California Junction, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
California Junction, Iowa
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Location of Iowa in the United States
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 California Junction, Iowa
Location in Iowa
California Junction, Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Harrison |
| Township | Cincinnati |
| Founded | September 9, 1880 |
| Founded by | Missouri Valley Land Company |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2) |
| • Land | 0.46 sq mi (1.19 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,007 ft (307 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 74 |
| • Density | 160.52/sq mi (62.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
51555
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| Area code(s) | 712 |
| FIPS code | 19-09910 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583481 |
California Junction is a small community in Harrison County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's also a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means the United States Census Bureau counts its population for statistics.
This community is located right where two important railroad lines used to meet. In 2010, about 85 people lived there. By 2020, the population was 74.
Contents
Where is California Junction?
California Junction is in the southwestern part of Harrison County. It's about one mile northeast of the border between Iowa and Nebraska. This border follows a lake called De Soto Lake, which used to be part of the Missouri River.
U.S. Route 30 passes just south of the community. This road can take you east to Interstate 29 and the town of Missouri Valley. If you go west, you'll reach Blair, Nebraska.
The United States Census Bureau says that California Junction covers about 0.46 square miles (1.19 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within its boundaries.
Who Lives in California Junction?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 74 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 85 people living in California Junction. These people made up 32 households, with 26 of them being families. The area had about 184 people per square mile.
Most of the people living there, about 98.82%, were White. A small number, 1.18%, were from two or more races. About 4.7% of the total population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
A Look Back: History of California Junction
The story of California Junction began with older settlements like Yazoo and the towns of Cincinnati and Parrish City. These were founded in the 1850s. Yazoo Landing was a place where people crossed the Missouri River by ferry.
The current community of California Junction started in 1880. This was after the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad was built through the area. A famous railroad builder named John I. Blair thought this spot would be a key stop for travelers heading west. He gave the town its name, California Junction.
In 1883, the name was shortened to "California" to avoid confusion with another place called Columbia Junction. It kept this shorter name until at least 1915.
In 1879, California Junction had about 200 residents. By 1902, the population was 76. In 1903, a business called the California Grain and Lumber Company was started there. By 1915, the community had important buildings like a town hall, a high school, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a post office, two churches, and a train station.
In 1922, a deep well was drilled nearby to look for oil. No oil was found, but the well still leaks water today. A marshy area around this well is a local landmark. You can see it north of town on Fremont Avenue.
The population of California Junction was 84 in 1925 and 100 in 1940. Today, a grain elevator is still in operation there, run by the United Western Coop.
Learning in California Junction
Students in California Junction and the nearby rural areas attend schools in the Missouri Valley Community School District.
Famous People from California Junction
- James F. O'Connor (1878–1945) – He was a U.S. Representative for the state of Montana.
See also
In Spanish: California Junction (Iowa) para niños
