Library Tales

Next Thursday, July 18, Library Tales will feature Judi Behlke bringing stories, crafts, and activities around the theme of Ice Cream. Library Tales is open to children of all ages, both residents and summer visitors. It takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Downieville Library, which is located in the basement of the North Yuba River Hall at 318 Commercial Street.

More Other Places with the Same Names

Two weeks ago, in this column, I wrote that “We are not alone!”, and went on to explain that Sierra County has a “sister” county of the same name in New Mexico. Well, doing the research for that got me to wondering about whether the various communities in our Sierra County also have “sister” or “brother” communities elsewhere in the United States.

According the 2020 U.S. census, there are 11 communities in Sierra County, California, that have identifiable population. So, it is for these communities that I went online, searching for companionship. Here is what I found (each Sierra County, California, community and data is printed in italics):

Alleghany, population 30: Although there are several Alleghany Counties in the country, I could find no other towns of the same name.

Calpine, population 223: I could find no other Calpines.

Downieville, population 290: There is a Downieville in Clear Creek County, Colorado (I remember the sign on I-70 several years ago, as we were driving through the area). It is part of the Downieville-Lawson-Dumont census-designated place, with a total population of 527. There is also a Downieville in Butler County, Pennsylvania, which is actually listed as a neighborhood of Adams Township, but with no population credited to the neighborhood alone.

Goodyears Bar, population 69: I could find no other Goodyear Bars — though, of course, there could be some mining areas with that designation.

Loyalton, population 740: incorporated. There are two other Loyaltons: one in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and the other in Edmunds County, South Dakota. Both carry the census designation of “community”, without population data.

Pike, population 159: Pike wins the contest for most other same-named places with seven: a “community” named Pike Station in Pike County, Illinois; a “community” in Boone County, Indiana; a “village” in Grafton County, New Hampshire; a Pike City ghost town in Carter County, Oklahoma; and, a “community” in Ritchie County, West Virginia. The Census Bureau shows no population data for any of these. However, there is an incorporated city of Pike in Wyoming County, New York, with a population of 298. And, there is a Pike in Collin County, Texas, with a population of 80.

Sattley, population 44: I could find no other Sattleys.

Sierra Brooks, population 467: I could find no other communities of the same name.

Sierra City, population 235: Nope, no other Sierra Citys either.

Sierraville, population 239: The same for other Sierravilles.

Verdi, population 179: There is, of course, Verdi, Washoe County, Nevada, with a population of 1,134. Also, a Verdi in Atascosa County, Texas, with a population of 110 (in the 2000 census). And, three other Verdis without population data: a “community” in Ottawa County, Kansas; a “community” in Lincoln County, Minnesota; and, a “populated place” in Scott County, Virginia.