Stege, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stege
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Former unincorporated community
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Stege from a kite in 1930
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 Stege
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Contra Costa County |
| Cities | El Cerrito and Richmond |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| GNIS ID | 1659865 |
| FIPS code | 06-74046 |
Stege was a small community in California, founded in 1876. It was located in western Contra Costa County, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it was a settlement that wasn't officially a city or town with its own local government.
Today, Stege is no longer a separate place. It has become part of the nearby cities of Richmond and El Cerrito, California. The area where Stege once stood is now known as the Richmond Annex. It is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south-southeast of downtown Richmond, at an elevation of 23 feet (7 meters).
Founding Stege: A Farm Town's Beginning
Stege started as a farm town. It was founded by Wilhelmina "Minna" Boehm Quilfelt and her fourth husband, Richard Stege. Minna Quilfelt bought the land for the community in April 1853 from Victor Castro. By 1879, she owned a large area of about 1,000 acres (400 hectares).
Richard Stege moved to the area shortly after he married Minna on January 12, 1867. The town grew around their ranch. It had a general store where people could buy supplies and a stop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. This railroad stop was important for moving goods and people.
What Did People Do in Stege?
The economy of Stege was mostly based on farming. People raised animals on ranches and grew crops. There was also some mining in the area. Factories made chemicals and explosives, which were important for industries at the time.
Interestingly, Stege was also known for frog farming. This meant raising frogs to be eaten, which was a unique part of the town's economy.
Stege's Post Office and Legacy
Stege had its own post office, which operated for many years, from 1889 to 1935. This shows that it was an active community for a long time.
Even though Stege is no longer a separate town, its name lives on. The Stege Sanitary District was created in 1913. This special organization still provides sewer services for the areas of El Cerrito, Kensington, and the Richmond Annex today. This district helps keep the environment clean for thousands of people.
