STOCKTON – PLAGUED BY THE FINANCIAL AND REAL ESTATE CRISIS
Daring and risk-taking were a hallmark of Stockton when it was founded. In the course of its young history, this initially contributed to its success and later – probably inevitably – also to its problems.
According to ask4beauty, Stockton, which is located in the heart of San Joaquin County, California, is currently recovering from the financial and real estate crisis that hit the United States at the end of the last decade. The unemployment rate and the number of vacant buildings are still correspondingly high. But you work your way out of trouble with tenacity and lots of ideas. The proximity to the Pacific and San Francisco as well as the flourishing viticulture in the rural surroundings of the city, which today has a population of just under 320,000, are helpful here.
In Stockton, a German showed the flag when it was founded
Ever heard of Carl Weber? What is a household name in Germany earns the citizens of Stockton great respect. Carl David Weber, who later renamed himself Charles M. Weber, is the city’s founding father. Born in a small town in Rhineland-Palatinate in 1814, he emigrated to America with a cousin at the age of 22. There he fought in the Texas War of Independence and ended up being one of the first pioneers to cross the continent on the “California Trail”. Although California was still part of Mexico at the time, Weber settled in the area and bought large areas of land from the government. The investment was worth it. After California was ceded to the United States, more and more settlers came to the region.
Weber’s grain mill, his hotels and apartments, as well as his shoe and soap factories flourished. The fact that gold was found nearby at Sutter’s Mill further boosted the boom. Weber initially called his settlement Tuleburg, but later renamed it Stockton. With this he set a monument to the naval officer Robert F. Stockton. He had played a prominent role in the conquest of California.
Unfortunately, where there is light there is also a lot of shadow
Stockton’s positive development continued for over 150 years. The steadily rising real estate prices and a flourishing economy brought her good tax revenues. People built in those golden years. For example, the imposing promenade along the San Joaquin River, which still invites you to take a leisurely stroll. Various parks were created and youth centers were set up. Of course, all these projects could no longer be fully paid for. Instead, Stockton became the first major US city to officially go bankrupt. As a result, the city had to take a rigorous austerity course. The administration has been streamlined, as has the police. This in turn opened the door to crime, the quality of life and the city’s reputation suffered accordingly.
Arts and Culture
Stockton is not only safer again, but also more attractive. You can shop and enjoy in this city as diverse as in all other comparable large cities in the USA, and art and culture are not neglected either. A real recommendation is the Bob Hope Theater (242 East Main Street), where live music and Broadway plays come on stage. The theater holds over 2000 visitors who can take a seat on both comfortable and elegant velvet armchairs.
International art and local history are in the Haggin Museum (1201 North Pershing Ave, hagginmuseum.org) to see. The imposing museum is beautifully located in the middle of Victoria Park and shows works by Auguste Renoir in its permanent exhibition. Another focus is on the relatively young local history. The whole thing is complemented by various special exhibitions, concerts and events that always make a visit worthwhile. In fact, the Haggin Museum is likely to be described as “undervalued”. Those who visit Stockton really shouldn’t miss it.
Children come to the “Childrens Museum of Stockton” (404 West Weber Ave, childrensmuseumstockton.org) on your costs. There they not only learn how the world works in interactive exhibitions, they can also play and paint
Tips for trips
The mere fact that Stockton is in the middle of California suggests that you make a few trips from there. It’s not far to San Francisco, just as it is to the Pacific coast. In the north of the city, viticulture begins, which you can not only study in Lodi, but also taste. It’s worth spending an evening there or even a whole weekend. The gastronomy in Lodi has a good reputation among connoisseurs.
Stockton in a nutshell
- The city is located 140 kilometers east of San Francisco on the San Joaquin River in the US state of California
- The founding father was the German Carl David Weber
- The international financial crisis hit Stockton hard
- Great live concerts and Broadway performances can be found at the Bob Hope Theater
- The Haggin Museum offers international art and regional history
- Children are made happy with a visit to the Children’s Museum
