Tecopa, California

Tecopa (formerly Brownsville[4]) is a census-designated place (CDP) in southeast Inyo County, California, United States. It was established in the late 19th century as mining town. It is now better known for the natural hot springs north of the current townsite.

Tecopa
census-designated place
Tecopa from the southwest
Tecopa from the southwest
Location in Inyo County and the state of California
Location in Inyo County and the state of California
Tecopa is located in the United States
Tecopa
Tecopa
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 35°50′54″N 116°13′35″W
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyInyo
Area
[1]
 • Total18.657 sq mi (48.323 km2)
 • Land18.589 sq mi (48.146 km2)
 • Water0.068 sq mi (0.177 km2)  0.37%
Elevation
[2]
1,339 ft (408 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total120[3]
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
92389
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-78050
GNIS feature ID0250293
Badlands along the road to the China Ranch date farm, south of Tecopa

Tecopa was named after the Paiute leader Chief Tecopa. It was the subject of an important article by John Gregory Dunne published in the Saturday Evening Post and reprinted in Dunne's book, Quintana & Friends, published by Dutton in 1978.

Regional History

The Old Spanish Trail and the later wagon road called the Old Mormon Road or Salt Lake Road, passed from Resting Springs, east of the modern site of Tecopa, 7 miles to Willow Creek (fed by Willow Spring within China Ranch Wash on the east bank of the canyon of the Amargosa River (then called Saleratus Creek)), south of Tecopa. In 1859, The Prairie Traveler, a popular handbook for overland travelers at that time described it:

The spring is on the left of the road, and flows into Saleratus Creek. Animals must not be allowed to drink the Saleratus water."[5]

There the trail turned to follow the river south to Salt Springs.[6]

China Ranch Wash is named for the Chinese Man who developed Willow Creek around 1900 and raised meat and vegetables to sell to the miners.[7]

History of the Town

The town's original site was 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Resting Springs near the head of Willow Creek.[4] Kasson, California was nearby. William D. and Robert D. Brown, brothers, founded the town in 1875, and named it Brownsville.[4] When Jonas Osborne bought out the Browns, he renamed the town after Indian Chief Tecopa.[4] Mines developed at Noonday Mine in the 1860s and Tecopa served as the settlement.[4]

In 1878, it was determined that the original townsite was 300 yards within Inyo county. Settling a dispute with San Bernardino County of who controlled the township. however, in July 1879, Inyo County Sheriff William Welch considered it a costly mistake because, "it costs five cents a pound freight from San Bernardino here."[8]

A post office operated at the original site of Tecopa from 1877 to 1881.[4] The town moved to the present location when the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad, reached the site of the mine smelter on the Amargosa River in 1907.[4] and the townsite moved to be closer to the smelter. A post office opened at the new site in 1907, was closed in 1931, and reopened in 1932.[4]

In 2006 the Amargosa Conservancy acquired the original townsite for preservation purposes [9]

Hot Springs

North of the Post Office is the Hot Springs community, where the Community Center, Fire Station, Library, several tourist facilities and some homes are located.

Tecopa Heights

East of the post office, the General Land Office, then the Bureau of Land Management began offering parcels under the authority of the Small Tract Act of 1938. Dozens of parcels were claimed and patented in the area now known as "Tecopa Heights."[10] Most residents of the area live in this community. Southern Inyo County Fire Protection District in 2014 received a grant in order to install a water kiosk for the community, since Tecopa lacks proper water infrastructure that is capable of properly filtering ground water to state standards. The community water kiosk was opened in 2017 on the southeast corner of Tecopa Heights.[11][12]

Geography

Tecopa is within the Mojave Desert east of Death Valley National Park. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48 km2), of which, 18.6 square miles (48 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.37%) is water.

