Misplaced Pages

#83916

84-485: A dam was built on the San Lorenzo River upstream of the powder works on what is now Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park . A 4 by 6 feet (1.2 m × 1.8 m) tunnel 1,200 feet (370 m) long was dug in 1863 to bring water from the dam through the powder works. Water powered powder mill machinery and was used to dissolve and purify the crude potassium nitrate from Chile . Water was distributed through

168-906: A DuPont subsidiary in 1903, and operated under the DuPont name after 1906. Powder works wharf demolition begun in 1883 was completed before construction of the Neptune Casino at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in 1904.Upon the breakup of DuPont's control of explosives manufacturing in the United States, the manufacture of blasting explosives was assigned to Atlas Powder Company, while California Powder Works double-base smokeless powder patents were assigned to Hercules Powder Company's smokeless powder manufacturing facility at Kenvil, New Jersey . DuPont retained manufacture of black powder and single base smokeless powders including

252-490: A breakup of its explosives and gunpowder manufacturing business. The breakup resulted in the creation of two new companies in 1912, Atlas Powder Company and a second Hercules Powder Company. The new Hercules Powder Company contributed significantly to the production of explosives during both World Wars. By the Second World War, the plant had diversified to produce fertilizers and other chemical products. Eventually

336-470: A citywide noise mitigation plan. Heavy development as a suburb continued through the 1980s through the present day. The town's population grew rapidly in the last decades of the 20th century. Per United States Census Bureau data, what was sleepy town of 252 in 1970 grew nearly 24-fold into a town of 5,963 by 1980 which tripled again into a town of 16,829 by 1990. By 2000, the town began to level out to its current population of approximately 25,000. In 2000,

420-407: A community effort was required by residents of Santa Cruz to prevent fires from reaching powder magazines closer to the city. The explosion caused apprehension among Santa Cruz residents about the safety of operating the powder works so close to the city. Santa Cruz County closed the powder works school and required powder works employee housing facilities to be vacated. California Powder Works became

504-468: A female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.46. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

588-673: A few horse dog-friendly and mountain biking trails, and shopping at the Mountain Parks Nature Store await visitors to this park. Next door to the main parking lot is the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad . There are over 15 miles (24 km) of hiking trails, some of which lead to small, isolated sandy beaches on the San Lorenzo River, and others with overlook views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with peeks at Monterey Bay. The park has

672-568: A good environment for the study of different habitats. Habitats in this park, often changing back and forth within a few hundred feet of one another, include riparian, sandhill community, mixed evergreen, and redwood forests. Anglers fish for steelhead and salmon during the winter. There is a picnic area overlooking the San Lorenzo River. Besides roads, the park may also be reached by the Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway . Tent and RV camping with no hook ups are available several miles from

756-399: A more modern visitor center , which is open year-round to the public, and is staffed by California Parks employees and volunteer docents. Additionally, the Mountain Parks Nature Store is open during most park hours, and there is a direct entrance from the park's main parking lot to the grounds of Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. The Redwood Grove comprises old-growth "virgin" redwoods,

840-705: A non-contiguous extension in the Fall Creek area north of Felton. The 4,623-acre (1,871 ha) park was established in 1953. The main park covers approximately 1,750 acres (7.1 km ), and the separate Fall Creek (not to be confused with the Fall Creek farther north in San Mateo County) unit contains an additional 2,390 acres (9.7 km ). The park lies within the southern end of the Northern California coastal forests ecoregion. In

924-464: A population of 24,060. The population density was 1,323.5 inhabitants per square mile (511.0/km ). The racial makeup of Hercules was 5,302 (22.0%) White , 4,547 (18.9%) African American , 102 (0.4%) Native American , 10,956 (45.5%) Asian , 101 (0.4%) Pacific Islander , 1,564 (6.5%) from other races , and 1,488 (6.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,508 persons (14.6%). The Census reported that 24,005 people (99.8% of

SECTION 10

#1732772779084

1008-660: A significant and decisive role in the United States Army's efforts to contain the fires started by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , as recounted by General Funston . In 1911, the United States won a lawsuit that it had brought against the Du Pont corporation under the Sherman Antitrust Act . The U.S. Circuit Court in Delaware found that Du Pont had been operating an unlawful monopoly, and ordered

