Spence, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Spence
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 Spence
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Monterey County |
| Elevation | 82 ft (25 m) |
Spence is a small, quiet place in Monterey County, California. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's managed by the larger county government.
About Spence
Spence is located in a beautiful area called the Salinas Valley. This valley is famous for its rich farmland and agricultural history. The community sits about 7 miles (11 kilometers) southeast of a bigger city called Salinas.
Location and Elevation
Spence is quite low to the ground, with an elevation of 82 feet (25 meters) above sea level. It's also right along the path of the historic Southern Pacific Railroad. This railroad played a huge role in connecting communities and moving goods across California many years ago.
How Spence Got Its Name
The community of Spence was named after an important person in the area's history: David Spence. He was the owner of a large piece of land called the Rancho Encinal y Buena Esperanza. This was a "Mexican land grant," which means it was land given to people by the Mexican government before California became part of the United States. The railroad decided to build its station right on David Spence's land, and that's how the community got its name!
