Kneeland, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kneeland
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 Kneeland
Location in California
Kneeland
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Humboldt County |
| Elevation | 2,129 ft (649 m) |
Kneeland (which used to be called Kneeland Prairie) is a small, unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It's located about 7.5 miles (12 km) south-southwest of Korbel. Kneeland sits at an elevation of 2,129 feet (649 meters) above sea level. The Kneeland Airport is also nearby.
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Exploring Kneeland's Location
Kneeland is found about 12 miles (19 km) east of Humboldt Bay. It's roughly the same distance from both Eureka and Arcata, which are about 14 miles (23 km) away. If you were to travel from San Francisco, Kneeland is about 283 miles (455 km) north.
Kneeland's Weather and Climate
Kneeland has a special type of weather called a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means that summers are warm and dry, but not super hot. The average monthly temperatures usually stay below 71.6°F (22°C). Winters are cool and rainy. Because Kneeland is at a higher elevation, it often gets light snowfall a few times a year, even though snow is rare at sea level in Humboldt County.
A Look Back: Kneeland's History
Before European settlers arrived, the area around Kneeland was home to several Native American groups. The Wiyot people, for example, used this land for fishing salmon and gathering roots. They also collected lamprey from the Eel River for food. The Wiyot people might have even used fire to help maintain the prairies around Kneeland, which helped with hunting.
When white settlers began to arrive after the California Gold Rush, the Wiyot population faced very difficult times. Many Wiyot people now live on the Table Bluff Reservation, which is about 16 miles (26 km) south of Eureka.
The area was first known as Kleizer's Prairie. But in 1852, when John A. Kneeland and his sister Mandala started a ranch there, it became known as Kneeland's Prairie.
As more settlers came, there were conflicts with the Native American groups. To help keep the peace, the U.S. Army set up stations nearby, like Camp Lyon (in 1862) and Camp Iaqua (in 1863). Soldiers would patrol the settlers' ranches. Later, the Homestead Act of 1862 allowed people to formally settle the land. Over time, smaller farms became larger ranches, often owned by important local families.
In the 1880s, some hotels were built for travelers. After World War II, a sawmill was built. This helped the local economy because logging, or cutting down trees for wood, became very important.
The Kneeland post office served the community for many years, from 1880 to 1891, and then again from 1892 until 2011.
The Kneeland Airport opened in 1964. It's a non-towered airport, meaning it doesn't have a control tower. It's useful for small planes that need to make emergency landings, especially when other airports at lower elevations are covered in fog. The airport also has a base for Cal Fire, which helps fight wildfires.
The Kneeland Volunteer Fire Department started in the early 1980s. Later, in 1990, people voted to create the Kneeland Fire Protection District. This district helps fund the fire department, which provides emergency services to over 100 square miles (259 sq km) of mountainous areas.
Kneeland's Local Economy
Kneeland is a rural community, meaning it's mostly countryside with no main downtown area. Important places include the Kneeland Elementary School, the Kneeland Airport, and the Kneeland Firehouse. Logging is still a big part of the economy in the surrounding timberland.
Many ranches and homes past the post office are also considered part of Kneeland. There's a cemetery about 8 miles (13 km) from the post office. On Memorial Day weekend, some locals gather there to clean up and remember the history of this small community.
Learning in Kneeland: Education
The Kneeland Prairie School District was created in 1869. The first classes were held in a teacher's home. Then, in 1873, a one-room schoolhouse was built. Other nearby schools, like Iaqua School and Lone Star, later joined with Kneeland School.
Today, Kneeland is home to the Kneeland Elementary School District. The current Kneeland School building was built in 1880. It serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school has been updated several times, in 1951 and again in the 1980s. Kneeland School is one of California's smallest public schools. In 2022, it had 33 students in grades K-8.
Who Lives in Kneeland: Demographics
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 244 people lived in Kneeland. About 51.6% of the population was female, and 48.4% was male. The average age of people in Kneeland was 41.5 years old.
Most of the people in Kneeland (95.9%) were White. A smaller number were Native American or Alaskan Native (1.6%), or from other races (0.9%). About 1.6% of the population identified with two or more races. Only a small part of the population (2.2%) was born outside the U.S. Of those, half were born in Guatemala.
For adults aged 18 and over, most had a high school education or more. About 8.6% had a high school diploma. Many had some college education (32.1%) or a bachelor's degree (39.0%). Some also had a graduate or professional degree (9.6%).
