32°48′11″N115°26′51″W / 32.80306°N 115.44750°W /32.80306; -115.44750
Meloland | |
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  Meloland Location in California Show map of California Meloland Meloland (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:32°48′11″N115°26′51″W / 32.80306°N 115.44750°W /32.80306; -115.44750 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Imperial County |
| Elevation | −52 ft (−16 m) |
Meloland is an unincorporated rural community inImperial County,California.[1] It is located on theHolton Interurban Railroad east ofEl Centro and 4 miles (6.4 km) west ofHoltville.[2] Prior to settlement, the location was known asGleason[3] orGleason Switch.[4]
Agricultural development of the area began on October 1, 1907, when R. P. Shepherd established the 280 acre "Rancho Meloland". The developers envisioned subdividing the surrounding lands, with Meloland to serve as a hub after obtaining a railway switch and station, general store, telegraph service, and packing facilities.[5][6] A post office, store, and packing warehouse were in fact established in 1908,[7][8] although the latter two buildings burned down soon after construction, with two workmen narrowly escaping the blaze.[9] A month later, Shepherd sold the land holdings to J. R. Loftus.[10]
Earlier in 1908, Shepherd had sold 40 acres to writerHarold Bell Wright,[11] who built a house and artist's retreat on the property, which he called "Tecolote Rancho".[12] Here he wroteThe Calling of Dan Matthews,The Winning of Barbara Worth, andThe Eyes of the World. In the accounts of some area pioneers, it was Wright himself who gave the settlement its name, when a local observed him sift the soil and remark, "this is mellow land".[12]
In 1909, a daughter was born to J. R. Loftus and his wife, the first baby to be born in Meloland.[4] The post office closed in 1911.[2] The population was listed as 10 in 1910, 20 in 1920 and 1930, 15 in 1940, and 50 in 1965.[4]
TheUniversity of California Agriculture and Natural Resources's Desert Research and Extension Center is located at Meloland, and has been operating there since 1912.[13]
Municipalities and communities ofImperial County, California,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservations | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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