Upper Lake, California

Place in California, United States

Upper Lake, California

Unincorporated Community
Census Designated Place

Upper Lake is the gateway to
Mendocino National Forest.

Location within Lake County
and the state of California

Coordinates: 39°09′53″N 122°54′38″W﻿ / ﻿39.16472°N 122.91056°W﻿ / 39.16472; -122.91056
Country| United States
State| California
County| Lake
Area

[1]

• Total

| 1.72 sq mi (4.46 km2)
• Land| 1.71 sq mi (4.44 km2)
• Water| 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)  0.46%
Elevation

[2]

| 1,345 ft (410 m)
Population

(2020)[3]

• Total

| 1,095
• Density| 638.9/sq mi (246.7/km2)
Time zone| UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)| UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code|

95485

Area code| 707
FIPS code| 06-81358
GNIS feature IDs| 236896, 2409382

Upper Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, California, United States.[2] Upper Lake is located 8 miles (13 km) north of Lakeport,[5] at an elevation of 1,345 feet (410 m).[2] The population was 1,095 at the 2020 census, up from 1,052 at the 2010 census. The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are headquartered here.[4]

## Etymology

[edit]

This community was formerly named Upper Clear Lake and Upperlake. The Upper Clear Lake post office opened in 1871, changed its name to Upper Lake in 1875, to Upperlake in 1905, and then back to Upper Lake in 1906.[5]

## History

[edit]

The settlement began in 1854 or 1856, when William B. Elliott opened a blacksmith's shop.[5][6] About ten years later, in 1866, a man named Bukofsky built a store, followed by another blacksmith shop built by Caspar Sweikert. A hotel was started by Henry Taylor. A grist mill was built in 1858 and closed in 1867. A second grist mill was built in 1875. The community grew as cattle stock, alfalfa and bean canneries became the main economic draws.[6]

Upper Lake was a hub of most activities in the northern part of Lake County. In 1860, when Upper Lake was known as Upper Clear Lake, there existed a 20-mile (32 km) toll road between the town and Lower Lake which routed through Lakeport. In 1865, the "Blue Lakes Wagon Road Co." completed a toll road which connected Upper Lake to Ukiah.[7] In 1872 the Upper Lake & Clover Valley Toll Road Co." built an improved route that connected Bartlett Springs. Bartlett Springs sat in the high mountains east of Upper Lake and had a toll road running east into the Sacramento valley. These toll roads became the major route to move people in and out of Lake County. Folks from around the world could take a train to Hopland, then take a stagecoach to Lakeport. From Lakeport they would take a steamboat across Clear Lake to Bartlett Landing. The Wharf was located along the shoreline just east of Upper Lake. From there they would take a stagecoach via Upper Lake up to Bartlett Springs Resort. Travelers could also take a train from the San Francisco Bay area into the Sacramento Valley and then take a stage into Lake County via Bartlett Springs and Upper Lake. By the early 1890s, all major routes into and out of Lake County were toll roads.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), of which over 99% is land.

At the 2000 census, according to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 6.0 square miles (16 km2), of which 5.8 square miles (15 km2) of it was land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (3.33%) was water.

The Hayville Sulphur Spring, formerly used medicinally, is located 5 miles (8 km) northwest.[5]

## Climate

[edit]

Upper Lake has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) according to the Köppen climate classification system.

