Moss Landing,formerlyMoss,[6]is anunincorporated communityandcensus-designated place(CDP) inMonterey County,California,United States.[4]It is located 18 miles (29 km) north-northeast ofMonterey,at an elevation of 10 feet (3.048 m).[4]It is on the shore ofMonterey Bay,at the mouth ofElkhorn Sloughand at the head of thesubmarineMonterey Canyon.
Moss Landing, California | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view | |
 Location inMonterey Countyand the state ofCalifornia | |
  Moss Landing Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:36°48′16″N121°47′13″W/ 36.80444°N 121.78694°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Monterey |
| Government | |
| •State senator | John Laird(D)[1] |
| •Assemblymember | Robert Rivas(D)[1] |
| •U.S. Rep. | Jimmy Panetta(D)[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.602 sq mi (1.56 km2) |
| • Land | 0.392 sq mi (1.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.210 sq mi (0.54 km2) 34.88% |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 237 |
| • Density | 604.6/sq mi (233.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8(Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7(PDT) |
| ZIP code | 95039 |
| Area code | 831 |
| FIPScode | 06-49488 |
| GNISfeature IDs | 1659184,2408874 |
History
editThe earliest residents of the Moss Landing/Elkhorn Slough area were theOhlonepeople. Evidence from archaeological digs show that they may have lived here as long ago as 4,000 years. The Spanish forced the Ohlone into themissionsystem in the 1700s from which few survived. "A total of 81,000 Indians were baptized and 60,000 deaths were recorded."[7]After the mission system wassecularized,the Spanish government granted vastranchosto soldiers and others with connections, including the 30,901-acre (125.05 km2)Rancho Bolsa Nueva y Moro Cojo.This grant extended from Moss Landing to present-dayPrunedaleand south toCastroville.[8][9]
They farmed the land and ran cattle over the nearby hills. Americans arrived in the mid-1800s and farmers turned the area into cropland.[citation needed]
In the early 1860s Charles Moss, a Texas ship captain, established with the help of a partner a landing and wharf to handle the emerginggrain tradein theSalinas Valley.[10][11]
William B. Postearned a reputation as a skilled bear and deer hunter in theBig Surregion, and he traded in hides and buckskin. This work drew him north to Moss Landing. Post opened one of the first grain warehouses along the coast at Moss Landing. Flat bottom boats brought grain from all over the Salinas Valley toElkhorn Sloughand unloaded at Post's warehouse. W.B. became an agent for the steamship company ofGoodall, Nelson and Perkins.The success of the shipping point stimulated the growth of Castroville, one of Monterey County's first municipalities, which served to support Moss Landing commerce.[10]
The location was initially named "Moss", after Charles Moss.[6]The Moss post office opened in 1895 and in 1917 changed its name to "Moss Landing".[6][12]It became a busy whaling and fishing port and a location for fish processing plants and canneries. The Moss Landing Harbor District, established in the 1940s, dredged channels and built piers. TheMoss Landing Power Plantopened in 1950. TheCalifornia State Universitysystem foundedMoss Landing Marine Laboratoriesin 1966 (it was rebuilt nearby after theLoma Prieta Earthquakedestroyed the facility in 1989), and in the mid-1990s theMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institutewas moved to Moss Landing fromPacific Grove.In the 1980s, then-Monterey County Supervisor Marc Del Piero secured millions of dollars in federal grants to cure historic and chronic water pollution issues and sanitary sewers were installed.[12]
Geography
editMoss Landing is located in northern Monterey County, whereElkhorn Sloughbecomes an estuary as it flows intoMonterey Bayat the head of theMonterey Submarine Canyon.[12]California State Route 1follows the eastern edge of the community, leading north 8 miles (13 km) toWatsonvilleand southwest 18 miles (29 km) toMonterey.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the CDP has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), of which 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), or 34.88%, are water.[3]
Climate
editThis region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Moss Landing has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate,abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[13]
Demographics
edit
2010
editThe2010 United States Census[14]reported that Moss Landing had a population of 204. The population density was 338.3 inhabitants per square mile (130.6/km2). The racial makeup of Moss Landing was 149 (73.0%)White,7 (3.4%)African American,1 (0.5%)Native American,2 (1.0%)Asian,1 (0.5%)Pacific Islander,30 (14.7%) fromother races,and 14 (6.9%) from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 46 persons (22.5%).
The Census reported that 204 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 100 households, out of which 21 (21.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 36 (36.0%) wereopposite-sex married couplesliving together, 11 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 4 (4.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 8 (8.0%)unmarried opposite-sex partnerships,and 0 (0%)same-sex married couples or partnerships.41 households (41.0%) were made up of individuals, and 11 (11.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04. There were 51families(51.0% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.
The population was spread out, with 32 people (15.7%) under the age of 18, 8 people (3.9%) aged 18 to 24, 54 people (26.5%) aged 25 to 44, 84 people (41.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 26 people (12.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.0 males.
