Athlone, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athlone
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 Athlone
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Merced County |
| Elevation | 207 ft (63 m) |
Athlone is a small, unincorporated community located in Merced County, California, in the United States. It sits about 6 miles (10 km) west-southwest of Le Grand. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but without its own local government. Athlone is situated at an elevation of 207 feet (63 meters) above sea level.
History of Athlone
Early Days and Naming
Athlone was first planned out in 1873. This happened soon after a railroad was built through the San Joaquin Valley. The town was first called Plainsburg Station.
Later, the town was renamed Athlone. This new name came from an Irish immigrant named James Gilhane. He opened a saloon called Athlone House, which he named after the town of Athlone in County Westmeath, Ireland.
Life in Early Athlone
For many years, Athlone had a post office. It operated from 1881 to 1905, with a short break in 1901. It reopened from 1906 to 1909 and again from 1914 to 1937.
The town also had several businesses. For a short time around the early 1900s, it even had a normal school. A normal school was a special type of school that trained teachers. The main ways people made a living in Athlone were by raising cattle and growing wheat.
Changes Over Time
Most of Athlone was destroyed in 1950. This happened when US 99, a major highway, was expanded into a freeway. A schoolhouse in Athlone remained active until the early 1940s.
During World War II, the US Army built the Athlone Auxiliary Field near Athlone. This airfield was used from 1942 to 1945 to train pilots for the war.
See also
In Spanish: Athlone (California) para niños
