Likely, California
Encyclopedia
Likely is a census-designated place
in Modoc County
, California
. It is located near the South Fork of the Pit River
18 miles (29 km) south of the county seat
of Alturas
, at an elevation of 4449 feet (1356 m).
Located 6 miles north-northwest of Likely Mountain, it is somewhat sheltered from prevailing southwesterly winds, and its microclimate
is noticeably dryer and less stormy than surrounding areas.
The ZIP Code
for the community is 96116.
, in the south end of South Fork Valley, in the northeastern corner of California at 41°13′50"N 120°30′15"W. Fragments of the southern edge of the Modoc Plateau
surround Likely on most sides.
(Pit River) village known as Hamawe or Hammawi. The town was initially known as South Fork, named after the South Fork of the Pit River, and was renamed at the insistence of the United States Post Office, which insisted at that time that Post Offices could only have one-word names. Residents were unable to agree what to name their town until a local rancher observed that they would most likely never agree upon a name, at which point someone nominated the name, "Likely", and the name was voted in. The South Fork post office operated from 1878 to 1882. The Likely post office opened in 1886.
One of the last of the American Indian Wars
was fought at Infernal Caverns
, a short distance from Likely.
A 1913 book described Likely as having a population of 75, and situated along the main automobile route from Madeline
to Bayley
.
The Likely Peat Moss Company, Radel Inc. operated in Likely until 1987 when the non-renewing supply of high quality hypnum peat moss in nearby Jess Valley was depleted. The peat moss was strip-mined from the floor of Jess Valley and trucked 13 miles to Likely on the winding canyon road paralleling South Fork Pit River between Likely and Ivy, California
. The peat moss was processed and packaged and then shipped by both truck and by Southern Pacific Railroad until rail services to Likely were discontinued. The company, Radel, was dissolved in 1987 upon the owner's retirement.
, the CDP covers an area of 1.3 square miles (3.5 km²), 99.66% of it land, and 0.34% of it water.
was 47.2 people per square mile (18.2/km²). The racial makeup of Likely was 57 (90.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 5 (7.9%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 0 (0.0%) from other races
, and 1 (1.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6 persons (9.5%).
The Census reported that 63 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 34 households, out of which 4 (11.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17 (50.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 3 (8.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1 (2.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 11 households (32.4%) were made up of individuals and 8 (23.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85. There were 21 families
(61.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.29.
The population was spread out with 5 people (7.9%) under the age of 18, 2 people (3.2%) aged 18 to 24, 7 people (11.1%) aged 25 to 44, 24 people (38.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 25 people (39.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59.1 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
There were 46 housing units at an average density of 34.5 per square mile (13.3/km²), of which 29 (85.3%) were owner-occupied, and 5 (14.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 37.5%. 55 people (87.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8 people (12.7%) lived in rental housing units.
Likely is located in the 1st Senate
District, represented by Republican
Dave Cox
, and in the 2nd Assembly
District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen
. Federally, Likely is located in California's 4th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +11 and is represented by Republican Dan Lungren
.
Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Modoc. Timber and peat moss industries collapsed in the 1980s due to increased costs and loss of railroad infrastructure.
The Likely Airport, about 3 miles west of town, is privately owned.
Internet access in Likely is limited to dial-up service, provided by High Desert Online and Frontier Communications.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
in Modoc County
Modoc County, California
Modoc County is a county located in the far northeast corner of the U.S. state of California, bounded by the state of Oregon to the north and the state of Nevada to the east. As of the 2010 census, its population was 9,686, up from 9,449 at the 2000 census. The current county seat is Alturas, the...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located near the South Fork of the Pit River
Pit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
18 miles (29 km) south of the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Alturas
Alturas, California
Alturas is the county seat of Modoc County, California, United States. Alturas is located on the Pit River, east of the center of Modoc County, at an elevation of 4370 feet...
, at an elevation of 4449 feet (1356 m).
Located 6 miles north-northwest of Likely Mountain, it is somewhat sheltered from prevailing southwesterly winds, and its microclimate
Microclimate
A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area. The term may refer to areas as small as a few square feet or as large as many square miles...
is noticeably dryer and less stormy than surrounding areas.
The ZIP Code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
for the community is 96116.
Geography
Likely lies on the south side of the South Fork of the Pit RiverPit River
The Pit River is a major river draining from northeastern California into the state's Central Valley. The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S...
, in the south end of South Fork Valley, in the northeastern corner of California at 41°13′50"N 120°30′15"W. Fragments of the southern edge of the Modoc Plateau
Modoc Plateau
The Modoc Plateau lies in the northeast corner of California as well as parts of Oregon and Nevada. It is a mile-high expanse of lava flows with cinder cones, juniper flats, pine forests, and seasonal lakes. The plateau is thought to have been formed approximately 25 million years ago...
surround Likely on most sides.
History
Likely now occupies what was originally an AchumawiAchomawi
The Achomawi are one of eleven bands of the Pit River tribe of Native Americans who lived in northeastern California, USA....