There were 108 housing units at an average density of 179.1 per square mile (69.2/km2), of which 55 (55.0%) were owner-occupied, and 45 (45.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%. 118 people (57.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 86 people (42.2%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
edit
As of thecensus[15]of 2000, there were 300 people, 125 households, and 68 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 734.9 inhabitants per square mile (283.7/km2). There were 135 housing units at an average density of 330.7 per square mile (127.7/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.33%White,3.00%African American,0.67%Native American,2.00%Asian,21.67% fromother races,and 13.33% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 28.3% of the population.
There were 125 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.6% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $66,442, and the median income for a family was $66,731. Males had a median income of $41,154 versus $36,691 for females. Theper capita incomefor the CDP was $28,005. About 13.0% of families and 18.8% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 38.7% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.
Economy
edit
Located in Moss Landing is theMoss Landing Marine Laboratories,a multi-campus research facility of theCalifornia State University.Also located here is theMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute,a sister organization to theMonterey Bay Aquarium.
TheMoss Landing Power Plantis a natural gas plant and the largest battery storage facility in the world. Located at the intersection ofState Route 1and Dolan Road. It produces 2,538 megawatts, and is wholly owned byDynegy.It is visible fromSanta Cruz, Californiato the north andMonterey, Californiato the south on clear days. There is a commercial park adjacent to the power plant, housing manufacturers and laboratories.[12]
While intended as a backup for California's marginal electric grid, the plant could only power the state of California for about two minutes. Three fires have occurred in the last several years, causing a shutdown of the plant and emission of toxic air pollutants from the burning lithium-ion batteries.[16]
Tourism is a large part of the economy in Moss Landing.
Arts and culture
editAnnual cultural events
editThe Moss Landing Antique Street Fair is held annually on the last Sunday in July and hosts hundreds of antique vendors. It brings over ten times the population of Moss Landing to the area.[17][18]
Other events include the May opener for rock cod fishing, blessing the fleet May 1, open house at Moss Landing Marine Labs held in April or May, and Nautical Flea Market held in May.[17]
Tourism
edit
Moss landing is most noted as the gateway to Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest wetlands in the state. Elkhorn Slough is a precious resource and is always ranked in the top 10 best birding spots in the US according to the Audubon's annual bird count. There are over 350 species of bird that migrate through the area annually. It is also known as one of the best spots in the world to see sea otters. Moss Landing lies in the northern part of Monterey County and has numerous restaurants, galleries, a bed and breakfast, and is the home port to many fishing and pleasure boats.[citation needed]
Moss Landing Harbor District berths over 600 boats, including 350 fishing boats, 200 pleasure craft, 30 research vessels, and a half dozen tour and charter boats. The harbor's commercial boats land dungeness crab, halibut, king salmon, albacore, rockfish, sablefish, anchovies, sardines, squid, black cod, red snapper, covina, prawns, mackerel, and others. Several maritime businesses support harbor users including a fuel dock. The harbor district also provides two public boat launches and a community park.[19]
Moss Landing is home to the Shakespeare Society of America.[20]
Parks and nature reserves
editMoss Landing provides access to state and federal protected lands, including surfing destinationMoss Landing State Beach,Salinas River State Beach,Zmudowski State Beach,Moss Landing Wildlife Area,and theElkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
References
edit- ^ab"Statewide Database".UC Regents. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2015.RetrievedNovember 29,2014.
- ^"California's 19th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map".Civic Impulse, LLC.RetrievedJune 15,2024.
- ^ab"2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 21,2022.
- ^abcU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Moss Landing, California
- ^"P1. Race – Moss Landing CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)".U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 21,2022.
- ^abcDurham, David L. (1998).California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State.Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press.ISBN1-884995-14-4.
- ^Bean, John (1994).The Ohlone Past and Present: Native Americans of the San Francisco Bay Region.Menlo Park: Bellena.
- ^Diseño del Rancho Bolsa Nueva y Moro Cojo
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rancho Bolsa Nueva y Moro Cojo
- ^abSeavey, Kent L. (August 14, 1985)."National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Joseph W. Post House".
- ^"The Hermit of the Little Sur | Adam Miller - Folksinger and Storyteller".December 30, 2021.
- ^abcdAbraham, Kera (October 13, 2011)."Moss Landing's development diversity makes it an economic survivor".Monterey County Weekly.
- ^Climate Summary for Moss Landing, California
- ^"2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Moss Landing CDP".U.S. Census Bureau. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 12,2014.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
- ^"Portion of Highway 1 closed after Tesla battery catches fire at PG&E substation".September 20, 2022.
- ^ab"Moss Landing Camber of Commerce".RetrievedFebruary 16,2011.
- ^SeeMonterey: Moss Landing Antique Street FairArchived2009-05-22 at theWayback Machine
- ^Moss Landing Harbor District
- ^"The gift and the curse of the Shakespeare Society of America".July 11, 2021.
External links
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