Santa Margarita, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Margarita, California
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Downtown Santa Margarita, 2011
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 Santa Margarita, California
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Luis Obispo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.518 sq mi (1.341 km2) |
| • Land | 0.518 sq mi (1.341 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 1,014 ft (309 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 1,259 |
| • Density | 2,431/sq mi (938.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
93453
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| Area code(s) | 805 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2583128 |
Santa Margarita is a small community in San Luis Obispo County, California. Its name comes from the Spanish words for "Saint Margaret." It is an unincorporated community, meaning it is not officially a city. The United States Census Bureau also calls it a census-designated place (CDP) for counting people.
Santa Margarita was started in 1889. It is located near Cuesta Peak and San Luis Obispo. The town is along State Route 58. In 2010, about 1,259 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Santa Margarita's Past
How Santa Margarita Got Its Name
The town of Santa Margarita is named after Saint Margaret of Cortona. She was an Italian saint who lived from 1247 to 1297. The name was given to the area long before the town was built.
Early Life in the Valley
Long ago, around 6500 BCE, the Santa Margarita Valley was a special meeting place. It had streams that flowed all year and many acorns. Two Native American groups, the northern Chumash and southern Salinan, met here. In 1776, the de Anza Expedition traveled through the Cuesta Pass into the valley.
The Mission Connection
After Father Junipero Serra started Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, he saw a need for a smaller outpost. This outpost was called an assistancia (sub-mission). The Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia was founded around 1775. It was also named after Saint Margaret of Cortona. The old Spanish trail, El Camino Real, passed by it. This trail is now the town's main street.
The Rancho Days
In 1841, after Mexico became independent, Joaquin Estrada owned the Rancho Santa Margarita. He was famous for his "Rancho Hospitality." This meant he hosted big parties with rodeos, barbecues, and fiestas. Later, due to money problems, Estrada sold the Rancho to the Martin Murphy family in 1860.
Patrick Murphy worked hard to make the Rancho a successful farm again.
The Railroad Arrives
On April 20, 1889, the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Santa Margarita. This was a big deal! A "Grand Auction" was held to sell land for the new town. Santa Margarita became a busy place because the railroad ended there for a while. All goods had to be moved by stagecoach up and down the Cuesta Grade. The town had hotels, restaurants, and shops. When the railroad line was finished to San Luis Obispo in 1894, the town became quieter.
Boom and Quiet Times
Santa Margarita became lively again in the 1920s. This was a time known as the "Roaring Twenties." The El Camino Real was a main road for people exploring California. The town offered places to stay, gas stations, and restaurants.
The Great Depression in the 1930s was a hard time for the town. The government bought land from farmers to build a reservoir. This created Santa Margarita Lake to provide water for a military camp. The war ended before the work was finished. Today, Santa Margarita Lake is a fun County Recreation Area.
In 1956, Highway 101 was built around Santa Margarita. This made the town quiet once more. Today, it is a peaceful place. It is known as a community for artists and families.
Understanding Santa Margarita's Location
Where is Santa Margarita?
Santa Margarita is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. It is one of the most rural communities in San Luis Obispo County. This means it is a quiet area with lots of open space.
Water Sources and Postal Codes
Santa Margarita Lake is a big source of water for San Luis Obispo. It is located a few miles southeast of the town. The lake is on the upper part of the Salinas River. The town uses ZIP code 93453. Its phone area code is 805.
The United States Census Bureau says the town covers about 0.5 square miles. All of this area is land.
Who Lives in Santa Margarita?
Population Overview
In 2010, the population of Santa Margarita was 1,259 people. This means it is a small community. Most of the people living there are families.
Community Life
The town is known as a quiet place for families and artists. About 66% of the people own their homes. The rest rent their homes. The community has a mix of ages, including children and older adults.
See also
In Spanish: Santa Margarita (California) para niños
