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Alturas
Modoc County, California
ZipCodes
96101
Motto
Where the West Still Lives
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Alturas was originally occupied by a branch of the Pit River or Achomawe Tribe of Native Americans before white men arrived. The village was known as Kosealekte. The valley is a prehistoric lake bed which formed from alternating erosion and rebuilding of the volcanic flows of the Modoc Plateau which surrounds all but the northeast side of it. The northeast edge of the valley is at the foot of the Warner Mountains, which is the most western range of the Nevada Basin, about ten miles east of town.
The city's limit is bordered on the south by the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, where natural wetlands have been preserved. A new vista point has been built along the highway a quarter mile from town to allow viewing of deer, antelope, Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, and other inhabitants. Animals don't understand much about man's arbitrary boundaries and occasionally wander up Main Street.
Until 1874, Alturas was known as Dorris Bridge (named for James Dorris, the town's first white settler). He built a simple wooden bridge across the creek at the east end of town. He later erected a house that became a stopover for travelers and the beginning of Modoc County. The city is a marketing center for local ranchers who raise livestock, potatoes and alfalfa.
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Modoc County Museum
600 S. Main St.
Alturas, CA 96101-4117
Phone: (916) 233-2944 or 916-233-6328
Alturas Railroad Museum
2000 Rail Road
Alturas CA 96101
Phone: 530-233-2512
FAX: 530-233-3559
The Alturas Railroad Museum was established in 1998. The museum is operated by the City of Alturas and the members of the Warner Mountain Gandy Dancers.
Take a look at photos of Alturas.
California Pines, a 20 acre mountain community of about 20 acres with recreation and housing, is less than 10 miles from Alturas.
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Alturas has a city council with five persons who are elected at large for four year terms. The City Clerk and City Treasurer are also elected positions.
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