1092-690: A specially patented (1874) formulation of dynamite, in turn named after the Roman hero . It began as the California Powder Works with locations in Golden Gate Park and Santa Cruz, California , but the expansion of San Francisco forced the company to find a more remote location for the dangerous process of manufacturing explosives. Hercules's isolated location at the time, plus its proximity to rail and water transportation along San Pablo Bay , made it an ideal choice. In 1879,

1176-595: Is a state park of California , United States, preserving mainly forest and riparian areas in the watershed of the San Lorenzo River , including a grove of old-growth coast redwood. It is located in Santa Cruz County , primarily in the area between the cities of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley , near the community of Felton and the University of California at Santa Cruz . The park includes

1260-410: Is also Historic US 40 , which was the predecessor to I-80) and Refugio Valley Road which runs in a northwest–southeast direction along Refugio Creek . The city has a predominantly suburban character dominated by two story detached and attached homes and one story commercial buildings divided into various subdivisions along well landscaped roads. The waterfront, which has a planned rail/ferry station,

1344-442: Is an 18-hole golf course at the east side of the city. The San Francisco Bay Trail runs right along Hercules' waterfront. The urban centers of Oakland and San Francisco are 18 and 22 miles away respectively. Wine Country ( Napa and Sonoma ) is roughly a half hour drive to the north. Hercules has a diverse population. Per 2015 Census data, the town's population is 45.5% Asian, 22% White, 18.9% Black, and 14.6% Hispanic. 32.0% of

1428-418: Is insufficient to cushion the many large, sharp rocks on the pool's bottom and, as such, diving is not permitted. Likewise, alcohol, dogs, fires, and glass containers are also prohibited in the area. The northern extension of Henry Cowell State Park, called Fall Creek Unit, contains over 20 miles (30 km) of hiking trails, mostly along the creeks that flow year-round and make beautiful mini waterfalls during

1512-765: Is zoned for higher density transit oriented development with community retail, and a number of 3 to 5 story mixed-use developments have been constructed there since 2015. The portion inland of Highway 80, which extends 4 miles inland mainly gently rolling hills along Refugio Valley Road, is primarily suburbs built between the 1970s and 1980s. It includes neighborhoods known to the locals as “the Birds”, “the Trees and Flowers”, “the Gemstones”, “the Astronauts”, and “the Islands”, per

1596-664: The 2020 census , its population was 26,016, according to the United States Census Bureau . The site of Hercules was first developed in 1881 as a manufacturing facility of the California Powder Works for the production of its patented dynamite formulation, Hercules powder. In 1882, the Hercules Powder Company was incorporated and assumed responsibility for the Hercules site. It was one of several explosive manufacturers that were active along

1680-660: The Burlington Northern railroads (formerly the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe Railway) have rail lines that pass through Hercules; however with the demise of industry Hercules no longer has a direct rail connection. However, a new Hercules station is planned that will provide a stop along the Capitol Corridor line, the first phases of which were constructed by 2018. An environmental study

1764-606: The County of Santa Cruz to buy and preserve their pristine redwood lands, an action finally approved of, in large part thanks to the work of California Lieutenant Governor , the Hon. William Jeter , in 1930. Eventually philanthropist Samuel Cowell, aged 90, last of the Cowell line, (and endower for Cowell Hall at the University of San Francisco ), donated the rest of what became the Park to

SECTION 20

#1732772779084

1848-508: The Hercules Powder Company off as an independent company in 1912. The explosives manufactured at Hercules played a significant and decisive role in the United States Army 's efforts to contain the fires started by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , as recounted by General Funston . Between the 1890s and 1970s, Hercules was a company town of several hundred people. 36 buildings from this era still exist and were nominated to

1932-783: The John Swett Unified School District . The JSUSD serves the Foxboro area (east of Interstate 80 and north of State Route 4 ) and the WCCUSD serves the rest of the city. The Contra Costa County Library System operates the Hercules Public Library. Hercules is at the intersection of I-80 and State Route 4. I-80 is an interstate that is the principal route between San Francisco and Sacramento. Highway 4 lead to I -680 which provide access to Concord, California , Walnut Creek, California and

2016-521: The National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Per this application, “Hercules was the area’s most desirable community to live in” with well-kept homes, a (male only) clubhouse, lighted tennis courts, and hospital. However, all residents were company employees. Although Chinese workers were a large component of the company workforce before the 1910s, they were excluded from residency in the town beyond dormitories provided for them. By 1917,