Climate data for Upper Lake (1893–2006)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 85
(29)  | 97
(36)  | 90
(32)  | 93
(34)  | 102
(39)  | 109
(43)  | 111
(44)  | 109
(43)  | 110
(43)  | 104
(40)  | 94
(34)  | 80
(27)  | 111
(44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 54.6
(12.6)  | 58.3
(14.6)  | 62.7
(17.1)  | 68.8
(20.4)  | 74.7
(23.7)  | 84.1
(28.9)  | 93
(34)  | 92.6
(33.7)  | 87.2
(30.7)  | 76.7
(24.8)  | 64.4
(18.0)  | 55.9
(13.3)  | 72.8
(22.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 32.9
(0.5)  | 34.7
(1.5)  | 36.6
(2.6)  | 39.5
(4.2)  | 43.4
(6.3)  | 48.3
(9.1)  | 52
(11)  | 50.2
(10.1)  | 45.9
(7.7)  | 40.3
(4.6)  | 35.6
(2.0)  | 32.6
(0.3)  | 41
(5)
Record low °F (°C)  | 9
(−13)  | 13
(−11)  | 19
(−7)  | 24
(−4)  | 28
(−2)  | 30
(−1)  | 32
(0)  | 33
(1)  | 27
(−3)  | 17
(−8)  | 16
(−9)  | 10
(−12)  | 9
(−13)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 7.35
(187)  | 5.28
(134)  | 4.46
(113)  | 2.26
(57)  | 1.11
(28)  | 0.37
(9.4)  | 0.03
(0.76)  | 0.07
(1.8)  | 0.33
(8.4)  | 1.77
(45)  | 4.19
(106)  | 6.86
(174)  | 34.09
(866)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 0.9
(2.3)  | 0.3
(0.76)  | 0.2
(0.51)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0
(0)  | 0.2
(0.51)  | 0.4
(1.0)  | 2
(5.1)
Average precipitation days  | 13  | 10  | 10  | 6  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 4  | 8  | 10  | 68
Source: WRCC[8]

## Demographics

[edit]

### 2020

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

2000| 989| | —
2010| 1,052| | 6.4%
2020| 1,095| | 4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1860–1870[10][11] 1880-1890[12]
1900[13] 1910[14] 1920[15]
1930[16] 1940[17] 1950[18]
1960[19] 1970[20] 1980[21]
1990[22] 2000[23] 2010[24]
2020[3]

Upper Lake first appeared as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. Census.[23]

Race and Ethnicity  Racial and ethnic composition  | 2000[25] | 2010[26] | 2020[27]

|
|
|

White (non-Hispanic) | 78.26%  | 71.48%  | 57.35%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 14.86%  | 23.0%  | 31.05%
Two or more races (non-Hispanic) | 2.22%  | 2.47%  | 7.4%
Native American (non-Hispanic) | 3.34%  | 1.71%  | 3.2%
Other (non-Hispanic)  | 0.51%  | 0.0%  | 0.73%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 0.81%  | 0.67%  | 0.27%
Asian (non-Hispanic) | 0.0%  | 0.67%  | 0.0%
Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) | 0.0%  | 0.0%  | 0.0%

The 2020 United States census reported that Upper Lake had a population of 1,095. The population density was 638.9 inhabitants per square mile (246.7/km2). The racial makeup of Upper Lake was 64.4% White, 0.3% African American, 5.1% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 14.5% from other races, and 15.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.1% of the population.[28]

The census reported that 99.5% of the population lived in households and 0.5% were institutionalized.[28]

There were 400 households, out of which 26.3% included children under the age of 18, 37.0% were married-couple households, 12.0% were cohabiting couple households, 26.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 24.3% had a male householder with no partner present. 31.2% of households were one person, and 18.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.73.[28] There were 224 families (56.0% of all households).[29]

The age distribution was 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% aged 18 to 24, 28.6% aged 25 to 44, 25.8% aged 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males.[28]

There were 454 housing units at an average density of 264.9 units per square mile (102.3 units/km2), of which 400 (88.1%) were occupied. Of these, 72.8% were owner-occupied, and 27.3% were occupied by renters.[28]

## Economy

[edit]

### Viticulture

[edit]

Main article: Upper Lake Valley AVA

The Upper Lake area emerged as a wine-growing region in the 1880s, counting among his earliest viticulturists Serranus Clinton Hastings, who farmed 125 acres (51 ha) of vineyards and had a winery and distillery built, operating until 1900.[30][31] Charles M. Hammond planted a 25-acre vineyard in the late 19th century which was still thriving in 1914.[32]

Viticulture and winemaking activities were wiped out by Prohibition, and vineyards were abandoned or replanted with orchards, most notably walnuts, which remain a key crop in the area. Some vineyards were replanted starting in the 1970s, and as of 2022 there were about 300 acres (120 ha) planted under vines.[33] The Upper Lake Valley American Viticultural Area was recognized in 2022.

