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with its tree lined streets, is framed into the Coastal Mountain Range by beautiful views of Mt. St. Helena and Cobb Mountain. “Middletown CA”, is not just the town of Middletown, California. The 95461 Zip Code also includes part of Cobb Mountain and the community of Anderson Springs, and the Middletown, CA ZIP Code of 95467 encompasses Coyote Valley that includes the Hidden Valley Lake area. The Middletown California Unified School District includes even more area on Cobb Mountain and Coyote Valley. And the South Lake County Fire Protection District, whose headquarters is in Middletown, CA, is bigger still, encompassing 283 square miles. (See map) Although the population of Middletown, CA proper is small, the population of the Fire District is approximately 12,000. Middletown, CA sets at an elevation of 1,100 feet above sea level. It gets hot during the day in the summer but normally cools down as soon as the sun sets. We usually have one day of snow in the winter, unless you live on Cobb Mountain. We have a few days of fog but are insulated from the ocean fog by the mountains. Our growing season normally starts two weeks later than the Napa Valley’s but the harvest period arrives about the same time. We also enjoy the cleanest air in the State. We invite you to leave your hurried, stress filled life behind and visit Middletown, CA.

Allegheny Pacific Insurance Services Astro Events/Jump B & G Tires Backyard Garden Oasis Beulah's Kitchen Boar's Breath Restaurant And Oven Bower Chiropractic Bunk House C-21 Real Estate Calpine Corporation Carter and Carter Attorneys at Law Clover Lake County, Inc. Cobb Mountain Travel & Concierge Service Coldwell Banker Realty (real estate) Copy Shack Country Air Properties (real estate) Cowpoke Cafe Crave Coffeehouse & Espresso Corona Market Eagle & Rose Inn Of Middletown Ed B. & Company,  Real Estate Everything That Counts Photography Fergusson Cutlery Fidelity National Title Company (real estate transactions) Fox Creek Clothing Gracias Taqueria & Catering

Greenview Restaurant Guenoc & Langtry Estate Vineyard Happy Smiles Dentistry Harbin Hot Springs Hardester's Markets John Engels (Real Estate loans) Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant Hidden Valley Food Mart & Gas Hidden Valley Insurance Hidden Valley Lake Association Hidden Valley Lake Realty (real estate) Hidden Valley Lake Storage Hidden Valley Video Integrity Systems Investor’s Trust (real estate loans) Kann Du Construction Lake Appliance & Repair Lake County Title Company (real estate transactions) Lazy S Mobile Home Ranch Lincoln-Leavitt Insurance Maurice Kemp, Attorney At Law Menzio Tire Company Middletown (CA) Animal Hospital Middletown (CA) Antiques Middletown (CA) Barber Shop Middletown (CA) House Of Realty (real estate)

Middletown (CA) Pharmacy Middletown (CA) Times Star Minudri Insurance Services Moontide Mount Saint Helena Brewing Company Mugshots Espresso – Internet Café Neft & Neft Realtors (real estate) New York Life and NY Life Securities Noble's Saloon P & M Refrigeration, Heating Perry's Delicatessen & Catering Rob Roy Golf Course & Country Club Shangri La Shed Horn Cellars Shelley Weiser Bookkeeping And Tax Service Socrates Mining Company Antiques Star Gardens Nursery Store 24 & Gas Sylvies Fashions Women’s Apparel T & J Auto Parts Tony’s Valley Express Tri Counties Bank (real estate loans) Triple M Collective Twin Pine Casino Westamerica Bank (real estate loans) Wright Construction Yvette Sloan Realtor

OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF

MIDDLETOWN, LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By: Bill Wink

May, 2002

Lake County’s closest neighbor to the South is Napa County, where you find famous places like Calistoga and St. Helena and famous names like Beringer and Krug. State Highway 29 is the main artery through Napa County’s renowned Napa Valley, home to the before mentioned places and names, and is the same highway that brings travelers to Lake County and thus to Middletown. Middletown, at the Southern tip of Lake County and 5 miles from Napa County, is nestled into the heart of the old Mexican Land Grant, Callayomi in the Loconoma Valley. Interestingly, when the original California Counties were formed, the Callayomi Land Grant was in Napa County (see map) and there was no Lake County. Lake County was formed in May of 1861 absorbing areas previously in Napa, Colusa and Mendocino Counties.