2100-568: The South Pacific Coast Railroad was built. The powder works wharf was unused after 1882 when railroad freight rates encouraged use of wharves in San Francisco Bay . A railroad wharf constructed near the powder works wharf in 1875 was made available for powder works freight until at least 1892 and was not demolished until 1922. Two Victorian mansions were built on a bluff overlooking the powder works as homes for

2184-522: The Tri-Valley Area. Per 2015 Census Data, 90% of Hercules’ workforce commutes via automobile to work, the average commute time is 39 minutes. Public transportation is available through the WestCat bus system. The operator provides local and school buses throughout Hercules and to the neighboring cities of Rodeo , Pinole , and Richmond among other areas. WestCat also offers express buses to

2268-495: The 1970s, Hercules was one of the first cities in the United States to develop a comprehensive Noise Element of the General Plan. This work included the production of noise contour maps for all major highways and arterial roads, as well as a citywide mitigation plan. Considerable study has been made of the heavy metal lead accumulated as upper layer soil contamination from prior air pollution smokestack emissions from

2352-489: The 1980s and continues to be the town's largest employer. Starting in the 1970s Hercules created and has continuously updated its master plan to further its development. During the 1970s, Hercules was one of the first cities in the United States to develop a comprehensive Noise Element of the General Plan. This work included the production of noise contour maps for all major highways and arterial roads , as well as

2436-524: The Bay/New Pacific. Hercules has a mild Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification Csb or "Warm-summer Mediterranean"), consistent with much of the northern San Francisco Bay Area . As Hercules is more inland, it is generally warmer than communities closer to the Golden Gate . Average rainfall is 23.35” concentrated from November to March. The average July high is 71 degrees and

2520-479: The California Powder Works by that time, the DuPont corporation and Laflin & Rand Powder Company acquired the rights to manufacture Hercules powder and incorporated the Hercules Powder Company for that purpose. In 1904, Du Pont dissolved this first Hercules Powder Company as part of its ongoing effort to consolidate the many explosives manufacturers that it controlled. California Powder Works

2604-461: The California Powder Works operations from this era. The great explosion of 1898 started in the smokeless powder plant at 5:15 PM on April 26. Santa Cruz was rocked by a series of heavy explosions which killed 13 men at the powder works and injured 25 more. Windows were broken in Santa Cruz, and flaming debris fell on Mission Hill. Many buildings used to house company employees were set afire and

California Powder Works - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-614: The California Powder Works operations. In 1966 the Pacific Refinery company started operation on the shores of Hercules and served as large employer until its closure in 1995. Its demise marked the end of 114 years of heavy industry in Hercules. The land the refinery was located on was redeveloped as the Victoria by the Bay subdivision in early 2000s. Biorad , a Fortune 500 biotech company established its headquarters in Hercules in

2772-483: The City of Hercules chartered an urban-design-based land use planning effort. This plan attempted to balance the preservation of the city's undeveloped land against continued suburban sprawl and to redevelop the city's formerly industrial waterfront. The resulting plan directs that Hercules be turned into a transit-oriented , pedestrian-friendly , mixed-use town. Several new developments were started in that era based on

2856-578: The Fall Creek Unit. During the 1830s and 40s, when California was still part of Mexico , large land grants were created, called "ranchos" . The lands now included in the State Park were once parts of three different ranchos . Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo , Rancho Zayante and Rancho Carbonera . By 1865, most of the former rancho lands had been subdivided. Industrialist Henry Cowell purchased 6,500 acres (26 km ) of

2940-578: The Hercules plant had become the largest producer of TNT in the country. During both World Wars Hercules Powder Company, along with Giant Powder Works in neighboring Pinole , supplied the U.S. Navy with explosives through the Port Chicago Magazine (location of the infamous Port Chicago disaster in 1944) which became the now closed Concord Naval Weapons Station . By the 1940s, Hercules organized its own law enforcement department and longtime Hercules Powder Company employee William Darke

3024-656: The John C. Fremont tree (a tree hollowed out by fire that was once used as a resort honeymoon room). Next to the park's entrance kiosk, all three known types of redwood trees, the Coast Redwood , the Giant Sequoia , and the Dawn Redwood (the latter two not native to the area) are planted together, providing a unique place to instantly compare and contrast the members of this family of trees. This park provides