(Pit River) village known as Hamawe or Hammawi. The town was initially known as South Fork, named after the South Fork of the Pit River, and was renamed at the insistence of the United States Post Office, which insisted at that time that Post Offices could only have one-word names. Residents were unable to agree what to name their town until a local rancher observed that they would most likely never agree upon a name, at which point someone nominated the name, "Likely", and the name was voted in. The South Fork post office operated from 1878 to 1882. The Likely post office opened in 1886.
One of the last of the American Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
was fought at Infernal Caverns
Infernal Caverns
Infernal Caverns is the site of an 1867 battle between U.S. armed forces and Shoshone, Paiute, and Pit River Indians. Infernal Caverns Battleground is California Historical Landmark No. 16....
, a short distance from Likely.
A 1913 book described Likely as having a population of 75, and situated along the main automobile route from Madeline
Madeline, California
Madeline is an unincorporated community in Lassen County, California. It is located north-northeast of Susanville, at an elevation of 5321 feet ....
to Bayley
Bayley, California
Bayley is a former settlement in Modoc County, California. It was located on the Southern Pacific Railroad south of Alturas, at an elevation of 4383 feet ....
.
The Likely Peat Moss Company, Radel Inc. operated in Likely until 1987 when the non-renewing supply of high quality hypnum peat moss in nearby Jess Valley was depleted. The peat moss was strip-mined from the floor of Jess Valley and trucked 13 miles to Likely on the winding canyon road paralleling South Fork Pit River between Likely and Ivy, California
Ivy, California
Ivy is a former settlement in Modoc County, California. It was located on the stage coach line about midway between Eagleville and Likely, California at east of Likely by road.A post office operated at Ivy from 1899 to 1920 and from 1921 to 1922...
. The peat moss was processed and packaged and then shipped by both truck and by Southern Pacific Railroad until rail services to Likely were discontinued. The company, Radel, was dissolved in 1987 upon the owner's retirement.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP covers an area of 1.3 square miles (3.5 km²), 99.66% of it land, and 0.34% of it water.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Likely had a population of 63. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 47.2 people per square mile (18.2/km²). The racial makeup of Likely was 57 (90.5%) White, 0 (0.0%) African American, 5 (7.9%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 0 (0.0%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1 (1.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6 persons (9.5%).
The Census reported that 63 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.
There were 34 households, out of which 4 (11.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 17 (50.0%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 3 (8.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1 (2.9%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 0 (0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 11 households (32.4%) were made up of individuals and 8 (23.5%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.85. There were 21 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(61.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.29.
The population was spread out with 5 people (7.9%) under the age of 18, 2 people (3.2%) aged 18 to 24, 7 people (11.1%) aged 25 to 44, 24 people (38.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 25 people (39.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 59.1 years. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
There were 46 housing units at an average density of 34.5 per square mile (13.3/km²), of which 29 (85.3%) were owner-occupied, and 5 (14.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0%; the rental vacancy rate was 37.5%. 55 people (87.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 8 people (12.7%) lived in rental housing units.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Likely is located in the 1st Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Dave Cox
Dave Cox
David E. Cox was an American politician from Holdenville, Oklahoma. A Republican, he served as a California State Senator, representing the 1st district from December 2004 until his death in July 2010, and also served as an California State Assemblyman for the six years immediately before his...
, and in the 2nd Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Jim Nielsen
Jim Nielsen
James Wiley Nielsen is an American politician from California and a member of the Republican party. Nielsen served on the Yolo County Republican Committee before winning election to the California State Senate in 1978...
. Federally, Likely is located in California's 4th congressional district
California's 4th congressional district
California's 4th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. It covers the northeastern corner of California along Route 395, encompassing El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, and Modoc counties, as well as parts of Butte County...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +11 and is represented by Republican Dan Lungren
Dan Lungren
Daniel Edward "Dan" Lungren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district covers most of Sacramento County and part of Solano County, as well as all of Alpine, Amador and Calaveras counties...
.
Economy
The primary industries of Likely and its surroundings are currently ranching and tourism. A long-running joke among residents is that the Gross National Product of this part of Modoc County is (your choice of: rocks, junipers, or sagebrush).Local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments are the largest employers in Modoc. Timber and peat moss industries collapsed in the 1980s due to increased costs and loss of railroad infrastructure.
The Likely Airport, about 3 miles west of town, is privately owned.
Internet access in Likely is limited to dial-up service, provided by High Desert Online and Frontier Communications.
Notable residents
- WNBA basketball player Kayte ChristensenKayte ChristensenKayte Lauren Christensen is an American Color commentator and former professional basketball player who has competed internationally and for the Phoenix Mercury,Houston Comets and Chicago Sky in the WNBA....
attended elementary school in Likely, while living in the ghost town of Ivy, CaliforniaIvy, CaliforniaIvy is a former settlement in Modoc County, California. It was located on the stage coach line about midway between Eagleville and Likely, California at east of Likely by road.A post office operated at Ivy from 1899 to 1920 and from 1921 to 1922...
in Jess Valley, about 11 miles east of Likely.
- Betty Reid, Valedictorian Likely High School Class of 1934. Mrs. Elizabeth(Williams) Reid went on to become a teacher, family patriarch and beloved grandmother. She is known for having the most complete autobiographical sheep herding stories in all of Modoc County.