Middletown became a town in 1870 and its first house was built that year. In 1871 the first business opened, as well as the new Post Office. Middletown was given its name because it is halfway between Lower Lake to the North and Calistoga to the South. Also the “Road to Lakeport” intersected the road to Lower Lake in the middle of Middletown.

Middletown has experienced various phases of rising and falling prosperity. Early on, Middletown and the surrounding areas were rapidly becoming a destination for those seeking the advertised “healing powers” of the hot springs. Many coaches with many famous passengers stopped at the “Lake County House” while on route to various spas like Harbin Hot Springs, Howard Springs and Seigler Springs. But the early years of Middletown’s economy was mainly driven by mercury (quicksilver) mining. The area being home to such mines as: The Great Western, the Helen, the Mirabel, the Oat Hill, the Socrates, the Bradford and more. After the end of the Second World War, the demand for mercury started its decline which eventually signaled the end to mining as an economic power. But by then, many new Resorts and Spas had been built in the surrounding area, and summer tourists and seasonal residents provided the economic boost needed to keep the area alive. The population would swell several fold during the summer months, thanks to places like Hoberg’s, Forest Lake, Whispering Pines, Cobb Mountain Lodge, Four Nicks, Gifford Springs, Pine Grove, River View Lodge, Adams Springs, Anderson Springs, Loch Lomond and Salmina’s, added to those Spas already mentioned, and then more. But by the late 1960s the hey-day of the summer resorts was fading rapidly. Next was the development of the geothermal steam fields. The Geysers area of Cobb Mountain and southwest is the largest geothermal energy producing area in the world, producing enough electricity to run the cities of San Francisco and Oakland. The development of this enormous geothermal energy project poured more money into the coffers and gave Middletown’s economy a huge boost. Today, Middletown’s economic engine is stabilized by the number of permanent residents who call the area home and by those who are drawn to the area to see family, explore the area, like the Geysers, or are on their way to Clear Lake and Konocti Harbor or any number of other places in Lake County.

The wine industry, that provides the economic engine for the surrounding counties, especially the Napa Valley, is making its presence felt today in Lake County through vineyard and winery development. However, this type development is nothing new to this area, as Middletown has a history of being a grape growing region. Probably the most touted, if not the most famous, historic grape grower and wine maker of the area, was the British Stage Actress, Lillie Langtry. Mrs. Langtry and her lover Freddie Gebhard, both owned property near Middletown, which at one time had been part of the Guenoc Land Grant, and there Mrs. Langtry successfully grew grapes and produced wine. Unfortunately, Mrs. Langtry’s opinion of Middletown fell far short of what one would consider complimentary. In her book, "The Days I Knew" by Lillie Langtry, copyright, 1925, By George H. Doran Company, on page 206, Mrs. Langtry writes; “Three miles away was a street of wooden shanties called Middleton, which boasted a general store, a bar, and a barber shop.” (One wonders how she missed the rest of town?)Today, the area once owned by Mrs. Langtry, boasts its own appellation, Guenoc Valley, and is home to a world famous winery housed in a “state of the art” facility. There are also plans in the works for Middletown’s first college to be located at Guenoc. 1,000 acres have been set aside for the development of the college on the North side of Butts Canyon Road in an area commonly known as McCain Canyon.

Grape growing was not then, and is not today, the only form of agriculture; there were successful cattle ranches, walnut orchards and a few pears. The two best known ranches were the “Diamond D” and “Guenoc”, Guenoc being the largest cattle ranch in the area with a cow and bull herd of over 3,000 at one period and encompassing somewhere near 22,000 acres. Today, however, Guenoc is no longer a cattle ranch, leaving the Diamond D as “the” cattle ranch in the area.

