Angwin Real Estate Information
This hilltop community, located in the Howell Mountains east of St. Helena, offers clean air and spectacular views of the Napa Valley. In Angwin one finds forests of Douglas fir and oaks in one area, vineyards or residences in another. There are meadows, lakes and brooks. It is a friendly community, with country charm and modern facilities, within easy access to other Napa Valley communities and services.
The Angwin community centers around Pacific Union College, a Seventh-day Adventist educational institution and the only four year college in the Napa Valley. Pacific Union College offers degrees in liberal arts and sciences.
Originally, Angwin was part of the Rancho La Jota land grant under Spanish and Mexican rule. It was given to George Yount in 1843. The name "La Jota" comes from the name of a local Native American chief named Jota,or Hotta, who lived in the mountains and was a source of trouble to white settlers in the valley. Even to this day, a section of Angwin is known as Rancho La Jota. Yount sold his grant to Smith Brown for $13,000.
The Howell Mountains are named after an early valley pioneer named Isaac Howell who came here in 1847. In fact, he trapped a grizzly bear on the mountain.
Edwin D. Angwin, for whom the community is named, bought land on Howell Mt. for farming. He soon realized the commercial potential for creating a resort and hotel, which he did in 1874. In 1909, the Seventh-day Adventists bought Angwin's property and established Pacific Union College.
In the past the Howell Mountain area was heavily logged for it prime redwoods and Douglas fir. Unfortunately, little redwood remains in the area. Vintners are discovering that the grapes grown on Howell Mountain produce fine wine and vineyards and wineries have established operations in the area, producing prize-winning wines.
Services and Shopping The College operates the Angwin Plaza which includes a full-service market, but without the meat department, an Ace Hardware store, the College Bookstore, and the Angwin office of California Properties of the Napa Valley. The Plaza also includes the Angwin branch of the US Postal Service, the Silverado Federal Credit Union, a laundromat, and Adventist Book Center. Down the street is a Chevron Service Station and Fred Hess's Auto Service. Many other services are located in Angwin including a dentist and print shop. The community publishes its own local telephone directory which can be purchased at the College Market. For major purchases, Angwin residents go to Napa, Santa Rosa, or St. Helena.
Angwin has two elementary schools, the Howell Mountain Elementary School, a public institution, and the Pacific Union College Elementary School, run by the college. The College also runs the PUC Preparatory School, the local high school. The nearest public high school is in St. Helena.
Angwin is serviced by a volunteer fire department and ambulance service as well as by the California Forestry Department, who has fire trucks located in the nearby Los Posadas State Forest. The St. Helena Hospital and Health Center is only a short drive away. The Napa County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol patrol the area.
Entertainment The Angwin Community likes to walk. The friendly neighborhoods offer excellent walking and for those who would rather hike in more wilderness conditions, there are places for that, too. Pacific Union College offer programs of interest--musical, cultural, arts, travelogues, speakers. For other activities such as dining or movies, plan on driving to another community. Country living does demand some driving but it is well worth it.
Angwin Facts
Elevation: 1,840 feet above sea level at the airport. Average is about 1,600 Population: 4067 Crime rate: One has a 3.94% chance of being the victim of a crime in Napa County. Weather conditions: Yearly average temperature is 71 degrees. Summers can get hot. Winters can bring freezing temperatures. Rainy season lasts from November to March. Lately there has been heavy rains. It sometimes snows but usually not over a couple inches. Did You Know?
The main road into Angwin wasn't constructed until the 1960s. Before that residents had to take the old winding Howell Mountain Road. This road is still in existence and is a great place to ride bikes.
Near the pass that enters Angwin is an Native American grinding stone where the Wappos would grind their acorns.