Leona Valley, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leona Valley, California
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Location of Leona Valley in Los Angeles County, California.
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 Leona Valley, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County |  Los Angeles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 18.578 sq mi (48.117 km2) |
| • Land | 18.551 sq mi (48.046 km2) |
| • Water | 0.027 sq mi (0.071 km2) 0.15% |
| Elevation | 3,491 ft (1,064 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,555 |
| • Density | 83.701/sq mi (32.317/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
93551
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| Area code(s) | 661 |
| FIPS code | 06-41208 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583056 |
Leona Valley is a small community in northern Los Angeles County, California. Its name, "Leona," means "Lioness" in Spanish. It is located between the Sierra Pelona Mountains and the Mojave Desert. The community is just west of Palmdale.
Leona Valley is well-known for its farming. Farmers here grow many cherries and grapes for wine. Each year, the town holds the Leona Valley Cherry Festival. This festival celebrates the area's rich farming history.
Contents
Exploring Leona Valley's Location
Leona Valley is about 10 miles (16 km) west of the Palmdale Civic Center. It is found in a long, narrow valley that shares its name. This valley is separated from the Antelope Valley by a ridge called Ritter Ridge. This ridge is part of the San Andreas Fault.
The valley itself is about 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and 25 miles (40 km) long. Other towns like Lake Hughes and Lake Elizabeth are also in this geographic valley. The local ZIP code for Leona Valley is 93551. The phone area code is 661.
A Look at Leona Valley's Past
The land of Leona Valley was once home to the Tataviam Native Americans. Later, in the late 1700s, immigrants from Spain and Mexico settled here. They were mainly interested in starting cattle ranches.
In the 1830s, these large ranches began to be divided into smaller farms. Farmers from Germany, France, and Nebraska moved in. The Ritter family started one of the first wineries in the area. However, it closed during the U.S. Prohibition period in the early 1900s. Prohibition was a time when making and selling alcohol was against the law.
The Leona Valley Ranch and Its Development
In 1901, Frank D. Hall bought a large piece of land called St. Anthony Ranch. He renamed it Leona Valley Ranch. He first tried to start a dairy farm there. This ranch covered most of the land west of Bouquet Canyon Road.
The dairy farm did not work out. So, in 1918, Hall began to divide the Leona Valley Ranch into smaller plots. The first plots had roads and water access. One early sale was at the corner of Elizabeth Lake Road and 90th Street West. The Nolenberger family built a store and gas station there in 1924. Today, that building is the Hemme Hay and Feed store.
In 1927, Frank Hall started a company called Farm Home Builders. This company helped develop the next phase of the ranch. They built new roads and a water system. The Great Depression slowed down sales. Most of the plots were not sold until the 1940s. Many of these old farm plots have since been divided again. Today, Leona Valley still has a spacious and beautiful feel.
Growing Grapes in Leona Valley
Leona Valley is becoming known for its viticulture. This is the science and practice of growing grapes, especially for making wine. In 2001, the Reynolds Family Estate planted vineyards here. They started the Leona Valley Winery.
This winery helped create a new wine region called the Leona Valley AVA. AVA stands for "American Viticulture Area." It is a special area recognized for its grape-growing conditions. There is also a new rule in Los Angeles County that helps promote wineries and tasting rooms in the area.
See also
In Spanish: Leona Valley para niños