Middletown has a true “old west” history with highwaymen, hangings and shootouts on Main Street. The stagecoach would occasionally be robbed between Calistoga and Middletown and posses formed to look for the perpetrators. Some famous, or infamous, names were, Buck English, Black Bart, Tom Dye and George Coburn. Tom Dye murdered a man in Middletown in October, 1878 by the name of Bates. There is a huge boulder in the mountains above the Great Western called Tom Dye Rock where he supposedly hid out. Story is, Buck English who lived in Anderson Springs, shot a man between the eyes on the Main Street in Middletown. English was also known for his skill in separating people from their livestock and their money. George Coburn is of the same family as the people the “Coburn Tract” is named after. George was a petty thief who law enforcement tried over and over to catch. One fateful night a posse shot and killed George Coburn’s father during a confrontation while searching for the younger Coburn. Young Coburn disappeared into being a legendary character and when small items would disappear, some folks would comment, “George Coburn must be back”.

General Data About Middletown, CA

Area Code for Middletown, California – 707

Telephone prefix Middletown, CA – YUkon-7 987

ZIP Code(s) for Middletown, California – 95461 & 95467

Middletown, CA Area: 175.6 sq. miles

Public high schools in Middletown, California:

• Middletown (CA) High: Location: 20932 Big Canyon Road; Grades: 09 - 12
• Loconoma Valley High: Location: 21252 Jackson St.; Grades: 09 - 12

Public primary/middle schools in Middletown, CA:

• Coyote Valley Elementary: Location: 18950 Coyote Valley Road; Grades: Kg - 06
• Middletown (CA) Middle: Location: 15846 Wardlaw St.; Grades: 07 - 08
• Minnie Cannon Elementary: Location: 15846 Wardlaw St.; Grades: Kg - 06

Private primary/middle schools in Middletown, California:

• Middletown (CA) Christian School: Location: 20800 Hwy 29 \ Po Box 989; Grades: Kg - 7
• Middletown, (CA) SDA School: Location: 21640 Hwy 29 P.O. Box 429; Grades: 1 – 6

Hospitals & Doctors Serving Middletown, California:

· Middletown Medical Clinic, Middletown, CA

· Redbud Community, Clearlake, CA

· St. Helena Hospital, Deer Park, CA

· Sutter Lakeside, Lakeport, CA

Law Enforcement Serving Middletown California – Lake County Sheriff’s Department

Clubs and Organizations Serving Middletown, California

· Middletown (CA) Rotary Club

· Middletown (CA) Lions Club

· Middletown (CA) Lioness Club

· Middletown (CA) Fire Sirens

· Middletown (CA) - Hidden Valley Lake Milers

· Middletown (CA) Merchants Association

· Middletown (CA) Luncheon Club

· Middletown (CA) Central Park Association

· Middletown, CA – SLCFPD Volunteer Firefighter’s Association

Nearest City to Middletown, California – Calistoga 16 miles

Nearest County to Middletown, California – Napa 5 miles

Churches Serving Middletown, California:

· Middletown (CA) Bible Church

· Middletown (CA) United Methodist Church

· First Baptist Church of Middletown, CA

· Seventh Day Adventist Church Middletown, CA

· Hidden Valley Community Church

· Jesus Christ Fellowship Middletown, CA

· St. Joseph Catholic Church Middletown, CA

Newspaper – Middletown (CA) Times Star

County – Lake

County Supervisory District – 1

County Supervisor – Jim Comstock

County Seat – Lakeport

State Assembly District - 1

Assembly member – Wesley Chesbro

State Senatorial District - 2

State Senator – Pat Wiggins

United States Congressional District – 1

United States Congressman – Honorable Mike Thompson

IRS Publication 78 Charitable and Non-profits Registered in Middletown, CA

Anderson Springs Community Alliance (Until December 2006) Church of Shambhala Vajradhara Mait Reya Sangha Coyote Valley Parent Teacher Organization Eleusis Foundation (Until December 2007) Feed My Lambs Four Springs Seminars Friends of Middletown Gibson Library Friends of the I. Am Guenoc Valley College