3108-643: The Pinole shoreline in the late 19th to the mid-20th century. The small company town that grew up near the facility subsequently became known as "Hercules", and was incorporated at the end of 1900. Starting in the 1970s, Hercules was heavily redeveloped as suburban bedroom community that lies along the I-80 corridor in Western Contra Costa County . It has a very ethnically diverse population. Contra Costa County ’s first inhabitants arrived in

3192-543: The State, but only under the condition that Santa Cruz County also give up its nearby portion of the land ( Big Trees Park ) to the State so that it could all be managed together. Thus, the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was officially created on August 15, 1954 . The separate Fall Creek unit was added later. In February 1973, serial killer Herbert Mullin killed 4 teens who were camping at

3276-533: The area six to ten thousand years ago, including the Bay Miwok people and the Huichin Ohlone People; however there were no known significant settlements in the Hercules area. The land that would become Hercules was part of a tract of land known as “Pinol y Cañada del Hambre” which was granted in 1823 to Ygnacio Martinez (for whom the city of Martinez, California was named) for his service as

3360-553: The average January low is 43 degrees. Hercules has over 98 acres of parkland in six parks created as part of its master planning effort, the most central being Refugio Valley Park, and has over 950 additional acres of open space. Hercules is also close to several regional nature preserves including Point Pinole Regional Shoreline , Crockett Hills Regional Park , Carquinez Strait , Wildcat Canyon and Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve . Franklin Canyon Golf Course

3444-590: The city had only five murders. Another source, using the same data, classified Hercules as the 35th safest city in California in 2016, and 60th in 2017. In 2017, Hercules had 14,293 registered voters with 8,406 (58.8%) registered as Democrats, 1,743 (12.2%) registered as Republicans, and 3,703 (25.9%) decline to state voters. Hercules is served by two school districts: the West Contra Costa Unified School District and

California Powder Works - Misplaced Pages Continue

3528-405: The city was 27.98% White , 18.78% African American , 0.25% Native American , 42.73% Asian , 0.46% Pacific Islander , 4.47% from other races , and 5.33% from two or more races. 10.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 6,423 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had

3612-553: The city's redevelopment projects (the investigation focused on city manager Nelson Oliva who steered millions of city funds to himself and to a firm run by his relatives). Combined with the Great recession , this nearly bankrupted the city in the late 2000s. Later, new developments came in the market and the city repaired its financial condition. Hercules is located at 38°01′02″N 122°17′19″W  /  38.01722°N 122.28861°W  / 38.01722; -122.28861 , at

3696-530: The city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top 10 employers in the city are: Hercules has a council-manager form of government where five elected city council members appoint a city manager who runs the City administration. In the early years of Hercules, the council members were nearly always officers of the Hercules Powder Company. The five council seats are at large and served in four-year staggered terms. Elections are held

3780-466: The commandant of the Presidio of San Francisco . This grant was reconfirmed in 1842 as Rancho El Pinole . In 1848, this area became part of the United States with the rest of California. Contra Costa County was created in 1850 as one of California's original 27 counties. The Central Pacific Railroad (later part of Southern Pacific ) ran the first rail lines across Hercules’ waterfront in late 1878, as

3864-569: The company, backed by DuPont and the Laflin & Rand Powder Company created the Hercules Powder Company which purchased land for a new plant that opened in 1881. On December 15, 1900, town management incorporated the City of Hercules as it felt that the County Board of Supervisors had become less supportive of the plant. A post office was established in 1914. On USGS maps the place designation Herpoco (for Hercules Powder Company) along

3948-965: The county seat at Martinez , the El Cerrito del Norte BART station and the San Francisco Transbay Terminal . Its major hub is Hercules Transit Center . This had been the proposed location of a future Bay Area Rapid Transit station in BART's 20-year plan, but Hercules Mayor John Delgado and city council declined BART's request to fund a study, precluding the possibility of a BART stop. The closest international airports are Oakland International (29 miles) and San Francisco International Airport (35 miles). The closest general aviation facilities are Buchanan Field in Concord and Napa County Airport in Napa. The Southern Pacific and

4032-405: The facility was out-competed by foreign manufacturers, and the plant was closed in 1976. However, by this time the surrounding area was experiencing rapid growth as the commuter belt moved further outward from San Francisco. By the mid-1970s, home construction companies began to build new subdivisions and changed Hercules into the residential suburb as it was known up until the late 1990s. Back in

