Soledad, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soledad, California
City
City of Soledad
Clockwise: Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad; Soledad High School; Mission Soledad.
Location in Monterey County and the state of California
Soledad, California Location in the United States Show map of the United States Soledad, California Location in California Show map of California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Monterey
Incorporated	March 9, 1921
Area
• Total	4.65 sq mi (12.0 km2)
• Land	4.46 sq mi (11.6 km2)
• Water	0.19 sq mi (0.5 km2)  4.09%
Elevation	190 ft (58 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	24,925
• Density	5,588.6/sq mi (2,157.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	93960
Area code	831
FIPS code	06-72520

Soledad is a city in Monterey County, California, United States. It is located in the Salinas Valley, about 21 miles (34 km) southeast of Salinas, which is the main city of the county. In 2020, Soledad had a population of 24,925 people.

The city's story began with Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, a historic Spanish mission founded in 1791. Later, in the 1860s, a woman named Catalina Munrás started to develop the town of Soledad. It officially became a city in 1921. Today, Soledad is a popular place for tourists. People visit the restored mission, the nearby Pinnacles National Park, and the many vineyards in the Monterey wine region.

History of Soledad

Early Inhabitants and Mission Founding

The Spanish founded Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad in 1791, led by Fermín Lasuén.

For thousands of years, the Chalon tribe of the Ohlone nation lived in the area where Soledad is now. They were indigenous Californians. The Paraíso Hot Springs, located west of Soledad, were used by the Chalon for a very long time.

Soledad began as a settlement in 1791. This is when the Spanish founded Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. Padre Fermín de Lasuén led its establishment. Besides the Spanish and Chalon people, the Esselen and Yokuts people also came to live in Soledad. Unlike many other missions in California, Soledad did not immediately grow into a town outside the mission walls.

Catalina Munrás and Town Development

Catalina Munrás helped start the town of Soledad on Rancho San Vicente.

A famous artist named Esteban Munrás arrived in the area in the 1820s with his wife, Catalina Munrás. In 1835, he was given land called Rancho San Vicente by Governor José Castro. However, Esteban and his family lived in Monterey until he passed away in 1850. Before he died, Munrás told his wife Catalina that she should not sell Rancho San Vicente. Instead, he wanted her to keep it and build a town there when the time was right.

Catalina Munrás started to divide the rancho into smaller pieces and develop a town in the 1860s. She gave land for a school, a church, and a cemetery to be built. Later, in 1872, she allowed the Southern Pacific Railroad to build tracks through her land. This led to a train station being built in Soledad, which helped the town become an important farming area.

The Los Coches Adobe, built in the 1840s, became a popular stopping point. Travelers on Southern Pacific trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco would often stop there.

The Soledad post office opened in 1869. On February 6, 1876, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors officially made Soledad a town. In 1921, Soledad became an incorporated city.

In 1898, Fort Romie was founded just west of Soledad. Today, it is part of the Soledad community. In the early 1900s, the Paraíso Hot Springs became a popular resort for people traveling by train.

Soledad is also mentioned in John Steinbeck's 1937 novel Of Mice and Men. This story is about two friends who work on a farm in the Salinas Valley.

Geography and Climate

Where is Soledad Located?

Pinnacles National Park

Soledad is in the middle of Monterey County. It is about 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Gonzales and 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Greenfield. You can reach both cities using U.S. Route 101.

The city covers about 4.65 square miles (12.04 km²). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The Salinas River flows northwest past the southern edge of the city.

Soledad is also about 10 miles (16 km) by road southwest of Pinnacles National Park. This park is nestled among the nearby Gabilan Range mountains.

Soledad's Weather

Soledad has a type of weather called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures do not go above 71.6 °F (22 °C).

Population and People

Soledad's Population in 2000

Inside the Catholic church at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.

In 2000, Soledad had 11,263 people living there. About 60.2% of households had children under 18. The average household had 4.54 people.

The population was quite young, with 36.7% of people under 18. The median age was 25 years old. For every 100 females, there were about 108 males.

Most of the population, 86.82%, identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Soledad's Population in 2010

Soledad is known as the "Gateway to the Pinnacles" because it is close to Pinnacles National Park.

By 2010, Soledad's population grew to 25,738 people. About 60.7% of the population lived in homes. The average household size was 4.27 people.

The population was spread out in age groups. About 22.0% were under 18, and 39.3% were between 25 and 44 years old. The median age was 34.9 years.

In terms of race, 49.1% were White, and 31.8% were from other races. A large portion, 71.1%, were Hispanic or Latino.

The historic Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is a California Historical Landmark.

Most households, 67.4%, had children under 18. About 65.1% were married couples living together.

Economy and Jobs

Soledad is in the middle of a very productive farming area. This region is sometimes called the "Salad Bowl of the World." Many large agricultural companies work here, such as Dole Fresh Vegetables and Taylor Farms.

Farming in Soledad

Farms in Soledad

The land around Soledad is known as "Prime Farmland." This means the soil is excellent for growing crops. Because of this, protecting farmland is very important for the city. Farming is a key part of Soledad's economy. The climate also allows crops to be grown all year round.

Dole Food Company has a large plant in Soledad. It opened in 1994 and is known as the "world's largest pre-cut salad plant."

Since 2007, Soledad has also had a weekly Farmers' Market on Soledad Street.

Wine Production

Soledad is a big wine producer, as part of the Monterey wine region.

Soledad is in one of California's main wine grape-growing areas. There are over twenty vineyards and wineries within 30 miles (48 km) of the city. Many of these places have tasting rooms where you can try and buy different wines. Some well-known vineyards and wineries nearby include Chalone, Scheid, and Hahn Estate.

Community and Schools

Local Media and Safety

Television service for Soledad comes from the Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz area. Local newspapers include the Monterey County Herald, Salinas Californian, and Soledad Bee.

In a 2013 report, Soledad was ranked as California's eleventh-safest city. The report praised Soledad for its strong community spirit and high number of volunteers. In 2014, another report rated Soledad as the ninety-fourth-safest city out of one hundred cities nationwide.

Schools in Soledad

Soledad High School.

Most of Soledad is served by the Soledad Unified School District. Some parts of the area outside the city are served by the Mission Union School District.

Soledad High School is the main high school in the area. There is also Pinnacles High School, which is a continuation school. Soledad Main Street Middle School is the only middle school in the city. There are five different elementary schools: Rose Ferrero, Jack Franscioni, Gabilan, Frank Ledesma, and San Vicente Elementary Schools.

Transportation

Soledad is located on U.S. Route 101. You can get on and off the highway using exit ramps on Front Street, at both the north and south ends of town. Soledad is also the western end of California State Route 146, which connects the city to Pinnacles National Park.

The city is served by the Monterey-Salinas Transit bus line 23, which travels between Salinas and King City. Bus stops in Soledad are located at the correctional facility, Front & San Vicente, and Monterey & East.

Images for kids

See also

In Spanish: Soledad (California) para niños