Merced City, located in California’s Central Valley, is a hub of agriculture and transportation with a rich history. Let’s explore this charming city through 39 riddles! Each riddle provides a clue about an aspect of Merced, followed by the answer.
History
Q: I’m a house where the Civil War general who founded Merced once lived. What am I?
A: The Haggin Museum
Q: I’m an event held yearly since merced’s founding that celebrates the city’s agricultural heritage. What am I?
A: The Merced County Spring Fair
Q: I’m a historic movie theater in downtown Merced and cultural landmark. What am I?
A: The Mainzer Theater
Q: I’m the university that first opened in Merced in 2005 as the 10th campus in the UC system. What am I?
A: UC Merced
Q: I’m the street in Merced where you can find many of the city’s historic buildings. What am I?
A: Main Street
Q: I’m the nickname of the network of irrigation canals built in Merced in the late 1800s that allowed agriculture to thrive. What am I?
A: The Spider Web
Geography
Q: I’m the major river that Merced is named after and runs through the city. What am I?
A: The Merced River
Q: I’m the lake northeast of Merced popular for boating and fishing. What am I?
A: Lake Yosemite
Q: I’m the mountain range visible east of Merced. What am I?
A: The Sierra Nevada Mountains
Q: I’m the valley where Merced is located known as one of California’s most fertile agricultural regions. What am I?
A: The San Joaquin Valley
Q: I’m the county Merced is the county seat of. What am I?
A: Merced County
Q: I’m the major north-south highway that runs through Merced. What am I?
A: Highway 99
Culture
Q: I’m the annual Sikh parade in Merced that celebrates the Vaisakhi harvest festival with food, music and dance. What am I?
A: The Merced Nagar Kirtan Parade
Q: I’m the museum at UC Merced with exhibits on the region’s natural history and changing art displays. What am I?
A: The Merced Multicultural Arts Center
Q: I’m the amusement park in Merced with mini golf, go karts, bumper boats and an arcade. What am I?
A: Fun Works
Q: I’m the Hindu temple in Merced known for its architecture and vibrant celebrations. What am I?
A: The Merced Hindu Temple
Q: I’m the annual September event in Merced with live music, a carnival and the famous Fruit Competition. What am I?
A: The Merced County Fair
Q: I’m the museum in Merced housed in the historic Orchard Supply Hardware building. What am I?
A: The Merced County Courthouse Museum
People
Q: I’m the civil war general who founded Merced in 1872 and named it after the river. Who am I?
A: John W. Haggin
Q: I’m the famous children’s author who grew up in Merced and based The Boxcar Children books here. Who am I?
A: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Q: I’m the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who documented migrant worker camps near Merced in the 1930s. Who am I?
A: Dorothea Lange
Q: I’m the animator who created iconic Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny and grew up in Merced. Who am I?
A: Tex Avery
Q: I’m the Olympic gold medal swimmer from Merced who won 5 medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Who am I?
A: Natalie Coughlin
Q: I was a member of the famous R&B group the Penguins and grew up singing in Merced. Who am I?
A: Cleve Duncan
Landmarks
Q: I’m the grand 10-story Mediterranean Revival style county courthouse built in Merced in 1930. What am I?
A: The Merced County Courthouse
Q: I’m the historic movie theater in downtown Merced known for its Art Deco design. What am I?
A: The Mainzer Theater
Q: I’m the Merced theatre built in 1946 that was an important venue on the Big Band circuit. What am I?
A: The Tioga Ballroom
Q: I’m the iconic red truss bridge over the Merced River that uses Howe truss technology. What am I?
A: The Merced River Bridge
Q: I’m the Hindu temple in Merced recognizable by its ornate pyramid style towers. What am I?
A: The Merced Hindu Temple
Q: I’m the clock tower in Applegate Park with a bell made by the McShane Bell Foundry. What am I?
A: The Merced County Courthouse Clock Tower
Recreation
Q: I’m the amusement park in Merced with family friendly rides and attractions. What am I?
A: Fun Works
Q: I’m the spot along the Merced River with hiking trails, fishing, and whitewater rafting. What am I?
A: The George Hatfield State Recreation Area
Q: I’m the minor league baseball team that plays at John Thurman field in Merced. What am I?
A: The Merced Bears
Q: I’m the 18-hole golf course in Merced designed by Ted Robinson Sr. What am I?
A: The Merced Golf and Country Club
Q: I’m the wildlife refuge near Merced protecting rare vernal pool habitats and native plants and animals. What am I?
A: The Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Q: I’m the system of paved bike paths around Merced that circle through scenic areas. What am I?
A: The Merced Bike Path Loop
Agriculture
Q: I’m the university center focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems that’s based in Merced. What am I?
A: The UC Merced Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center
Q: I’m the family owned winery in Merced that sustainably grows Mediterranean style grapes. What am I?
A: The FruitBowl Vineyards
Q: I’m the festival in Merced each April celebrating the bounty of the county through food, wine and music. What am I?
A: The Bounty of Our County Festival
Q: I’m the agricultural technology company headquartered in Merced developing precision irrigation tools. What am I?
A: CropX Technologies
Q: I’m the type of melon first bred in Merced county in the 1920s that became the most popular melon variety in the US. What am I?
A: The Merced Cantaloupe
Q: I’m the family owned company in Merced providing almond growing solutions since 1963. What am I?
A: The Almond Bay Company
Education
Q: I’m the science focused UC campus that opened in Merced in 2005. What am I?
A: UC Merced
Q: I’m the Merced college originally founded as a vocational high school in 1962. What am I?
A: Merced College
Q: I’m the K-12 school district serving students in Merced City. What am I?
A: Merced City School District
Q: I’m the high school in Merced known for its agricultural education programs. What am I?
A: Golden Valley High School
Q: I’m the accredited degree granting institute in Merced focused on Hmong culture. What am I?
A: California Hmong University
Q: I’m the public research center near Merced focused on developing new fruit tree varieties. What am I?
A: The UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Conclusion
We’ve explored Merced’s history, landmarks, culture, agriculture, education, recreation and more through these 39 riddles! From the Merced River that gives the city its name, to pioneers like John Haggin who founded it, to its role in industries like agriculture, Merced has a rich identity and heritage. The riddles provide a fun glimpse into what makes Merced special as a community in California’s central valley.
