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Alturas (formerly, Dorris Bridge, Dorris' Bridge, and Dorrisville)[2] is the county seat of Modoc County, California, United States. Alturas is located on the Pit River, east of the center of Modoc County,[2] at an elevation of 4370 feet (1332 m).[1] As the county seat, the town is a home to regional government offices, including a California Highway Patrol office and a state Department of Motor Vehicles office. Modoc Subdivision track of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Lake County Railroad, (of Lake County, Oregon) serve the area. The population was 2,892 at the 2000 census, and the ZIP code for the community is 96101.
GeographyAlturas straddles the North Fork of the Pit River, near its confluence with the South Fork in the north end of South Fork Valley, in the extreme northeastern corner of California at 41°29′14″N 120°32′33″W / 41.48722°N 120.5425°W.[1] The tall Warner Mountains lie to the east, the wetlands and wild rice fields of South Fork Valley to the south, and the extensive Modoc Plateau to the north. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) and none of it is covered by water. ClimateAlturas has wet, cold winters and warm, dry summers. The average January temperatures are a high of 41.6°F and a low of 16.5°F. The average July temperatures are a high of 88.2°F and a low of 44.3°F. There are an average of 36.2 days with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher and an average of 203.8 days with lows of 32°F (0°C) or lower. The record high was 108°F on July 8, 2007, and the record low was -34°F on December 9, 1972. Freezing temperatures have occurred in every month of the year; cool nights are common even on the warmest summer days. Precipitation averages 12.43 inches annually. There are an average of 78 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1998 with 20.89 inches and the dryest year was 1976 with 6.54 inches. The most rainfall in one month was 6.17 inches in October 1962. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 3.51 inches on December 11, 1937. Snowfall averages 30.9 inches. The most snowfall in one year was 85.5 inches in 1952.[3] HistoryAlturas now occupies what was initially an Achumawi (Pit River) village known as Kosealekte. The city was initially known as Dorris Bridge (or Dorris' Bridge), named after Pressley and James Dorris, who built a bridge across the Pit River at this location.[2] In 1876, the town was renamed Alturas, which means "The Heights" in Spanish.[4] The Dorris Bridge post office opened in 1871, and changed its name to Alturas in 1876.[2] Settlement continued over the next few decades, until the city was officially incorporated on September 16, 1901. Alturas is the current seat of Modoc County, and its only incorporated city. DemographicsAs of the census[5] of 2000, there were 2,892 people, 1,181 households, and 753 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,316.3 people per square mile (507.5/km²). There were 1,367 housing units at an average density of 622.2/sq mi (239.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.89% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 4.39% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 4.84% from other races, and 3.73% from two or more races. 11.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 1,181 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00. In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $24,351, and the median income for a family was $31,385. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,281. About 23.0% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. PoliticsIn the state legislature Alturas is located in the 1st Senate District, represented by Republican Dave Cox, and in the 2nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Doug LaMalfa. Federally, Alturas is located in California's 4th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +11[6] and is represented by Republican Tom McClintock. EconomyIt is the headquarters to the Modoc National Forest, the Alturas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge and other recreation areas, and is the trade center for the agricultural region, which produces beef, sheep, potatoes, alfalfa and lumber. Despite its abundance of wilderness, recreational opportunities, hunting and fishing resources, and resplendent natural beauty, tourism is not a major sector of the local economy—largely due to the city's remote location. Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Alturas. A vibrant timber industry collapsed in the early 1980s due to increased production costs and low market prices for softwood lumber. The Modoc Joint Unified School District is headquartered in Alturas. The Alturas Rancheria, a band of Pit River Indians, operates a small casino just outside the city limits. Alturas/Modoc County has a local independent television station KMDC on channel 9. ServicesSchools: HeadStart (Pre-K) Alturas Elementary School (K-5) Modoc Middle School (6-8) Modoc High School (9-12) Warner High School (Alternative High School, 9-12) Health Care: Modoc Medical Center Modoc Health Clinic Modoc Indian Health Project, contracted Indian Health Service program Alturas Railroad Museum Alturas Municipal Airport Central Modoc Resource Conservation District BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Alturas office DMV Alturas office CHP Alturas office Dr. Tom Krauel, Optometrist Automation Solar, SiVly Modoc County Record [1] Notable residents
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