About WINTON, CA
Winton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Merced County, California, United States. The population was 8,832 at the 2000 census. Winton was established along the original Santa Fe Rail Road and has grown only a very small amount since it was established. At one time, Passenger trains would stop at this location. Winton was mentioned by Johny Carson on the "Tonight Show" in the early 1970's while reading information from a magazine. It was noted that, at the time, Winton had the highest crime rate for a city its size in the nation. Another note to some fame was the old Wagon Wheel Bar, which for years was a Hell's Angels bar.
Winton, California, a small community in Merced County has a colorful history. The land was dry, desert-like with loose sandy soil. Before 1910 Crocker Huffman Land and Water Company owned a large tract of land, which was called the "Winn Ranch". It consisted of grain fields and grazing lands. The land was subdivided into lots under the names of Merced Colony No. 2 and Merced Colony No. 3 and put on the market in 1910. A total of 5,500 acres made up the two colonies.
In 1911 the Townsite was laid out and at first named Winfield for the Winn Ranch. It was later changed to Winton at the request of the railroad people. There was already a town called Winfield on the Santa Fe. This town was located in Arizona, but the railroad would not stand for another. The signs had already been made and so to economize, they changed the name from Winfield to Winton. Some sources say it was named after G. E. Winton of Merced who surveyed it. The Winton Townsite Map was recorded April 4, 1912.
Learn more about this city.
City of Winton, CA official site
City of Winton, CA Chamber of Commerce
City of Winton, CA newspaper
County of Winton, CA official site
State of California official site