Richvale, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richvale
|
|
|---|---|
 Richvale
Location in California
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Butte County |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.927 sq mi (2.401 km2) |
| • Land | 0.927 sq mi (2.401 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 108 ft (33 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 234 |
| • Density | 252.4/sq mi (97.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95974
|
| Area code(s) | 530 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 231556; 2612486 |
Richvale is a small community in Butte County, California, USA. It is located south of Chico and west of Oroville. The area is known for growing rice, which is watered using the Oroville Dam on the Feather River. Some farmers in Richvale also practice organic farming, which means they grow crops without using artificial chemicals.
Richvale is also known by other names like Richland, Silbys Switch, and Silsby. In 2010, about 244 people lived there. The community is about 108 feet (33 meters) above sea level. Its ZIP Code is 95974, and its area code is 530.
Contents
The History of Richvale
How Richvale Got Its Name
The name "Richvale" means "fertile valley," suggesting rich soil. However, a story says that the name was first used by people who were trying to trick farmers. They wanted to sell land that wasn't very good for farming. In 1909, a company called Richvale Land Company changed the area's name from Selby Switch to Richvale. The community officially started in 1911, and a post office opened that same year.
Early Settlers and Challenges
Many farmers from states like Nebraska and Kansas in the Midwest were shown beautiful pictures of California's Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley. They bought land in Richvale for very high prices. But when they arrived, they found that the soil near Richvale was mostly clay, not the rich, fertile soil they expected. Locals even called it "adobe" soil because it was so heavy and sticky.
This clay soil was not good for many crops like grapes or fruit trees. Some farmers saw the soil and decided to go back home. But others chose to stay and work hard to build a new life.
Building a Community from the Ground Up
The people who stayed in Richvale worked together to create a community. They built a post office in 1912, and then roads. They also set up an irrigation and drainage system to manage water. A hotel opened in 1913, followed by a church in the same year. In 1914, they started a cooperative called the Butte County Rice Growers Association, which is still active today. A school was built in 1914, and a grocery store opened in 1920.
Later, during the Great Depression, more farmers came to Richvale. These were farmers from the Dust Bowl region, who were looking for new opportunities.
The Rise of Rice Farming
Even though the soil was mostly clay, it turned out to be perfect for growing rice. Clay soil holds water well, which is important for rice paddies. The area also had plenty of water from the Feather River for irrigation.
Because of rice farming, Richvale truly lived up to its name. The hard work of the early settlers and their families led to a successful and abundant life. In 2005, the Butte County Rice Growers Association helped farm over 33,500 acres (135.6 square kilometers) of rice.
A book called "Richvale: A Legacy of Courage, Dedication, and Perseverance" was recently written by the Richvale Writing Group. It shares the history of the town and includes many old photographs.
Richvale's Population
Richvale was first counted as a census-designated place in the 2010 U.S. Census. In 2010, the population was 244 people. By 2020, the population was 234.
Most people in Richvale live in families. In 2010, there were 89 households. About 32.6% of these households had children under 18 living in them. The average household had about 2.74 people.
The population includes people of different ages. In 2010, about 26.2% of the people were under 18 years old. About 18% of the people were 65 years or older. The average age in Richvale was 40.5 years.
Places to Visit in Richvale
Richvale has several important places that serve the community:
- Richvale Airport, located at 1764 Richvale Highway
- Richvale Cafe, found at 5285 Midway
- Richvale Community Church, at 5219 Church Street
- Richvale Elementary School, at 5236 Church Street
- Richvale Fire Department, at 1236 School Street
- Richvale Post Office (ZIP Code 95974), at 5205 Church Street
- Lundberg Family Farms, a well-known farm at 5311 Midway
- Butte County Rice Growers Association, at 1193 Richvale Highway
Notable People from Richvale
- Doug LaMalfa is a politician who represents California's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He is a U.S. Representative.
See also
In Spanish: Richvale (California) para niños
