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Quiz about Modesto California Not Such a Bad Place

Modesto, California - Not Such a Bad Place Quiz

Modesto, California has received a bit of a bad rap lately due to some unfortunate illegal activities. I'd like to put a positive spin on the place I call home. Enjoy and learn something good about Modesto!

A multiple-choice quiz by flamingo516. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
flamingo516

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
215,237

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
570

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Ok, we'll get this out of the way. Modesto was in the news during the years 1999 to 2005 for the following reasons: Hint

The murder of Laci Peterson and her son

The Sund/Pelosso murders

The disappearance and murder of Chandra Levy

All of these

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Modesto is the birthplace of which famous writer and movie director? Hint

George Lucas

Tim Burton

Steven Spielberg

Alan Smithee

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Modesto's town slogan is which of the following? Hint

Nobody's Got Modesto's Goat

Agriculture, Business, and Animals

Heart of the Valley

Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health

4. The town of Modesto was going to be named after William Chapman Ralston, a local millionaire banker whose money came from the Comstock silver mines in Nevada. He objected to such a proposal so in honor of his shyness the town was named after the Spanish word for modest, "Modesto".

True

False

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Modesto's local minor league baseball team is which of the following? Hint

The Modesto Nuts

The Modesto Angels

The Modesto As

The Modesto FruitBats

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Modesto was founded in October of which year? Hint

1912

1937

1899

1870

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Modesto Junior College is the oldest Junior College in the state of California.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This winery was started in Modesto by two brothers, Ernest and Julio. What is their last name? Hint

Mondavi

Plunk

Fresia

Gallo

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Located on K Street in downtown Modesto you'll find which attraction? Hint

Flower clock

Mural of "How the West Was Won"

Modesto Nuts baseball stadium

California's tallest spruce

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The following movies were filmed near Modesto: "High Noon" (1951), "Finian's Rainbow" (1969), "Pale Rider" (1985), "Back to the Future III" (1990), and "Dead Man On Campus" (1997).

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 15 2024 : portalrules123: 9/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Ok, we'll get this out of the way. Modesto was in the news during the years 1999 to 2005 for the following reasons:

Answer: All of these

Although all of these were connected to Modesto in some way (Laci and Chandra lived in Modesto and the wallet of Carol Sund was found in Modesto) it's important to know that Modesto was placed in the spotlight due to the media and not because this city is the evil hotspot of the San Joaquin Valley.

2. Modesto is the birthplace of which famous writer and movie director?

Answer: George Lucas

George was born in Modesto on May 14, 1944. He was raised on a walnut ranch along with his three siblings. After graduating from Downey High School he attended Modesto Junior College before deciding to attend the University of Southern California film school. "American Graffiti" is based on the local tradition of cruising McHenry Blvd in Modesto but it was actually filmed in Petaluma.

3. Modesto's town slogan is which of the following?

Answer: Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health

Interestingly, "Nobody's Got Modesto's Goat" actually came in first place after a town contest in 1912 to find a slogan for the new arch inspired by the Modesto Business Men's Association. Cooler heads prevailed and it was bypassed for the slogan which still remains on the arch today.

Answer: True

Ralston was also a Director for the Central Pacific Railroad and was considered "the most resourceful and daring of the West Coast financiers". (Quote from www.visitmodesto.com.) His modesty prevented his name from enduring through the years. I wonder if he would do the same again?

5. Modesto's local minor league baseball team is which of the following?

Answer: The Modesto Nuts

The Nuts are a Colorado Rockies minor-league affiliate. Believe it or not, this was the best name the owners could come up with. Even sadder, the team mascot is "PeaNUT". The As (a minor-league affiliate for the Oakland As) moved out of town in 2004.

6. Modesto was founded in October of which year?

Answer: 1870

The town was established along with the coming of the railroad. It was considered one of the wildest towns in the valley with many saloons, breweries, and 'houses of ill repute'. It's now home to many wonderful restaurants, museums (including the McHenry Mansion, built in 1882-1883), theaters (including the Brenden Theater which was host of the premiere of the latest installment of "Star Wars"), the Townsend Opera Players, the American Graffiti Cruising Loop, and the soon to be completed Gallo Center for the Arts.

7. Modesto Junior College is the oldest Junior College in the state of California.

Answer: True

It was established in 1921.

8. This winery was started in Modesto by two brothers, Ernest and Julio. What is their last name?

Answer: Gallo

Ernest and Julio Gallo opened their winery the same day that Prohibition ended in 1933 with 5900 borrowed dollars. Today it's a multi-million dollar winery that is known world-wide.

9. Located on K Street in downtown Modesto you'll find which attraction?

Answer: Flower clock

The flower clock is 20' across and, except for the clock mechanism, is made entirely of flowers. Twice a year the Modesto Garden Club plants over 25,000 plants to keep it seasonal and colorful. It is one of only 12 flower clocks in the US! Be sure to check out the city website at www.ci.modesto.ca.us for our 'clock cam'!

10. The following movies were filmed near Modesto: "High Noon" (1951), "Finian's Rainbow" (1969), "Pale Rider" (1985), "Back to the Future III" (1990), and "Dead Man On Campus" (1997).

Answer: True

True! And many, many more including Chrysler and Toyota television commercials, a documentary for the History Channel, "Unsolved Mysteries", and the "Family Feud" game show. Most were filmed on the Stanislaus County Sierra Railroad. Modesto started out as a wild cowboy and golddigger town and we are proud of it! Hope you enjoyed learning more about Modesto. If you'd like to learn more and see what Modesto has to offer please visit the city website at www.ci.modesto.ca.us or www.modestonuts.com.

Source: Author flamingo516

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LilahDeDah before going online.
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