RIO VISTA — Anglers, boating, drawbridges and windmills.
And movies.
All are synonymous with the little town of Rio Vista, nestled on a wide portion of the Sacramento River off Highway 12. The river often doubled in films as the Mississippi River – most notably playing a starring role in numerous Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn films dating back to the early 1900s. Dozens of other notable movies – from silent to talkies – brought in famous stars and directors such as William Desmond, John Ford, Cecil B. DeMille, Jackie Coogen and perhaps even John Wayne when The Big Trail was filmed there in 1930.
Today, the iconic windmills signal entrance from the west and the Helen Madere Memorial Bridge brings in visitors from the east. Madere was a former Rio Vista City Councilwoman.
The annual Rio Vista Bass Derby and Festival brings in the boaters and anglers by the hundreds. This year is the 66th annual derby – the oldest in the west – even though the first one was actually held in 1933. Striped bass isn’t the only catch in town either – the derby also includes sturgeon. The festival portion, featuring games, rides and music, was added later. This year the event is Oct. 11-13.
The city offers a variety of shopping downtown, from yogurt to books or knickknacks and pets to manicures and hair salons. There are also several restaurants worth a visit as well. While browsing downtown on the weekend, drop into the Rio Vista Museum, 16 N. Front St., to learn some Rio Vista and Delta history.
The original town was established at the junction of Cache Slough and the Sacramento River in 1855. It went through several names before the wife of the postmaster named it Rio Vista. After a devastating flood in 1862, the location was moved two miles to its present location. It is about 21 miles east of Fairfield, about 55 miles from San Francisco and 45 miles from Sacramento.
According to the United State Census Bureau, the city’s population estimate in 2012 was 7,563. Census information for 2010 indicates that 81.6 percent of the population is white, 12.42 percent is Hispanic, 5.05 percent black and 4.9 percent Asian. More than 32 percent of the population is 65 and older – nearly triple the state’s percentage, largely due to the Trilogy senior development.
Reach Susan Winlow at 427-6955 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/swinlowdr.
Rio Vista at a glance
City Hall: One Main St., 374-6451.
Website: www.rio-vista-ca.com.
City Manager (interim): Joseph Tanner Jr.
Mayor: Norman Richardson. Elected in 2012, term expires in 2016. Reach at [email protected].
Vice Mayor: Constance Boulware. Elected in 2010, term expires in 2014. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: David Hampton. Elected in 2012, term expires in 2016. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Timothy Kubli. Appointed in 2012, term expires in 2014. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Jim McCracken. Elected in 2012, term expires in 2016. Reach at jmccracken@ ci.rio-vista.ca.us.
