La Porte, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Porte
|
|
|---|---|
Location in Plumas County and the state of California
|
|
 La Porte, California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Plumas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.457 sq mi (11.544 km2) |
| • Land | 4.457 sq mi (11.544 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 4,980 ft (1,518 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 65 |
| • Density | 14.58/sq mi (5.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
95981
|
| Area code(s) | 530 |
| FIPS code | 06-40312 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0262254 |
La Porte is a small community in Plumas County, California, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for collecting population data. In 2020, about 65 people lived there. Before 1857, this town was called Rabbit Creek.
Contents
Where is La Porte Located?
La Porte is found at these coordinates: 39°40′55″N 120°59′5″W / 39.68194°N 120.98472°W. It covers an area of about 4.5 square miles (11.5 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
Discover Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Close to La Porte, you'll find the Little Grass Valley Reservoir. This reservoir was finished in 1961. It's a very popular spot for water sports and outdoor fun during the summer. You can also enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails around the lake.
What's the Weather Like in La Porte?
La Porte has a climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Here's a quick look at the average temperatures and precipitation:
| Climate data for La Porte, California | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 44.8 (7.1) |
45.9 (7.7) |
49.7 (9.8) |
55.0 (12.8) |
63.9 (17.7) |
72.8 (22.7) |
81.5 (27.5) |
81.2 (27.3) |
75.9 (24.4) |
64.1 (17.8) |
51.8 (11.0) |
43.8 (6.6) |
60.9 (16.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.7 (−2.4) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
28.7 (−1.8) |
32.7 (0.4) |
39.5 (4.2) |
47.3 (8.5) |
55.8 (13.2) |
54.5 (12.5) |
48.8 (9.3) |
41.0 (5.0) |
33.4 (0.8) |
27.6 (−2.4) |
38.7 (3.7) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 14.31 (363) |
13.08 (332) |
12.18 (309) |
8.03 (204) |
4.90 (124) |
1.48 (38) |
0.07 (1.8) |
0.24 (6.1) |
1.09 (28) |
5.31 (135) |
9.88 (251) |
17.13 (435) |
87.7 (2,226.9) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 44.4 (113) |
41.8 (106) |
46.8 (119) |
13.5 (34) |
4.4 (11) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
3.6 (9.1) |
13.5 (34) |
34.4 (87) |
202.5 (513.35) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Understanding La Porte's Population Changes
The number of people living in La Porte has changed a lot over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 0 | — | |
| 1860 | 998 | — | |
| 1870 | 640 | −35.9% | |
| 1880 | 400 | −37.5% | |
| 1890 | 214 | −46.5% | |
| 1930 | 45 | — | |
| 1940 | 11 | −75.6% | |
| 1950 | 25 | 127.3% | |
| 1960 | 27 | 8.0% | |
| 1970 | 35 | 29.6% | |
| 2000 | 43 | — | |
| 2010 | 26 | −39.5% | |
| 2020 | 65 | 150.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, La Porte had a population of 65 people. There were 18 households, and 135 housing units in the area.
Population in 2010
According to the 2010 census, La Porte had 26 residents. Most of the people were White (92%). There was also a small percentage of African American and Native American residents.
Population in 2000
In the 2000 census, 43 people lived in La Porte. The population density was about 9.6 people per square mile. Most residents (95%) were White.
A Look Back: La Porte's History
La Porte has an interesting history, especially with how its location changed between counties.
- In 1850, when California became a state, La Porte was part of Yuba County.
- Then, in 1852, Sierra County was created, and La Porte became part of it.
- Finally, in 1866, La Porte was moved to Plumas County, where it has been ever since.
The town was originally called Rabbit Creek until 1857. Gold was discovered in Rabbit Creek in 1850. This made La Porte a very busy center for gold mining and trade during the exciting California Gold Rush. Sadly, the town faced many challenges, being largely destroyed by fires in 1855, 1861, 1868, 1871, and 1905.
The First Building: Rabbit Creek House
The Rabbit Creek Hotel, also known as Rabbit Creek House, was built in 1852 by Eli S. Lester. This was the very first building in Rabbit Creek. It served as a Hotel, a trading post where people could buy and sell goods, and it had two barns for horses. Because of its importance during the Gold Rush, the site of the Rabbit Creek Hotel is now a California Historical Landmark (No. 213). You can find it at the north corner of Main Street and Church Streets.
A Moment During the Civil War
During the first year of the Civil War, some people in La Porte wanted to show their support for the Southern states. They put up a Palmetto Flag near Dockery's Saloon. This flag was described as a "piece of white cotton cloth, ornamented with a charcoal sketch of a palmetto tree and black snake." However, the flag was taken down soon after it was put up.
Exploring Nearby Ghost Towns
About 12 miles (19 km) from La Porte, you can find the remains of old gold mining towns.
- Howland Flat: This former gold mining town is located in nearby Sierra County, accessible via Port Wine Ridge Road.
- Grass Flat: Also on Port Wine Ridge Road, this ghost town was a site of huge hydraulic mining operations during the Gold Rush. The landscape still shows the dramatic effects of this mining.
- Poker Flat: This ghost town is on the Poker Flat OHV trail in the Plumas National Forest. The last building standing, the 1886 Scott House, unfortunately collapsed during the winter of 2014–15.
The Excitement of Sierra Longboard Racing
Did you know that Skiing might have started in Rabbit Creek as early as 1851? People like Hamilton Ward and James Murray used improvised barrel staves to ski! In 1866, the Alturas Snowshoe Club was created in La Porte. This club organized exciting longboard racing tournaments in nearby areas.
La Porte is recognized as a Pioneer Ski Area of America by California Historical Landmarks 723 and 724. A special sign on Lexington Hill, placed by the Plumas National Forest Service, marks the beginning of organized downhill ski racing in the western part of the world.
Who are Some Famous People from La Porte?
- Charlotte Ah Tye Chang (1873-1972): A Chinese-American activist who was born in La Porte.
- Claire Cayot O'Rourke: A supercentenarian (someone who lives to be 110 or older) and the first woman to hold a public office in California.
See also
In Spanish: La Porte (California) para niños
