Mankas Corner, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mankas Corner
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A store in Mankas Corner
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 Mankas Corner
Location in California
Mankas Corner
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Solano County |
| Elevation | 128 ft (39 m) |
Mankas Corner is a small, unincorporated community located in Solano County, California. It's nestled within the Suisun Valley AVA, which is a special area known for growing grapes for wine. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but no local government of its own.
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What is Mankas Corner Like?
Farming and Climate
The land around Mankas Corner is mostly used for farming. Farmers here mainly grow grapes for wine and olives. They also grow other important crops like wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, and soybeans.
The area has a semi-coastal Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. It's similar to the weather you'd find in countries around the Mediterranean Sea.
Landscape and Views
Mankas Corner sits at a fairly low elevation of about 39 meters (128 feet) above sea level. The land is mostly flat. However, there are mountains on three sides, creating beautiful views.
You can see some famous landmarks from Mankas Corner. To the south, across the Suisun Bay estuary (where a river meets the sea), you can spot Mt. Diablo. To the west, you'll see the two peaks of Twin Sisters. These are the highest points in the Howell Mountains. To the east, the Vaca Mountains form a noticeable ridge called the Blue Ridge.
The History of Mankas Corner
How Mankas Corner Got Its Name
Mankas Corner is named after a man named Christley Manka (1814–1888). In 1855, he bought part of a store and tavern in this location. The store was at an important crossroads.
A Busy Crossroads
Back then, this spot was where two main roads met. One was the stagecoach route that went from Benicia to Suisun City. The other was the main road between Suisun and the Berryessa Valley.
The Berryessa Valley was a huge wheat-producing area. During harvest, giant wagons pulled by many horses used the Suisun-Berryessa road. They hauled wheat to the port in Suisun City to be shipped out. This road was also part of the main path from San Francisco to the Sulphur Bank quicksilver mine in Knoxville. This made Christley Manka's store a very busy and important place.
A Community Hub
By 1859, Christley Manka owned the entire store. Over the next 40 years, his store became a popular gathering place for the community. It had a post office, a blacksmith shop, and a Masonic Hall nearby.
Today, a restaurant stands where the old store used to be. There are also other businesses and a few homes in the area.
