“Confederate Corners” community changing to “Springtown”

“Confederate Corners” is officially getting a name change.

The unincorporated community southwest of Salinas will now be called “Springtown.”

On April 12th, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names Committee ( U.S. Geological Survey) voted 10-2 to change the name.

The change comes after concerns brought to light by Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo and Salinas Native and Stanford doctoral student Aaron Alvero. The two submitted a proposal for a name change in September, 2017. They were proposing to change the name to “Campesino Corners.”

The board unanimously voted to change the name of “Confederate Corners” during the December 5th, 2017 Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“I proposed to change the name to Campesino Corners as it would better reflect the history and makeup of the Salinas Valley, but Springtown was a good compromise with its historic roots to the area as well,” said Supervisor Alejo. “This change is long overdue and we achieved our fundamental goal to get rid of a name with a hurtful and painful past. This change respects other aspects of local history while also being respectful and sensitive to the diverse residents of Salinas and Monterey County.”