Dos Palos, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dos Palos
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| City of Dos Palos | ||
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Aerial view of Dos Palos
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Location in Merced County, California
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 Dos Palos
Location in California
Dos Palos
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  California |
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| County | Merced | |
| Incorporated | May 24, 1935 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.35 sq mi (3.5 km2) | |
| • Land | 1.35 sq mi (3.5 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0 km2) 0% | |
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,798 | |
| • Density | 4,298.00/sq mi (1,659.47/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) | |
| ZIP code |
93620
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| Area code | 209 | |
| FIPS code | 06-19612 | |
| GNIS feature IDs | 277604, 2410348 | |
Dos Palos is a city in Merced County, California, United States. Its name comes from the Spanish words meaning "Two Timbers" or "Two Poles." The city is located about 27 miles (43 km) south of Merced, which is the county seat. It sits at an elevation of 118 feet (36 meters) above sea level. In 2020, the population of Dos Palos was 5,798 people. This was an increase from 4,950 people in 2010.
Contents
Where is Dos Palos?
Dos Palos is found in the southern part of Merced County. Its exact location is 36°59′N 120°38′W / 36.983°N 120.633°W. It is about 17 miles (27 km) southeast of Los Banos. It is also about 40 miles (64 km) by road west of Madera. The city covers an area of 1.35 square miles (3.5 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
A Look at Dos Palos' History
The Name "Dos Palos"
The name "Dos Palos" has an interesting origin. In the 1820s, an explorer named Gabriel Moraga was traveling through the San Joaquin Valley. He saw two large, lone poplar trees. He called them "Dos Palos," which means "Two Timbers" in Spanish. In the 1800s, "palos" was used to describe tall, pole-like trees. Today, it often translates to "sticks." These "Two Trees" were even used as a boundary marker for an old Mexican land grant called "Rancho Sanjon de Santa Rita."
How the City Started
In 1891, a man named Bernhard Marks worked with a cattle rancher named Henry Miller. They decided to create a small town nearby. They named it "Dos Palos Colony." Many settlers from Iowa and Nebraska came to live there.
However, the settlers had trouble finding good water. Many of them left in 1892. Marks then convinced Miller to start another town. This new town was about two miles away. It was built on land that wasn't good for farming. This new place was called "Colony Center."
Changing Names
Over time, the names of these towns changed. In 1906, "Dos Palos Colony" became South Dos Palos. "Colony Center" was then renamed Dos Palos. For a short time, the Post Office spelled it as one word, "Dospalos," but this was quickly corrected.
Some of the original families from the colony still live in the area today. Many other people have also moved to Dos Palos over the years. The city officially became an incorporated city in 1935.
County Boundary Change
On January 1, 2008, a large area around Dos Palos changed counties. About 6.52 square miles (16.89 square kilometers) of land moved from Fresno County to Merced County.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 978 | — | |
| 1950 | 1,394 | 42.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,028 | 45.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,496 | 23.1% | |
| 1980 | 3,121 | 25.0% | |
| 1990 | 4,196 | 34.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,581 | 9.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,950 | 8.1% | |
| 2020 | 5,798 | 17.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Dos Palos has grown steadily over the years. In 2010, there were 4,950 people living in the city. By 2020, this number had increased to 5,798. The city has a mix of different backgrounds, with many people identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Famous People from Dos Palos
Dos Palos has been home to several notable individuals:
- Ana Isabel de Alba – A respected lawyer and judge.
- Myron Joseph Cotta – A bishop in the Diocese of Stockton.
- Malcolm "Ike" Frankian – An NFL football player for the New York Giants. He also coached the Los Angeles Bulldogs and at Dos Palos High School.
- Dave Henderson – A Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder. He played for the Oakland A's and four other teams.
- Shawn Hillegas – An MLB baseball pitcher. He played for the Oakland A's and four other teams.
- Cody Martin – An MLB pitcher. He played for the Oakland A's and two other teams.
See also
In Spanish: Dos Palos para niños
