Scandia, Solano County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scandia Elementary School |
|
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
100 Broadway Street
Travis A.F.B.
,
94535
United States
|
|
| Coordinates | 38°27′57″N 121°52′41″W / 38.46583°N 121.87806°W |
| Information | |
| School district | Travis Unified School District |
| Superintendent | Kate Wren Gavlak |
| Principal | Mark Pennington |
| Enrolment | 509 (2014) |
| Color(s) | Purple and Dark Green |
| Athletics conference | Solano County Athletics |
| Nickname | Snakes |
| Website | School website |
Scandia is a special area in Solano County, California. Its name means “Little Norway.” This name honors the people from Scandinavia who first settled here. They built their homes southeast of where Fairfield, California is today.
Contents
What is Scandia?
Scandia is a historic part of Solano County. It was named by early settlers from Scandinavia. These pioneers helped build the community. The area is known for its connection to these first families.
How Did Scandia Get Its Name?
The name "Scandia" means "Little Norway." It was chosen because many of the first families to settle here came from Norway and other Scandinavian countries. They brought their culture and traditions with them.
The History of Scandia
The story of Scandia began in 1852. Three Norwegian sailors, Carl H. Thompson, his brother Dan, and Steve Larsen, bought a small boat. They planned to travel up the Sacramento River. Their goal was to find gold in the Mother Lode region.
The First Settlers Arrive
However, they missed the main river channel. They ended up in Montezuma Slough. This area is a few miles south of today's Travis Air Force Base. They left their boat and walked to Calaveras County. After two years, they found little gold.
Building a New Home
The three Norwegians returned to Montezuma Slough. They built a small house there. They started raising sheep and cattle. More people from Scandinavia soon joined them. This is how the area became known as "Little Norway" or Scandia. It was east and south of Denverton. Today, the Western Railway Museum is near Denverton, California.
Scandia During Wartime
When Travis Air Force Base was being built, the area was still called Scandia. A newspaper, the Solano Republican, mentioned it. On July 2, 1942, an article talked about the construction. A week later, the paper reported that the "great 1,600 acre area... in the Scandia Section is today teaming with activity." This shows how important the name Scandia was to the area.
Scandia Elementary School
Scandia Elementary School is located on Travis Air Force Base. The school's name was chosen to remember the brave pioneers. These pioneers dreamed of building a great community here. The school honors their vision.
When Did the School Open?
The school officially opened on April 21, 1970. It was open for a short time at the end of that school year. Its first full school year was 1970-1971. The school site is about 6-acre (24,000 m2). It first had 12 classrooms for students in first through third grade.
Vanden High School
Vanden High School is right next to Travis Air Force Base. It was built to serve students from the base. The school was named after a town that was planned for the area. This town was going to be called Vanden.
The Vanden Family Legacy
A Scandinavian family named Vanden settled here in the mid-1880s. They opened a store. They even made plans for a town and a train station. However, these plans never happened. A post office did operate there from 1897 to 1899.
Why the Name Vanden?
The school board wanted to honor this early pioneer family. They chose the Vanden name because of its historical importance. The Class of 1965 was the first group to graduate from Vanden High School. The school's mascot is the Vikings. This also connects to the area's Scandinavian heritage.