Heart Consciousness Church Inc Jesus Christ Fellowship Lake County Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center (Until December 2004) Metaphorum Ministries Middletown (CA) Cobb Youth Basketball League Middletown (CA) Middle School Parent Teacher Student Organization (Until June 2008 ) Middletown (CA) Senior Citizens Inc. Middletown (CA) Sports Boosters Club

Middletown (CA) Wrestling Club New Age Opportunities Rancho Luna Azul Solutions for Today South Lake Fire Safe Council (Until June 2006 ) The Avataric Ruchirasala of Adidam Upper Putah Creek Stewardship (Until December 2004) Vision of Mulund Institute Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association

Created March 1, 2002

Updated constantly © March 1, 2002- www.middletownca.com

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· Guenoc gets their land back and Middletown gets the shaft

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· Scientist Engage In Hate Speech

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What is capitalism?

Laissez faire capitalism means the complete separation of economy and state, just like the separation of church and state. Capitalism is the social system based upon private ownership of the means of production which entails a completely uncontrolled and unregulated economy where all land is privately owned. But the separation of the state and the economy is not a primary, it is only an aspect of the premise that capitalism is based upon: individual rights. Capitalism is the only politico-economic system based on the doctrine of individual rights. This means that capitalism recognizes that each and every person is the owner of his own life, and has the right to live his life in any manner he chooses as long as he does not violate the rights of others.

What is the opposite of capitalism?

Statism, in any form.

Statism is the concentration of power in the state at the expense of individual freedom. Capitalism is the only system which protects individual rights and freedom, but the variety of political systems which violate individual freedom are numerous: socialism, communism, fascism, Nazism, absolute monarchies, military dictatorships, theocracies, or the welfare state are all systems which infringe upon individual rights, which means they institutionalize the initiation of force against their citizens.

It must be realized that there are only two fundamental political philosophies: those who are for freedom and individual rights and those who are against them. The types of political systems who are against freedom and individual rights are numerous, for there are many ways to violate the rights of man, but there is only one political-economic philosophy which upholds that the rights of man are absolute and immutable -- capitalism.

Is capitalism a just social system?

Yes.

In fact, capitalism is the complete embodiment of social justice. In social or political context justice means that every person gets no more, and no less, than what he gains through voluntary association with other men. A capitalist society is a just society because all individuals are considered equal under the law. Capitalism recognizes that it is just for a man to keep what he has earned and that it is unjust for a man, or group of men, to have the right to what other people have earned. Since all people must live independently under capitalism, all of the material values that a person acquires must be earned. Thus, the expression of social justice under capitalism is that what a man earns is directly proportional to what he produces, with no antitrust laws or progressive income taxes stifling his achievement for the sole fact the he did achieve. All other forms of government, such as the welfare state, institutionalize injustice by legally expropriating the property of some men and giving it to others.

Many people have trouble accepting that capitalism is a just system because of the existence of economic inequality. It is observed that famous celebrities and sports stars have very large incomes for work that is perceived as trivial, and that many hard working people make incomes which pale in comparison for jobs that are perceived to be a greater benefit to society. What people must realize is that it is perfectly just for a superstar athlete, even with little or no education, to make a hundred times the income of a scientist who has a Ph.D. and works much longer and strenuous hours. Why? Because the athlete creates enormous profits through ticket sales and product endorsements whereas the scientist generates very little revenue through his research. That is, each of them deserves what they earn, and what they earn is the result of how much wealth each of them creates (Incidentally, this is not to say that the athlete is morally superior to the scientist because he is wealthier). Since each man has the right to the product of his labor, it is completely just for the disparity in incomes to exist, and the only injustice to occur would be for the government to take money from the athlete and give it to those who supposedly deserve it on the basis of their "need."

YOUR CHANGING WORLD