Economy

Historically, Tecopa's economy was based on silver and lead mining,[13][14][15][16] has been slowly transitioning to an ecotourist and resort town.[17] A major attraction in Tecopa is the Tecopa Ecological Reserve,[18] which hosts a natural ground-fed hot spring.[19][20] However, the natural hot spring is subject to closure because tourists have been accused of destroying the protected vole habitat with camp fires and human waste.[21]

Tecopa also has minimal agriculture activities; mostly revolving around date farming,[22] and marijuana cultivation.[23]

The town has a growing microbrewery and bakery scene that caters to the patrons of Tecopa's three hot springs resorts during the fall and winter seasons.[24][25][26]

Arts and culture

Tecopa holds an annual firehouse fling in November. It is hosted by Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, as a way to raise funds for the rural fire department[27][28][29]

Demographics

2010

At the 2010 census Tecopa had a population of 150. The population density was 8.0 people per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of Tecopa was 119 (79.3%) White, 1 (0.7%) African American, 8 (5.3%) Native American, 2 (1.3%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 1 (0.7%) from other races, and 19 (12.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8 people (5.3%).[30]

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 92 households, 13 (14.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 22 (23.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2 (2.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 6 (6.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 6 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 2 (2.2%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 56 households (60.9%) were one person and 28 (30.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 1.63. There were 30 families (32.6% of households); the average family size was 2.60.

The age distribution was 19 people (12.7%) under the age of 18, 5 people (3.3%) aged 18 to 24, 17 people (11.3%) aged 25 to 44, 59 people (39.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 50 people (33.3%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 57.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 138.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 133.9 males.

There were 159 housing units at an average density of 8.5 per square mile (3.3/km2),of which 92 were occupied, 57 (62.0%) by the owners and 35 (38.0%) by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 6.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.3%. 96 people (64.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 54 people (36.0%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

At the 2000 census there were 99 people, 60 households, and 22 families in the CDP. The population density was 5.3 people per square mile (2.1/km2). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 7.2 per square mile (2.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.89% White, 1.01% Black or African American, 7.07% Native American, and 3.03% from two or more races. 4.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[31] Of the 60 households 10.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.3% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 63.3% were non-families. 55.0% of households were one person and 30.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.65 and the average family size was 2.50.

The age distribution was 10.1% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 14.1% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 43.4% 65 or older. The median age was 63 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median household income was $12,344 and the median family income was $16,250. Males had a median income of $0 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,395. There were 30.8% of families and 38.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 100.0% of under eighteens and 27.0% of those over 64.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Public transportation in Tecopa is operated by Eastern Sierra Transit Authority as a fixed route lifeline service to residents of Tecopa to Pahrump twice a month.[32] In October 2020, service was suspended because the contractor serving this route, Pahrump Senior Center, sold the route to a third-party vendor and failed to meet contractual obligations.[33] Eastern Sierra Transit Authority is in the process of finding an alternative provider for the Tecopa bus route[34][35]

Utilities

Tecopa receives electrical power through Southern California Edison.[36] There is no gas utility serving Tecopa.[37] The community instead relies on propane gas deliveries from companies located in Pahrump[38][39]

The Incumbent telephone carrier for Tecopa is AT&T.[40] The county acknowledges that AT&T fails to maintain their network by providing unreliable Telephone and internet service. The community instead relies on Fixed Wireless Internet Service Providers and Satellite internet[41]

Tecopa doesn't have traditional residential waste services. Instead, residents use communal dumpsters, which are serviced by C&S Waste Solutions under the Pahrump Valley Disposal brand.[42][43]

Politics and government

In the state legislature, Tecopa is in the 8th Senate District, represented by Democrat Angelique Ashby,[44] and the 26th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Evan Low.[45]

Federally, Tecopa is in California's 8th congressional district, represented by Democrat John Garamendi.[46]

Education

Children in Tecopa attend schools operated by Death Valley Unified School District

Library

The Tecopa Branch Library, of the Inyo County Free Library. Provides internet access to community members who lack affordable internet[47]

Public Safety

Law enforcement services to tecopa is provided by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office[48]

Fire fighting services is provided by Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, which is headquartered in tecopa.[49][50][51][52]

Cemetery

Cemetery Services in Tecopa are managed by the Tecopa Cemetery District since February 2022[53][54][55]

