Elk Grove is a city in Sacramento County, California, located just south of the state capital of Sacramento. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population is more than 156,000 people, and occupies ZIP codes 95624, 95757, 95758, and 95759.
The second-largest city in Sacramento County, Elk Grove earned the title of the fastest growing city in the U.S between July 1, 2004 and July 1, 2005.
History
Indigenous history
Valley Miwok (some of whom are now enrolled in the Wilton Miwok Rancheria), Southern Maidu, and Patwin peoples are indigenous to Elk Grove and have lived in the region for possibly millennia.
Although diverse, many of these groups’ lives shared similar aspects. They collected acorns before winter, as they provided dietary starch and fat for the cold times ahead. Basket-weaving skills shared between the groups were used to construct above-ground acorn granaries, and local oak groves were tended so as to maximize production.
Elk Grove and its outlining areas were rich in plant and animal life, and it was common for indigenous people to supplement their acorn diet with edible roots and fish from nearby rivers, such as the American River, Sacramento River and the Cosumnes River.
The Nisenan (Southern Maidu) spoke Chico, now extinct, and Nisenan, of which only speaker is thought to remain. Nisenan is one of the Maiduan languages. The Valley Miwok spoke Plains Miwok, a language of the Miwokan branch of the Utian family of languages. All of the Utian languages are severely endangered. The Patwin spoke the Patwin language (also known as Hill Patwin), one of the Wintuan languages. One speaker of Patwin remained in 1997.
Although tribes each had a different language, it is believed they shared a common ancestral root. The Penutian stock is believed to be the originating language from which all other dialects evolved and later branched into five other languages. Maidu, Miwok and Wintuan are included in these five branches.
19th century
The old Elk Grove Hotel, first built in 1850
Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga entered the area and named the Sacramento Valley and River in 1806 and 1808. Swiss explorer John Sutter arrived in the area in 1839.
Elk Grove was founded in 1850 as a stage stop. It is located about 15 miles (24 km) south of historic Sutter’s Fort and thus became a crossroads for business, entertainment, mail service and agriculture, and acted as home base for gold miners in nearby communities.[citation needed]
Initially, the town developed around a stage stop on the Monterey Trail, though after the railroad passed by east of town, Elk Grove’s center shifted to its present location.
20th century
“Old Town” Elk Grove is located about a mile east of State Route 99 (formerly U.S. Route 99, the north-south artery of the California Central Valley). Although the town developed around agriculture, it would eventually become a residential suburb of Sacramento. Most newer housing developments in Elk Grove lie west between Highway 99 and Interstate 5, the major north-south highway for the U.S. West Coast, in two areas locally called “Laguna Creek” and “Laguna West“.
21st century
On July 1, 2000, Elk Grove incorporated as a city. In 2008 CNN stated that areas of Elk Grove suffered from the subprime mortgage crisis.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.2 square miles (109 km2), of which, 99.88% is land and 0.12% is covered by water.
Education
The Elk Grove Unified School District is the 5th largest school district in California and one of the fastest growing school districts in the nation. Located in southern Sacramento County, the district covers 320 square miles (830 km2), one-third of the county. For the 2002-03 school year, the district served more than 52,500 students, and expects to reach 66,000 students by 2015. Those students attend 38 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 high schools and 4 alternative high schools.
There are also several private schools in town. A local community college, Cosumnes River College, offers both vocational training and a transfer program to four-year universities. Located nearby are California State University, Sacramento and the University of California, Davis, as well as branches of Golden Gate University and St. Mary’s College. Elk Grove is also the home of the private six-year Universalist religious college Quest Seminary.[6]
Public libraries
The new Elk Grove Public Library is located at 8900 Elk Grove Blvd in a modern two story building. It moved to this location from just a block East. The library is part of the broader Sacramento Public Library system. The Elk Grove Library also serves neighboring communities such as Vineyard, Wilton, Sloughhouse, and Rancho Murieta.[7]
The Franklin Community Library, which also functions as the library for Franklin High School and Toby Johnson Middle School, is located at 10055 Franklin High Road.
Entertainment
Elk Grove boasts numerous events that are fun and exciting for all ages. The most notable event in Elk Grove is the annual Giant Pumpkin Festival that is held the first weekend of October at the Elk Grove Regional Park. The Giant Pumpkin Festival attracts many thousands of guests each year. Guests are welcome to enjoy the Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off, Pumpkin Regatta, pumpkin food, merchandise and craft vendors, entertainment, children’s activities and more.[citation needed]
Strauss Festival is another festival held at Elk Grove Regional Park]. It is an outdoor staged dance production that has attracted more than 30,000 people annually since 1987. During the month of August, Hot Summer Nights Concert Series is held each Friday at Laguna Town Hall. Voted Best of Elk Grove in 2010, this free music series returns to the outdoor amphitheater with summer party tunes aplenty. Food, children’s attraction, face painting, and glow concessions are all offered at varying costs. During the holidays, Cosumnes CSD Fire Department and Elk Grove Police Department team up to create the Santa & Sirens Parade].
Climate
Elk Grove’s climate varies from low temperatures of 34 to 46 Fahrenheit to highs of 60 to 110 degrees. Average annual rainfall is 22 inches (560 mm) per year falling primarily from October through April. Elk Grove’s average temperature in January 2010, is 47 degrees Fahrenheit. In July 2011, 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The elevation of the city is 45 feet (14 m).
Governance
Local
The City of Elk Grove incorporated on July 1, 2000. It is a general law city and operates on the Manager-City Council type of governance. Beginning in 2012, voters elect the Mayor directly for a two year term, along with four council members. Prior to 2012, The mayor’s position was a one-year term and was chosen at-large by the city council. The first directly elected Mayor of Elk Grove on November 6, 2012 was Gary Davis.
Fire protection, emergency medical services, and parks and recreation services in Elk Grove are provided by the Cosumnes Community Services District, an independent special district agency.
The Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) provides fire protection services to the cities of Elk Grove and Galt, as well as unincorporated areas in the region. Additionally, the Cosumnes CSD provides parks and recreation services to the Elk Grove community. The District encompasses roughly 157 square miles and an estimated population of 169,100 people – 136,000 in the Elk Grove area and 33,100 in the Galt region.