4116-625: The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which generally coincides with state and federal election days. In December, after any election the council selects from its own a Mayor and Vice Mayor which serve one-year terms. The City Council also appoint the city attorney , planning commissioners, community and library associations and others. Hercules has a generally low crime rate. Based on 2014 FBI Data, Hercules had 1.12 violent crimes per 1,000 and 13.27 property crimes per thousand, lower than national and state averages. Between 2000 and 2010,

4200-462: The former Rancho Cañada del Rincon en el Rio San Lorenzo , including 1,600 acres (6 km ) of forest, in 1865, adding to his quarrying and lime operations in the vicinity. A significant number of buildings in San Francisco were built using the redwood and limestone products from this area. In the 1920s the owners of a large resort adjacent to Henry Cowell's holdings raised support for

4284-415: The guns for which they were intended, including a 57mm QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss , a 6"/45 caliber Quick-Fire Rifle Model 1897, and an 8"/32 caliber Breech-Loading Rifle Model 1888. Shortly after the invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel in 1867, the newly-formed Giant Powder Company of San Francisco acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell it in the U.S. A special formulation of dynamite

SECTION 50

#1732772779084

4368-399: The land and Hercules began to transform into the bedroom community it is known as today. Eventually, the ammonia plant began to be outcompeted by foreign manufacturers, and this combined with labor issues, resulted in its permanent closure in 1976. Although Hercules Powder Company is now gone one legacy remains: a study has been made of upper layer soil contamination from prior emissions of

4452-478: The main Santa Cruz beach. The first bridge collapsed in 1871 and was replaced the following year by the covered bridge (now a National Historic Landmark ) still in use today built by the Pacific Bridge Company. The wharf was used to receive shipments of potassium nitrate and sulfur from Sicily . Horse-drawn wagons moved raw materials and gunpowder between the wharf and the powder works until

4536-468: The main entrance to the park. The Garden of Eden is a popular swimming hole in the San Lorenzo River within Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It is accessible via Ox Fire Road off Highway 9 and has a parking area located 0.75 miles south of the park's main entrance. This route requires approximately 1.5 miles of hiking, roundtrip, with an elevation change of 200 feet. The water depth at the Garden of Eden

4620-537: The main route for the Transcontinental Railroad was realigned via train ferry through the purpose-built town of Port Costa then to Richmond and Berkeley to connect at the Oakland Pier . The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad came through the area around 1899. The city's history was primarily shaped by the Hercules Powder Company , named after its main product “Hercules powder”,

4704-463: The mid-to-late 1800s for lumber and as fuel for the many lime kilns that used to operate in the area, such as the ones preserved at nearby Cowell Lime Works . Logging activities mostly ceased by the 1920s, and the second growth redwoods are now up to several feet in diameter. Both portions of the park have much to offer vacationing families or nature enthusiasts. Hiking, fishing (depending on season), seasonal camping (including RV), birdwatching, and

4788-400: The middle of Hercules in a northwest direction and empties at the shoreline. The town is bisected by Interstate 80 which runs parallel and roughly one mile inland from the coast. I-80 is the main highway between San Francisco and Sacramento and intersects California State Route 4 in the city limits. Major arterial roads include San Pablo Road which lies to the north of I-80 (this road

4872-416: The numerous stream canyons live large populations of coast redwood , coast Douglas fir , California bay laurel , tanbark oak , California hazelnut , bigleaf maple and many other native species. Up-slope from the redwood forest are found transitional tree species such as Pacific madrone , along with a stand of Ponderosa pine , rare at such a low elevation. Some of the highest and driest ridge slopes in

4956-478: The oldest trees of which are approximately 1,400–1,800 years old and grow to approximately 300 feet (91 m) tall and over 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter. Referred to by locals as "the loop," the grove is primarily a self-guided walk—but on most summer weekends, and many other times year-round, free guided walks led by docents or park employees are available. Featured on the loop are unique old-growth redwoods, including one with albino growth lignotubers and

5040-561: The opening of a new California Powder Works plant there, dedicated to the manufacture of Hercules powder. In 1881, the California Powder Works moved its Hercules powder manufacturing in California to a new site along the northeast shore of San Francisco Bay. The company town that grew up around the facility became known as "Hercules", later (1900) incorporated as Hercules, California . After initial purchases in 1868, DuPont had obtained 43% interest in California Powder Works by 1876. In 1882, thanks to their interlocking ownership interests with

