Banta, California facts for kids
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Banta is a small town in San Joaquin County, California, that isn't officially a city. It's called an "unincorporated community."
Long ago, in the 1840s, Banta was known as the village of San Joaquin Valley. It was an important stop for stagecoaches, like a bus stop back then. Travelers would stop here before crossing the Altamont Pass on their way between Stockton and the San Francisco Bay Area.
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How Banta Got Its Name
The stagecoach stop led to the creation of the Elk Horn Inn. This inn was a place where tired travelers and local farmers could get a drink. In 1853, the owner, Ransom Chamberlain, made the inn bigger. He added a two-story hotel, a restaurant, and a bar. He then renamed it "The White House."
In 1863, a man named Henry Banta bought the inn from Chamberlain. He changed the sign to say "Banta's White House." Soon, everyone, including locals and travelers, started calling the whole settlement "Bantas." This name then began to appear on maps and stagecoach schedules.
Banta and the Railroad
In 1869, Banta became a stop for trains carrying goods and people on the new Western Pacific Railroad. This railroad later became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Banta was on the main railroad route that connected Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area. This route went through the Altamont Pass and Niles Canyon. However, things changed for Banta.
In the late 1870s, the railroad decided to build a new branch line. This line went from Benicia, California and Port Costa to Tracy Junction, instead of Banta. This decision led to the growth of Tracy as a city. Banta became a smaller village at the edge of the railroad's busy area. The new branch line also became part of the Southern Pacific.
Banta's original train station was taken down and moved to Benicia in 1902. It is still in Benicia today and is used as a visitor center.
Famous People from Banta
- Steve Perry, who was the lead singer of the famous rock band Journey, once lived in Banta. His rock group, Alien Project, started here in the mid-1970s.
- Richard Pombo, who used to be a Congressman, also lived in Banta.
Banta uses the ZIP Code 95304. Its phone numbers are in the area code 209.
Landmarks in Banta
Banta has some interesting historical places to see.
The Banta Inn
The Banta Inn was built in 1879. It is quite famous in the area. Some local people believe that the Inn is haunted!
The Lincoln Highway
For a short time, Banta was a stop on the Lincoln Highway. This was the very first road that went all the way across the United States, from the east to the west. In 1915, the highway's path was changed. It was rerouted to go through nearby Tracy instead of Banta. This road in Tracy was also known as U.S. Highway 50 for many years.
The J. Brichetto Building
The historic J. Brichetto Building is located at 5362 West G Street. It's on the corner of South 7th Street, right across from the Banta Inn. A local landowner named Giuseppe Brichetto built it in 1911. For many years, it was a general store where people could buy things. It also served as the town's post office.
