Weimar, California Explained

Weimar
Settlement Type:Unincorporated community
Pushpin Map:California#USA
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in California
Pushpin Image:California Locator Map with US.PNG
Unit Pref:US
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Placer County
Coordinates:39.0375°N -120.9725°W
Elevation M:688
Elevation Ft:2257
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:95739, 95713
Area Code:530
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:237401[1]

Weimar (formerly, "New England Mills" or "Weimer") is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California, located in the Sacramento area. Weimar is located 4.5miles south-southwest of Colfax. As of 2010, its population is 209.

History

The Weimar post office opened in 1866. An explanation of the town's name comes from the Geisendorfer family; descendants of George Geisendorfer, founder of the town. George Geisendorfer was born in the area of Weimar, Germany. Many of the original inhabitants of Weimar (New England Mills) were also of German descent. Members of the town, and the Geisendorfer family, have testified that George Geisendorfer himself decided to rename the town “Weimar” when the post office rejected the original name of New England Mills. In April, 1919, in the wake of the end of World War I, a resolution was introduced in the California State Senate to change the town's name to Argonne. The resolution was defeated after the local senator insisted the name was not German, but actually came from Weimah, a chief of the Grass Valley tribe of Southern Paiute Native Americans, who had been hospitable to the area's first white settlers. The senator further stated that postal authorities had misspelled the name.[2]

Geography

By car, Weimar is about 80 minutes from Reno, Nevada and about one hour northeast of Sacramento, California on east I-80. It is directly adjacent to Interstate 80. Amtrak stops at Colfax, California which is about 5 miles east on I-80 past Weimar. The elevation is about 2300–2600 feet.

Climate

Weimar has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa).[3]

There are cool winters during which intense rainfall with occasional days of snow. It has hot, dry summers with no rainfall in July and August.

Snow in Weimar occasionally falls due to its higher latitude, averaging 10.23NaN3 per year, mostly in winter months.[4]

Average December temperatures are a maximum of and a minimum of . Average July temperatures are a maximum of and a minimum of . The record high temperature was . The record low temperature was .

Average annual precipitation is 46.9inches. There are on average 77.9 days with measurable precipitation.

Weimar's Köppen classification and climate similarities to locations such as Napa, California and parts of Italy make it a suitable region for growing wine grapes. Weimar and the surrounding areas of Placer County are home to over 20 wineries.[5]

Demographics

Its ZIP code is 95736 and its area code 530.

As of 2010, its population is 209.

Education

The former Weimar Sanitorium, a Tuberculosis treatment hospital, is now Weimar Institute, home to the NEWSTART Lifestyle Program. The Institute also includes Weimar College, and Weimar Academy, a boarding school for high school students, both associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is also home to the Weimar Hills Public School,[6] which offers grades 4th through 8th.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  2. "'Argonne' Urged to Replace Name of Weimar, Ca.", San Francisco Examiner, 11 April 1919, p. 4
  3. Web site: Mediterranean Climate. Wikipedia. 22 July 2020.
  4. Web site: Zip 95736 (Weimar, CA) Climate. July 22, 2020.
  5. Web site: Wineries and Tours in Gold Country. www.visitplacer.com. April 8, 2018.
  6. Web site: WHS - About.