These collections are designed to be a creative, photojournalistic portrayal of the various towns and agriculture in our central valley of california. The central valley offers a variety of scenery, people, cultures, lifestyles and farming. The hope is that by journeying through this portfolio of images one gets a well rounded and truthful portrayal of our central valley and some of what it offers. The first collection entitled 'Central California Valley' features the various rural towns. The central california valley to which I refer covers the miles from Bakersfield to Modesto. The second collection entitled, 'Agriculture', is a collection of images depicting the rich agricultural fields, crops, dairy and farming here in this Valley. There's an interesting variety of cultures in this valley. Many have come here for the agricultural benefits. There is also a strong dairy industry here.
In addition, from south of Sacramento to the Bakersfield area, there have been many settlements and townships by African Americans who relocated to the Central California valley after the Civil War: to follow the Gold Rush: and due to the Dust Bowl era. These towns include Teviston, Fairmead, Centerville, Lanare, Allensworth, Cookseyville, South Dos Palos, Buttonwillow amongst others. Most of those towns have not prospered due to lack of water and jobs. The most successful township that became well populated and provided a comfortable lifestyle was Allensworth.
This settlement was near a railroad and was developed enough to have a lilbrary, post office, school, church, barbershop and a market. Again the lack of water and the death of the visionary, Col. Allensworth led to it's demise. It is now a California Park and tourist location.
California's central valley is a large, flat expanse that covers about 450 miles from north to south; almost 23,000 square miles. Many waterways are included; canals, delta, streams, sloughs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. Mountains border on all directions. There are a total of 19 counties involved; from north Sacramento to south San Joaquin. Population ranges around 6-7 million people and growth is rapid. The valley is thought to have originated below sea level. Sand can be found in many areas. Dinosaur and prehistoric fossils have been found in the Central California valley. The climate is mostly hot and dry during the summer and cool and damp in the winter. During the late fall and winter, usually after the first rainfall, the tule fog appears. The primary industries of most of the Central valley are agriculture and dairy. Many cultures have relocated to the valley due to the rich soil and agricultural productivity.
Highway 99 is the primary highway through the valley. It runs mostly north and south. Off highway 99 points out some of the interesting sites along that road.