Kevin Murray M.B.A.... Voice (925) 279-1190 FAX (925) 279-1191 E-Mail
Community - Profile
City
of Martinez
Population (1990): 31808 CENSUS STATS.
Location: 38.00075 N, 122.11452 W
Zip Code(s): 94553 94523 94549
HIGHLIGHTS: Martinez is experiencing a renewed popularity. Many of the climatic and geographical factors, which caused early settlers to form the town in the mid-nineteenth century, are driving this renaissance. During the 1990's the old high school was substantially replaced with new buildings, the county hospital was dramatically expanded, and many downtown buildings have been renovated. The old downtown area is dotted with trendy restaurants and antique shops.
Martinez benefits from an Amtrack station, a yacht harbor, an operating winery, a beautiful waterfront park, and minimal traffic congestion. It suffers, however, from the county jail, mental health facilities, pockets of run-down housing, and the proximity to several large refineries.
All in all Martinez offers an eclectic mix of old and new somewhat unique to the generally modern (sterile) suburban area of Contra Costa County.
HISTORY: Martinez was one of the early communities in Northern California settled by the Spanish ranchers in the 1830's. The actual town started in 1849, and it became the county seat of newly established Contra Costa County in 1850 (as it remains today). During the 1860's the town became an important grain port, and in the 1870's the headquarters of the salmon fishing fleet. It is rumored that a young Jack London hijacked the catches of immigrant fisherman on the waters off Martinez.
In 1879, the Christian Brothers bought land to build a school. The Brothers made wine from the grapes in the existing vineyards. This was the beginning of the Christina Brothers Wineries, which later relocated to the Napa Valley. In 1902 Loren Lassell began bottling water from a spring on his Alhambra Valley ranch, this was the origin of the Alhambra brand of bottled water.
Around the turn of the century (20th) several small oil refineries were built near Martinez. In 1916 the large Shell refinery began operation. These and other new industries set off a housing boom in Martinez.
John Muir lived in Martinez from 1890 to his death in 1914. His 17 room mansion is preserved as a National Historic Site. While living in Martinez, Muir accomplished many things: he battled to prevent Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, served as the first president and one of the founders of the Sierra Club
Joe Dimagio was born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio Jr. in Martinez, California, the son of Italian immigrants on November 25, 1914.
Martinez is served by the
following Airports:
City /
Airport, Distance, Direction, Travel Time H:M
Concord /
Buchanan, 5 km., E, 0:05
Napa / County Airport,
27 km., NW, 0:25
Oakland / Metro Oakland Int'l, 31 km., S, 0:30
San Francisco / Int'l, 47 km., SW, 0:45
San Jose / Int'l, 71 km., S, 1:10
Kevin Murray M.B.A.... Voice
(925) 279-1190 FAX (925)
279-1191 E-Mail
VANGUARD Real Estate Group +