Vibrant town of Freedom in California once notorious as 'Whiskey Hill', characterized by a boisterous history.

Freedom, CA: Not Just a Sign as I Hit the Road

I was cruisin' on Highway 1 when I spied a green sign, all cheerful with an arrow pointing north and the word FREEDOM. Caught up in the moment, I snapped a mediocre cellphone pic before continuing homeward.

Last week, I penned about seekin' out towns with intriguing names for this newsletter, and Freedom—with a nearby population of roughly 3,000—was on my agenda.

Gustavo Arellano, colludin' colleague, fired me a message, "Whither Weed??" referring to another small California town with a fun name, Weed, population 2,500, in Siskiyou County. I reckon I haven't reported from there before, so I had to set things straight with Gustavo, "REVEAL YOUR SHAME!" he retorted. Alrighty then, here are a few colorfully named Cali spots I've hit up but ain't scored a dateline yet: Rough and Ready, Likely, Butt Valley, Hayfork, and you guessed it, Weed.

But I've nabbed dateline-worthy reports from Blackwell's Corner, Cool, Peanut, Weedpatch, and Volcano.

Now, onto Freedom. Apparently, it used to be known as Whiskey Hill, a place with a wild and rowdy past. Renowned for its rough crowd, bloody brawls, and wild bull and bear fights, Whiskey Hill could get a bit nasty, I reckon.

When the town became more civil, they changed the name to Freedom in 1877. While researching, I stumbled upon an interesting plaque on a building along Freedom Boulevard. Erected by the Order of E Clampus Vitus, it celebrates the town's checkered past.

To gain a deeper understanding of Freedom's transformation, I was fortunate to hear from Georg Romero, a historian for the Watsonville-based Pajaro Valley Historical Assn. He went through old newspaper articles, divulging details of the town's dark days in Whiskey Hill.

As folks settled in the area during the 1860s, the place boomed with saloons galore, serving plenty of "firewater." In one memorable gathering, someone took a bullet right through the head, only to be left for dead while the party went on.

Bear and bull fights were a crowd-pleaser, drawing folks willing to pay a dollar for a shaded seat or 50 cents for a spot in the sun. One historian even claimed that brass bands would play and clowns perform while the suffering animals battled it out.

Eventually, Whiskey Hill toned down, and a small group of locals held a meeting in a schoolhouse to discuss a more respectable name for their town—Freedom.

Today's Top Stories

Suspect Identified in Baldwin Park Shooting: Eduardo Roberto Medina-Berumen, 22, is the accused shooter who left two dead, including a Baldwin Park police officer, and two injured.
CEQA Overhaul: The California Environmental Quality Act faces its strongest overhaul in years, with urban housing projects exempted and weaker rules for other projects on the horizon.
Walt Disney's Robotic Return: Controversy swirls as Disney plans to resurrect Walt Disney as a robot in a new attraction, with his granddaughter suggesting it's crass.
Weather Warning: High winds, heavy rain, and lightning pose a threat to Southern California residents.

More Headlines

ICE Raids: Neighbors express concern after ICE agents in assault rifus and flash-bangs storm a neighborhood in Southern California.
Employee Layoffs: Disney announces more job cuts in the latest cost-saving move.
Lawsuit: Vietnamese American salon owners sue California, alleging discriminatory labor codes.
Supreme Court Ruling: The high court refuses to hear a challenge to blue-state assault weapon bans.
Eagle Flying the Nest: Say your goodbyes to Sunny, the famous Big Bear eaglet, moving on from his nest.

Commentary and Opinions

Sanctuary City List: Gustavo Arellano argues that the DHS' "sanctuary city" list is shaped more by politics than a genuine concern for public safety.
Public Health and Emmys: Michael Hiltzik sheds light on how the "Make America Healthy Again" report could harm public health and consumers.
Posthumous Emmy Chances: Glenn Whipp highlights why Linda Lavin could deserve an Emmy after her passing.
Democrats Meeting: Mark Z. Barabak recounts the animated gatherings among California Democrats as they map plans for 2024.
Newsom Prop. 36: George Skelton wants Newsom to respect Prop. 36, despite his reservations about the measure.

Readings for Your Day

Lifestyle: Skateboarding leads the way for a group of seniors looking to stay youthful and alive.
A Remaining Mystery Solved: A California teacher's murder from 47 years ago is finally solved, thanks to a student's relative speaking up.
In the Spotlight: Lauren Tsai and "The White Lotus" capture the zeitgeist in their HBO series.

Fun Stuff for Your Downtime

Eateries: Explore distinct duck dishes at Los Angeles restaurants, drawing inspiration from Thailand, Korea, and elsewhere.
Getaway Ideas: Why visiting LAX sometimes takes forever despite modern technology.

What's the best advice you've ever gotten from a father or father figure? Email us at [our email], and your response might appear here next week.

One Last Thing...

Today's beautiful photo features ACA Groves farm, where hope lies in saving the California avocado from extinction. It was snapped by Times photographer Robert Gauthier.

Cheers,Hailey Branson-Potts

P.S. Don't forget to follow the essential California team on Twitter: @essentialcal

My upcoming road trip will take me through the bustling city of Los Angeles, California.
I'm contemplating catching a music concert in the entertainment capital of the world.
In California, the issue of politics is frequently subject to heated debates and opinions.
As I drive through California, I'll pass by various towns with unique names, like Likely and Weed.
The town of Freedom, California was once known as Whiskey Hill and had a rough past filled with wild events.
Renaming the town Freedom in 1877 was an effort to transform its public image and move away from its lawless past.
While in Freedom, I plan to learn more about its history and culture, especially its evolution from Whiskey Hill.
California's laws and regulations play a significant role in shaping the business environment and everyday life.
I'm curious to see how the proposed overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act might impact various industries.
During my stay in California, I'll be on the lookout for interesting stories related to health, travel, education, general news, and sports.
After my trip, I may share my experiences and observations on fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden trends in California.

Vibrant town of Freedom in California once notorious as 'Whiskey Hill', characterized by a boisterous history.