Chapter 2

Located on the coast of California, Crescent City is part of the Pacific Mountains and Valleys physiographic region. Nestled in between the ocean and the mountain, the city has a distinctive look with its ocean front views on one side and its forest growth on the other.

(Source: http://images.travelpod.com/users/billy_d/1.1285290241.the-bay-at-crescent-city-ca-23-sep-2010.jpg)

(source: http://home.comcast.net/~bygonebyways/101-CA-Crescent%20City-Klamath%20Coast%20Road%20Access.jpg)

Crescent City has a very wet climate and is considered one of the wettest places in California. The annual rainfall is roughly 70in, with the wettest months being from October to March. The average temperature (in °F ) ranges from the low 60s and upper 50s all the way down to the low 40s during the winter season. During summer the temperatures rises slightly to a high around the low 70s. Although it is rare, there have been some instincts where snow has fallen, but does not stay long. The citizens even expires the rare occurrence of hitting the upper 70s during the summer, in which case they head to the beach because it feels like a heat wave to them. 

Standing in the forest by a Redwood tree.

Crescent City and its surrounding area is considered to be a cold needleleaf forest and coastal forest vegetation region with its towering Redwood trees, Sitka spruce, grand and Douglas fir as well as its shrubs, bushes, flowers, ferns, mosses and lichens.

Within all this beautiful flora lives amazing fauna including bear, deer, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, skunks, fox, beaver, even the occasional bald eagle and spotted owl can be found at times. All these animals use the brush found within the forest as a hideout and as a place to live. They drink from the Smith River, or one of the many creeks in the area, and find their food not only in the woods, but also in the backyards of many of the residents who have gardens and berry bushes in their yards.

(Source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9h1E1SancgIC00QfMqRJAEPq_DI0QyqBa8_43PUy1OP8MnzF60xxDmzIgqQtzJShgnbkaJp0DIufD6DiC1pcY0na7VqanQwhzYdW6aTo0kKDnaEYN_Q_r-xswjuBiI-F9tZBNYSxaQ8/s320/IMG_8995.JPG

 

 

 

Chapter 1

Crescent City is located in northern California, approximately 20 miles from the California and Oregon border. It is a very small place, only 1.6  square miles, but has a lot to offer. It is located in the region known as the North Pacific Coast. It is home to the site of the Redwood National Park Headquarters, as well as, Pelican Bay State Prison.

(Source: http://pics2.city-data.com/city/maps/fr6974.png)

 

 

 (source: http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/files/images/2008-04-redwood-trees.jpg photo by Marc Soller)

 

 

 

With a population slightly over 7,500, Crescent City is considered a nonmetropolitan area even though within the last 10 years there has been significant growth. This growth is contributed to the need of employees at the prison as well as expansion of businesses in the city.

 

Battery Point Lighthouse(Source: http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/s/sunnyana/164.jpg)

 

 

Many of the residents utilize the beautiful surrounds in the area not only for pleasure, but also as a way of making a living. The initial draw that people had to the area was appetite to find gold. Once the desire for gold played its course, many fell into the industries of agriculture and lumbering. Being situated on the Pacific Ocean not only provides the people access to a great food source, but it has also brought on major disaster. A tsunamis hit the city on March 27, 1964 causing major damage. This tsunamis did not stop people from living in the beautiful area, and they still every now and then are evacuated due to tsunamis warnings. This does not occur often enough to deter people from living there though.

 1964 Tsunamis (source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pitAGlz5x0)

Majority of the residents are middle class caucasians and roughly 35% of residents are below the poverty line. The cultural background is very unique and has added to the distinct character of the town. The Yurok tribe and the Tolowa tribe were living off the land in the area for many years before the white settlers came and to this day they still live in the area. With many Native Americans living in or within the areas surrounding Crescent city, their ways of life have rubbed off on the others and has created a unique culture.

(Source: http://www.quehubo.info/erika/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/OR_CA-6.jpg)