Chapter 9 - The Changing South

Big Sky - Simi Valley 

The South went through an economic and urban transition after the 1930s.  These changes included a movement from an agricultural based economy to urban-based, non agricultural employment.  

Simi Valley has also changed over the years.  From residences with farm land and horse property to tract housing and pre planned communities.  The farming land and horse properties are not being replaced, but they are being heavily outnumbered by new housing communities like Big Sky, one of the newest housing developments in the hills of northern Simi Valley.

Even though Simi Valley and The South have both had some form transition from agricultural to urban, they are not similar in every way.  The South has regions where the African American population is as high as 85%.  Simi Valley is not known as being a diverse town.  During the last census, it was determined that Simi Valley residents are over 75% white.  African Americans in Simi Valley make up just under 2% of the population.


Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.174-181)
US Census Bureau (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0672016.html)

Chapter 8 - Appalachia and the Ozarks

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) were programs designed to help and improve certain aspects of Appalachia.

The TVA was charged with improving navigation along the Tennessee River while the ARC was responsible for improving the economy of the area through highways, in the hopes of reducing the local isolation. 

In recent decades, Simi Valley has also looked to improve transportation routes through the city and decrease the natural isolation that the mountains provided.  In the last five years, both Highway 23 (the west entrance to Simi Valley) and Highway 118 (the east entrance to Simi Valley) have undergone extensive widening projects to reduce traffic build ups that had become problems for commuters during rush hour.

In the early 1990's a bridge was built to connect Highways 23 and 118, just north west of Simi Valley.  This allowed travelers to transit from the Conejo Valley to the north San Fernando Valley without having to exit the highway.


Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.160-162)
Highway Photo (http://www.cahighways.org/maps/118-widening.jpg)

Chapter 7 - the Bypassed East

Simi Valley Borders (formally a large strawberry field)

Like the Bypassed East, Simi Valley has seen a decline in farming and agriculture over the last few decades.  Large patches of land that were once used for growing and selling strawberries and other fruits have now turned into office buildings and shopping centers.

While fishing is not part of the Simi Valley economy, it is a small part of the towns history.  The annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby has been hosted at the Rancho Simi Community Park every year in April or May.  Even though the Huck Finn Fishing Derby only comes around once a year, the lagoon used to host the event is open for fishing year round.


Sources:
Regional Landscape of the United States and Canada (p.130-139)
Ventura County Star (http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/may/04/where-the-fishing-was-reel-fun/)

Chapter 5 - North American Manufacturing Core

According to the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest employers and business in Simi Valley have nothing to do with manufacturing, creation or natural resources.  In fact, most of the largest employers and business have to do with services provided within the city, including the Simi Valley Unified School District, Simi Valley Hospital, Parks and Recreation, and waste management.

While the majority of business involves maintaining and improving the city, there are some businesses that produce tangible products and services for use outside of Simi Valley.  These include... 

Meggitt Safety Systems - Manufactures smoke and fire detection systems.  Over 300 employees in Simi Valley.

Polytainer - Container manufacturing.  275 employees in Simi Valley.

Milgard Manufacturing - Window and Door manufacturing. 250 employees in Simi Valley.

Sources:

Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce (http://www.simivalleychamber.org/discover/city-of-simi-valley/major-employers)

Meggitt Safety (http://www.meggittsafety.com/company.asp)

Polytainer (http://www.polytainer.com/)

Milgard (http://www.milgard.com/)

Chaper 4 - Megalopolis

Urban Sprawl

Simi Valley is a part of the greater Los Angeles area.  Los Angeles has many of the same features and problems as Megalopolis.

Megalopolis is dependent on its natural ports in order to facilitate trade between coastal cities and also European countries.  While southern California does not have as many natural ports, it does have the Port of Long Beach which moves $140 billion in goods annually and is important for US/Asian trade.

Megalopolis is all about connecting densely populated areas.  While these populated areas on the east coast are different cities in different states, Los Angeles connects large cities which now bleed into each other. Eight of the largest cities in California and located in the greater Los Angeles area.  Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Riverside, Irvine, Fontana and Oxnard are all large cities that are connected by a network of highways. 

This area also faces some of the same problems as Megalopolis including urban sprawl, insufficient transportations networks and traffic problems.

Sources:

Port of Long Beach (http://www.polb.com/about/default.asp)

Largest Cities in California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_California_cities_by_population)

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.64-p.85)

Chapter 3 - Foundations of Human Activity

Simi Valley was originally settled by the Chumash Indians.  Chumash Indians were "physically and spiritually united with nature".  The hills surrounding Simi Valley and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean allowed them live off the land without actually farming it.  

While Simi Valley is located only thirty miles from the second largest urban area in the country (Los Angeles), it was relatively unpopulated at the beginning of the 20th century.  It was not until the 1970s that the population really started to grow.  The Simi Valley population grew over 600% from 1960 to 1970, from 8,000 to 78,000.

Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969 and currently has a population of 125,000.

Simi Valley residents that want to learn more about the Chumash Indians can still enjoy Chumash Park and Trail, located in the hills, just northeast of the town.

Sources:

Chumash Trail (http://www.rsrpd.org/park/chumashparkandtrail/chumashparkandtrail.html)

Chumash Indians (http://www.chumashindian.com/)

History of Simi Valley (http://www.simihistory.com/Chumash.htm)

Simi Valley Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#History)

Chapter 2 - Geographic Patterns of the Physical Environment

Simi Valley Sunshine

Simi Valley lies in the Pacific Mountains and Valleys physiographic region.  The climate of Simi Valley is consistent with a costal area in this region.  As a result of its latitude (34.2911), maritime influence (~15 miles from the coast) and topography (900 ft elevation), Simi Valley has a small temperature range throughout the year.  Historically, the temperature peaks around 95 degrees in the summer months and drops to around 40 degrees in the winter.
Simi Valley is also known for being the starting location of the Santa Susana fault line.  This earthquake fault line runs from the Santa Susana Mountains about 20 miles to the east towards the San Gabriel Mountains.


Sources:
National Weather Service (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=lox&textField1=34.2630&textField2=-118.7513&smap=1)
Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/93065)
Active Faults (http://www.parmeleegeology.com/ACTIVE%20FAULTS.htm)
Regions and Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.18-p.27)

Chapter 1 - Regions and Themes

Simi Valley, California, is located in two different regions of the United States.  Simi Valley lies in the overlapping area comprised of the California region and the Southwest Border Area.  Many of the themes of these two regions are clearly represented in Simi Valley.

Some of the themes of the California region are a perception of amenities and environmental dependence.  Simi Valley has a median household income around 28 thousand dollars higher than the average California median household income and 37 thousand dollars higher than the national average.

While Simi Valley may not be as “dependent” on it’s environment as some other california locations, it is definitely effected by it.  As the name would indicate, Simi Valley is located in a valley.  Surrounded by the Santa Susana Mountain Range and the Simi Hills, Simi Valley has a natural barrier that separates it from the Conejo Valley and Los Angeles County.  Because of these natural barriers, there are limited ways to access the town and Simi Valley residents are dependent on the canyon passages and Highways 118 and 23.

Sources:

Regions and Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.6-p.7)

United States Census Bureau (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html)

Simi Valley, California Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California)