5124-483: The original Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway right-of-way (now BNSF ), still remains. Explosives manufacturing was indeed a hazardous industry in that era: in the first 38 years of operations in Hercules, 59 lives would be lost including 24 in a large explosion in February 1908. Later, further deadly explosions would plague the plant in 1944, 1948 and 1953. The Sherman Antitrust Act would force Dupont to spin

SECTION 60

#1732772779084

5208-452: The park support fairly unusual chaparral communities known as " elfin forests " in addition to the rare and unique Santa Cruz Sandhills community. The old-growth grove of coast redwood, approximately 40 acres (16 ha) in size, is located entirely in the original section of the park, surrounded by many species of fern and plentiful redwood sorrel . Surrounding areas, including the non-contiguous Fall Creek unit, were logged extensively in

5292-511: The plan, including the Central Waterfront around the historic core of Hercules and Victoria by the Bay. However, the development of Hercules has not been without its challenges. In a national story in 2006, Hercules strongly opposed Walmart 's attempt to build a new supercenter store on 17-acre (69,000 m ) property overlooking San Pablo Bay as many residents deemed it incompatible with the waterfront redevelopment project, and it

5376-438: The population is foreign born. Per 2014 US Census data, the median household income in the city was $ 101,018, and the median income for a family was $ 113,658, which would put much of Hercules’ population in the upper middle class or “ mass affluent ” categories. Males had a median income of $ 66,348 and females had a median income of $ 59,517. The per capita income for the city was $ 37,247. About 4.0% of families and 5.1% of

5460-638: The population were below the poverty line , including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over. Hercules is primarily a suburban community, but is the headquarters of Bio-Rad , a Fortune 500 biotech company which as of 2017 had 7,800 employees worldwide and $ 2.1 billion in revenue. The company is located in the North Shore Business park which includes over 1.1 million square feet of industrial and R&D space. The community has an additional 210,000sf of retail and office space in three neighborhood shopping centers. According to

5544-399: The population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of persons under age 18 and 3.2% of those 65 or over. Per the same dataset, 42.7% of Hercules residents were college educated. 46.0% of residents were employed in management, business and arts occupations, 27.2% in sales and office occupations, and 14.3% in service occupations. The 2010 United States Census reported that Hercules had

5628-642: The population) lived in households, 17 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 38 (0.2%) were institutionalized. There were 8,115 households, out of which 3,175 (39.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,675 (57.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,250 (15.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 371 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 344 (4.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 66 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 1,482 households (18.3%) were made up of individuals, and 449 (5.5%) had someone living alone who

5712-735: The powder being manufactured for the United States Navy. When the Panama Canal simplified transport to the Pacific Fleet, DuPont consolidated production facilities in New Jersey and terminated operations at Santa Cruz in 1914. Powder mill facilities were dismantled, and the property was sold in 1924. The two mansions occupied by powder works superintendents were abandoned and razed in the 1930s. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

5796-404: The powder works by a system of flumes later dismantled when electricity became available to power the wheel mills. Charcoal was manufactured locally using redwood fuel to char willow , madrone and alder . To facilitate transport and shipping, the company built a bridge across the river (the first bridge can be seen in an early panoramic lithograph, viewable online) and purchased a wharf off

5880-491: The powder works superintendents. Company housing was available for powder mill workers, and a school opened nearby for their children. California Powder Works began producing smokeless powder for firearms ammunition in the early 1890s. Peyton Powder , prepared at Santa Cruz under the direction of assistant superintendent William Peyton, had an unusual addition of ammonium picrate to the conventional double-base formulation of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine . Peyton Powder

5964-573: The rainy season (November–March). There is also an 18-hole Disc Golf course, Black Mouse, run by a local school (Nature Academy). Along Fall Creek are the ruins of a 19th-century lime manufacturing operation, including a quarry and lime kilns built by I.X.L. Lime Company (established in 1874). The lime works were later acquired by industrialist Henry Cowell. The Fall Creek in Santa Cruz County originates near Empire Grade Road, and flows 4–5 miles South and South-East before it meets San Lorenzo River, east of Highway 9. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed in

