About Castroville, California
Castroville is a rural census designated community in the north end of Monterey County with a population of approximately 6,481. The primary industry is agriculture and artichokes are the leading crop.
Called the “the “Artichoke Capital of the World,” around 70% of the California crop is grown in and around Castroville and Monterey County. California supplies close to 100% of the artichokes to the United States. With over 3,000 acres planted in the tasty thistle, Castroville dominates artichoke production in the U.S.
In the 1920s, a member of the mafia, Ciro Terranova, monopolized the artichoke market by buying up all the shipments from California to New York. He resold the artichokes at considerable profit and in the process, terrorized distributors and produce merchants. He reportedly destroyed artichoke fields by having the plants hacked down in the dead of night. The Terranova “artichoke wars” caused then New York Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia to declare artichokes illegal in New York City. A week later LaGuardia lifted the ban, admitting he loved the vegetable.
The GPS coordinates for Castroville are 36.7620° N, 121.7518° W.