### Canning

[edit]

The early economy of Upper Lake comprised canning beans, growing alfalfa and raising cattle.[6] During the late 19th century, canned beans developed into the primary economy for Upper Lake in the mid-20th century. The first cannery, which employed 400 people annually, was built in 1897 by A. Mendenhall.[6] The first cannery was actually built by Mr. Henry Van Wambold. He built his "Blue Lakes Cannery" in 1895 and Mr. Mendenhall followed with his "Clear Lake Cannery" in 1897. This information is found in the State of California archives which show the application paperwork along with the trademark labels that were issued by California for each of these canneries.[34] The name "Blue Lake" green bean was developed near the shores of the Blue Lakes of Lake County, near Upper Lake. Both these canneries were bought out in 1927 and were then renamed the "Lake County Cannery". The Lake County Cannery continued in operation until 1968.

## Government

[edit]

In the California State Legislature, Upper Lake is in the 2nd senatorial district, represented by Democrat Mike McGuire, and in the 4th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.[35]

In the United States House of Representatives, Upper Lake is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.[36]

## Education

[edit]

One of the first schools in Lake County was located in Upper Lake. The first teacher was J.W. Mackall, a former cashier at Farmers' Savings Bank.[6]

## Notable people

[edit]

Benjamin Dewell, a member of the Bear Flag Rebellion, settled in Upper Lake, becoming the first permanent white settler, along with his wife Celia, in 1854.[6][37]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
2. ^ a b c "Upper Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
3. ^ a b "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
4. ^ a b Clear Lake's First People. Archived 2009-04-24 at the Wayback Machine (pdf file) Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. (retrieved 27 Feb 2009)
5. ^ a b c d Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, California: Word Dancer Press. p. 162\. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
6. ^ a b c d e f Aurelius O. Carpenter; Percy H. Millberry (1914). History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California: With Biographical Sketches of the Leading, Men and Women of the Counties who Have Been Identified with Their Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present. Historic record Company. p. 778.
7. ^ Index to the Laws of California.
8. ^ "Upper Lake, CA (049173)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
9. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
10. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
11. ^ "1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
12. ^ "1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
13. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
14. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
15. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ "1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
20. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
21. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
22. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
23. ^ a b "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
24. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
25. ^ "2000: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". US Census Bureau.
26. ^ "2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". US Census Bureau.
27. ^ "2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". US Census Bureau.
28. ^ a b c d e "Upper Lake CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
29. ^ "Upper Lake CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
30. ^ Mauldin, Henry, Mauldin Files, vol. 42, p. 8225
31. ^ Hilly, James (1888), A description of Lake County, California
32. ^ Carpenter, Aurelius O.; Millberry, Percy H. (1914), History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California, p. 160-162
33. ^ Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. "T.D. TTB-182: Establishment of the Upper Lake Viticultural Area and Modification of the Clear Lake Viticultural Area Boundary". Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
34. ^ ""Old Series" Trademarks · California State Archives Exhibits".
35. ^ "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
36. ^ "California's 4th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
37. ^ "Finding aid of the Benjamin Dewell Papers C058830". Online Archive of California. Society of California Pioneers. Retrieved September 28, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Information webpage on Upper Lake, California

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Lake County, California, United States

County seat: Lakeport

Cities|

* Clearlake
* Lakeport

Lake County map

CDPs|

* Clearlake Oaks
* Clearlake Riviera (Kelseyville Riviera)
* Cobb
* Hidden Valley Lake
* Kelseyville
* Lower Lake
* Lucerne
* Middletown
* Nice
* North Lakeport
* Soda Bay
* Spring Valley
* Upper Lake

Unincorporated
communities|

* Adams
* Anderson Springs
* Buckingham Park
* Finley
* Glenhaven
* Hobergs
* Loch Lomond
* Pine Grove
* Riviera Heights
* Riviera West
* Saratoga Springs
* Seigler Springs
* Whispering Pines

Indian
reservations|

* Big Valley Rancheria
* Elem Indian Colony
* Middletown Rancheria
* Robinson Rancheria
* Upper Lake Rancheria

Former
settlements|

* Dahnohabe
* Guenoc
* Hopitsewah
* Hullville
* Kaci-badon
* Khawina
* Koi
* Lolsel
* Olposel

* California portal
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Authority control databases |

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