white settler, along with his wife Celia, in 1854.

References

External links

Information webpage on Upper Lake, California

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Census-designated places in Lake County, California
Populated places established in 1856
Census-designated places in California