By Matthew Fortuna
Napa, California is a mid-sized city in the northwest/middle part of California. The city has been a Native American habitation for much of its existence, and dates back to a village of hunters and gatherers in the middle ages. It is 40 miles from the Oakland metropolitan area, and is the frequent victim of floods from the Napa River.
History
Napa was first settled and founded by Europeans in 1823 by the Spaniard Josa Altimira. After the Bear Flag Revolt of 1830, American farmers settled the town permanently.
Progress
In 1850, Napa became one of the original counties of California. It gained a courthouse by 1851, and by the next decade the city had one of the most bustling main streets in California.
Features
Napa is home to The Napa Valley Register newspaper, an opera house and a state asylum. The city became the hub of Napa Valley commerce in the 1900s.
Floods
Lying along the Napa River, the city has flooded at least 25 times since 1865, with one 2005 flood destroying over 1,000 homes.
Demographics
With a population around 75,000 for much of the 20th century, Napa is 90% white and 7% Native American. Half of all Napa households are inhabited by married couples.
Standard of Living
The median household income in Napa is just under $50,000. About 9% of the population is below the poverty line.
Famous Ties
Many famous people have come from Napa, California, including actor Robin Williams, musician Sly Stone, actor Robert Redford, baseball player Jim Landis and NASCAR driver Phil Bonifield.
About the Author:
Matthew Fortuna is a full-time freelance writer with a journalism degree from Wayne State University, living in the Detroit metropolitan area. He has written about a wide range of topics across varying publications, including Demand Studios, wiseGEEK.com and Suite101.com, among others. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Wayne State University.