6048-730: The southeast shore of the San Pablo Bay . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47 km ), of which, 6.2 square miles (16 km ) is land and 12.0 square miles (31 km ) (65.87%) is water. Hercules is on the southeastern shores of San Pablo Bay , roughly 4 miles southwest of the Carquinez Bridge . By road, Hercules is roughly 12 miles north of Berkeley, California , 18 miles north of Oakland and 22 miles northeast of San Francisco . The shoreline at this location runs northeast to southwest. Refugio Creek runs through

6132-486: The state park. In 1981 it became a crime scene again when serial killer David Carpenter shot a hiking couple, killing the female hiker. Hercules, California Hercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California . Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay , it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area , about 10 miles (16 km) north of Berkeley . As of

6216-467: The street naming conventions of each subdivision. The portion near the shoreline, somewhat flatter but still rolling terrain, was developed starting in the 1980s and has some of the town's newer developments including the Waterfront centered around the historic old town, Olympian Hills (which uses Greek mythical figures for its street naming convention), Hercules by the Bay, Village Park and Victoria by

6300-411: Was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males. According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $ 88,966, and the median income for a family was $ 93,294. Males had a median income of $ 50,672 versus $ 40,433 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 27,699. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of

6384-412: Was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males. There were 8,553 housing units at an average density of 470.5 units per square mile (181.7 units/km ), of which 8,115 were occupied, of which 6,450 (79.5%) were owner-occupied, and 1,665 (20.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3%; the rental vacancy rate

6468-468: Was 6.2%. 19,067 people (79.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,938 people (20.5%) lived in rental housing units. As of the census of 2000, there were 19,488 people, 6,423 households, and 4,997 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,008.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,161.5/km ). There were 6,546 housing units at an average density of 1,010.5 units per square mile (390.2 units/km ). The racial makeup of

6552-417: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96. There were 6,296 families (77.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.38. The population was spread out, with 5,481 people (22.8%) under the age of 18, 2,064 people (8.6%) aged 18 to 24, 6,512 people (27.1%) aged 25 to 44, 7,473 people (31.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,530 people (10.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

6636-421: Was likewise dissolved on January 1, 1907. Thereafter, its facilities were operated under the DuPont name. Explosive powder manufacturing was an extremely dangerous endeavor at the time, and uncontrolled explosions were frequent. Hercules's isolated location at the time, plus its proximity to rail and water transportation along San Pablo Bay , made it an ideal choice. The explosives manufactured at Hercules played

6720-591: Was named sheriff , becoming its first officer. After World War II the company began to diversify its production line and build an anhydrous ammonia plant, a base for fertilizer. Explosive manufacturing was discontinued in Hercules in 1964 (neighboring Giant Powder stopped its operations in 1960). In 1974, the cessation of explosives production allowed hundreds of acres of protective “buffer” land (separated by large stands of eucalyptus trees, many of which still stand) to be reused for other purposes. Starting in 1974, real estate development companies began to develop

6804-399: Was patented in 1874 by J. W. Willard, superintendent of the California Powder Works in Santa Cruz. He called his invention "Hercules powder", a competitive jab at rival Giant Powder Company, as the mythological Hercules was known as a giant slayer. The California Powder Works thereafter became the only manufacturer of Hercules powder. In 1877, J.W. Willard moved to Cleveland, Ohio to oversee

6888-631: Was prismatic brown powder , and the works later obtained a license to produce The United States Navy 's patented nitrocellulose smokeless powder. Both powders were used by the Pacific Fleet and the Asiatic fleet , and for Pacific harbor and coast defense. The powder works operated a proving ground at Santa Cruz beginning 1892 using guns provided by the United States Inspector of Ordnance. Individual powder lots were test fired in

6972-508: Was selected by the United States Army in 1893 for early cartridges for the new Krag–Jørgensen service rifle. The powder works also produced CPW Smokeless powder and loaded shotgun ammunition marketed as Native Son Cartridges after the army adopted W.A. powder in 1896 to avoid cartridge case corrosion caused by picric acid in the Peyton Powder . California Powder Works manufactured powder for naval artillery . Initial production

7056-490: Was unneeded due to the close proximity of two other Walmarts in Richmond and Vallejo . On May 23, 2006, the Hercules city council voted unanimously to use its power of eminent domain to prevent Wal-Mart from building the supercenter. In 2009, the city purchased the land back from Walmart. In 2012, a state audit found that the City of Hercules had spent nearly $ 50 million on “questionable transactions” primarily centered on

#83916