Page Contents for Occidental, California

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

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Statistics & Facts

The California state capital is Sacramento.
The population of Occidental is approximately 1115 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 657 (1990), 532 (2010).
The amount of land area in Occidental is 13.385 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Occidental to Washington DC is 2605 miles.
The distance to the California state capital is 84 miles. (as the crow flies)
Occidental is positioned 38.39 degrees north of the equator and 122.93 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

The town of Occidental was founded in 1876, upon completion of the Brown's Canyon Trestle, when the narrow gauge Northwest Pacific Coast Railroad trains arrived from San Francisco on their way north to the Russian River. Local products, redwood logs, charcoal, and wine were hauled out on the trains. As the redwood forests were logged out, homesteaders built homes and planted orchards and vineyards in their place. Homes in Occidental and nearby Camp Meeker were built as summer cabins by early developers Dutch Bill Howard and Boss Meeker. Occidental was known as Howard's Station. Vacationers escaped the foggy summers of San Francisco and the heat of the inland valleys to the cool of the forests. Occidental has been the home of family-style dinners for over a century. Enterprising women of Occidental began cooking meals for the railroad workers, loggers, and train passengers. They originally prepared the meals in their own kitchens. The restaurants grew out of the demand for their appealing cooking. Today there are also other cafes and places to sip cappucino and espresso. Artists and craftspeople live and work in the Occidental area and each October open their studios for the ArtTrails adventure. The annual Christmas Crafts Faire is another local event where residents and tourists can purchase handmade holiday gifts and wreaths. Occidental's Redwood Arts Council presents concerts of local artists and world-renowned musical performers featuring chamber music, international folk music, jazz, vocal ensemble and more. The acclaimed Occidental Community Choir performs its original music here several times a year.
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The founding of Occidental

1876

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