See also

References
  1. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files - Places - California". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tecopa, California
  3. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  4. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1207. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  5. Randolph Barnes Marcy, THE PRAIRIE TRAVELER. A HAND-BOOK FOR OVERLAND EXPEDITIONS. WITH MAPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND ITINERARIES OF THE PRINCIPAL ROUTES BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AND THE PACIFIC., PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT, 1859; ITINERARY VI. From Great Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. Distances from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles from the Kansas Collection website accessed 05/22/2015
  6. Hafen, LeRoy Reuben; Hafen, Ann Woodbury (January 1, 1998). Journals of Forty-niners: Salt Lake to Los Angeles : with Diaries and Contemporary Records of Sheldon Young, James S. Brown, Jacob Y. Stover, Charles C. Rich, Addison Pratt, Howard Egan, Henry W. Bigler, and Others. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0803273169. Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Google Books.
  7. "History of China Ranch".
  8. "Early History of Resting Springs, Inyo County, California".
  9. "Fundraiser set for Amargosa trailhead project". November 13, 2013.
  10. "History: Jackrabbit homesteading gets its start in the midcentury".
  11. "A warning in Tecopa: Don't drink the water". Pvtimes.com. June 29, 2016.
  12. "Vending machine brings clean water to tiny California town". Pvtimes.com. September 13, 2017.
  13. "War Eagle". Vegasunderworld.com.
  14. "Noonday". Vegasunderworld.com.
  15. "Tecopa Mines". Mojaveunderground.com.
  16. "The Early History of the Resting Springs Mining District" (PDF). Vredenburgh.org. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  17. "Tecopa". Inyocountyvisitor.com.
  18. "Tecopa Ecological Reserve". Wildlife.ca.gov.
  19. "Tecopa Mud Hot Springs". Ultimatehotsapringsguide.com.
  20. "Tecopa Hot Springs Death Valley Side Trip". Daytrippen.com. March 8, 2021.
  21. "Lawsuit: Partiers at popular hot spring endangering voles who live there". Pahrump Valley Times. December 8, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  22. "China Ranch Date Farm". Atlasobscura.com.
  23. "COUNTY COMMERCIAL CANNABIS PERMITTING OFFICE" (PDF). Inyocounty.us. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  24. "Tecopa restaurants opening for season with new offerings". Pvtimes.com. September 25, 2019.
  25. "Discover hiking, hot springs and a secret foodie haven just outside Death Valley". Los Angeles Times. January 10, 2020.
  26. "Tecopa". Inyo County Tourism Information Center | Inyo County Visitor Guides and Maps.
  27. "14th annual Firehouse Fling event planned for Saturday". Pvtimes.com. November 5, 2021.
  28. "Firehouse Fling and Flea Market". Tecopahotspringscampground.com. September 7, 2017.
  29. "9th annual Firehouse Fling in Tecopa on Saturday". Pvtimes.com. November 18, 2016.
  30. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Tecopa CDP". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  31. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  32. "Tecopa to Pahrump". Estransit.com.
  33. "ESTA Board Meeting" (PDF). Estransit.com. October 16, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  34. "ESTA Board Meeting" (PDF). Estransit.com. November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  35. "ESTA Board Meeting" (PDF). Estransit.com. December 11, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  36. "Electric Utility Service Areas". Cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com.
  37. "California Natural Gas Service Area". Cecgis-caenergy.opendata.arcgis.com.
  38. "Shoshone Propane Gas | Propane Gas Delivery and Service in Pahrump, Tecopa, Beatty, Indian Springs". Shoshonepropanegas.com. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  39. "AmeriGas Propane in Pahrump, Nevada | Propane Refills & More". Amerigas.com.
  40. "CALIFORNIA ILEC NETWORK OVERVIEW" (PDF). Cpuc.ca.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  41. "Community Plans for Charleston View and Tecopa | Inyo County California". Inyocounty.us.
  42. County of Inyo Board of Supervisors. "Agenda May 25, 2021" (PDF). County of Inyo. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  43. "Pahrump Valley Disposal". C&S Waste Solution. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  44. "Senators". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  45. "Members Assembly". State of California. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  46. "California's 8th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  47. "Library Branches | Inyo County California". www.inyocounty.us. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  48. "County Locations | Inyo County California". www.inyocounty.us. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  49. "Southern Inyo Fire Protection District".
  50. "Southern Inyo Fire Protection District | Tecopa, CA". usfiredept.com.
  51. https://www.inyo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/2022-county-inyo-grand-jury-response-so-inyo-fire-dist.pdf
  52. "Welcome". Southern Inyo Fire Protection District. September 29, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  53. "GCC : Tecopa Cemetery District (2021) < Special Districts". publicpay.ca.gov. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  54. "A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF INYO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS TO THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE TECOPA CEMETERY DISTRICT AND DIVESTING ITS AUTHORITY AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE TECOPA CEMETERY DISTRICT" (PDF). Inyo County Board of Supervisors. Inyo County. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  55. "Minutes February 22, 2022" (PDF). Inyo county Board of supervisors. inyo county. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
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