Zayante, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zayante
census-designated place
Zayante, California Location in California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Santa Cruz
Area
• Total	2.82 sq mi (7.31 km2)
• Land	2.82 sq mi (7.31 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation	699 ft (213 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	729
• Density	258.5/sq mi (99.73/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
GNIS feature ID	2583188

Zayante is a small, quiet community located in Santa Cruz County, California. It's a special place nestled among the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains, right by Zayante Creek. In 2020, about 729 people called Zayante home. It sits at an elevation of about 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level. The name Zayante comes from the Ohlone language, meaning "at the heel."

Exploring Zayante: A California Community

Zayante's First People: The Ohlone Tribe

Long ago, the Sayante, a local tribe of the Ohlone people, lived in this area. They found shelter and food in the rich forests. The land provided them with acorns, fish from Lompico and Newell Creek, and small animals. This allowed them to live a peaceful life. They enjoyed gatherings, songs, and games.

Spanish Explorers and Mission Life

In 1769, the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá arrived in the area now known as the City of Santa Cruz. He named the river flowing from the Santa Cruz Mountains the San Lorenzo River, honoring Saint Lawrence. The hills above the river were named Santa Cruz, meaning "holy cross." In 1791, Father Fermin de Lasuen established Mission Santa Cruz, the twelfth mission in California.

The Spanish missionaries invited the Ohlone people to live at the mission. They offered food, shelter, and new skills like carpentry and farming. However, once at the mission, the Ohlone's traditional way of life changed greatly, and their freedom was limited. Sadly, many Native Americans also became ill from new diseases brought by the Europeans, which reduced their numbers.

In 1821, Mexico gained its independence from Spain. California then came under Mexican rule. In the 1830s, the Mexican government took control of Mission Santa Cruz and other California missions. These missions then began to decline. The last known Sayante person was a woman who lived by Zayante Creek. She passed away in 1934 and was buried among the redwoods in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Gold, Lumber, and Early Settlers

The Lompico area became part of Rancho Zayante. Mexico granted this land in 1834 to Joaquin Buelna. Later, in 1836, an American settler named Isaac Graham and his friend Henry Neale acquired Rancho Zayante.

In 1841, Graham and others built a sawmill on Zayante Creek. This was likely the first power sawmill in California. It was used to cut down trees from the Lompico area. While building the mill, Isaac Graham found a large gold nugget. In 1855, more gold was discovered along Zayante Creek, near what is now Henry Cowell State Park. Many people came to search for gold, and the "gold panning fever" spread.

By the 1850s, Felton became a center for the logging industry. The thick redwood forests in the area became a major export. Early loggers described the area as dense forests with large grizzly bears. They also faced challenges with transporting the timber. Eventually, wood-burning engines replaced oxen. Between 1890 and 1900, most of the area's trees were cut down. Today, the forest is slowly growing back on the steep slopes.

The Railroad Era and Zayante Today

After the logging era, the old Rancho Zayante land was divided and sold. This led to the creation of neighborhoods like Olympia, Zayante, and Lompico.

Zayante was a stop on the South Pacific Coast Railroad. This railroad ran from Oakland to Santa Cruz between 1880 and 1940. It mainly transported lumber and fruits. Zayante even had its own post office. The railroad was damaged by an earthquake in 1906 but was repaired and continued to operate until 1940. Later that year, State Route 17 was built away from Zayante.

Today, the area around Zayante is not very crowded. It has one small "corner" market called The Zayante Market. This market, established in 1947, is a reminder of earlier times.

Zayante's Location and Natural Beauty

According to the United States Census Bureau, Zayante covers an area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 square kilometers). All of this area is land. The community is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including Zayante Creek and the surrounding redwood forests.

Who Calls Zayante Home? Population Facts

Zayante first appeared as a census-designated place in the 2010 United States census. The 2020 United States census reported that Zayante had a population of 729 people. The community is home to people from many different backgrounds.

The population includes people of all ages. About 15.9% of the population was under 18 years old. About 21.3% were 65 years of age or older. The average age in Zayante was about 46.4 years.

See also

In Spanish: Zayante (California) para niños