Estelle, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Estelle
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 Estelle
Location in California
Estelle
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Imperial County |
| Elevation | -177 ft (-54 m) |
Estelle is a small place in Imperial County, California. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's called an "unincorporated community." This means it's part of the larger county area.
Estelle is located about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of a town called Calipatria. One really interesting thing about Estelle is its elevation. It sits 177 feet (54 meters) below sea level! This makes it one of the lowest places in the United States.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Estelle is a group of homes or buildings that are not part of an official city or town. They don't have their own mayor or city council. Instead, the local county government manages services for them.
This means things like roads, police, and fire services are handled by Imperial County. Many small places across the United States are unincorporated communities. They often grow up around a specific feature, like a railroad stop.
Life Below Sea Level
Estelle's location below sea level is quite unique. It's in a region known as the Imperial Valley. This valley is part of a larger area called the Salton Trough. The Salton Trough is a big dip in the land.
Being below sea level means the land is lower than the ocean's surface. This area was once covered by ancient seas. Over time, the water dried up, leaving behind a low-lying desert. The nearby Salton Sea is also a large body of water in this low-lying region.
The Role of Railroads
Estelle is located along the Southern Pacific Railroad. Railroads were very important in the past for connecting communities. They helped transport goods and people across long distances.
Even small communities like Estelle often grew up near railroad lines. The railroad would bring supplies and allow local products to be shipped out. This made railroads vital for the development of many areas in California.
