ABOUT:

The City of Calipatria was incorporated on February 28, 1918. The city is a General Law city with a City Manager form of Government. Calipatria is home to the tallest flagpole (184 feet) where the flag flies at sea level. The flagpole has been dedicated to "Good Neighborliness." The Calipatria State Prison is annexed into the city limits located about 3 miles just outside of the city. Calipatria has five seats on the City Council. Council Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Calipatria has a Planning Commission Board that seats five members. Planning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month if there is any business to conduct. Services provided by the City of Calipatria include Police, Fire, Parks.

STORY OF THE FLAGPOLE:

The one thing that gets people’s attention is the 184-foot flagpole that stands up to sea level. The flagpole was suggested long before it was build. One of the reason’s for that was the cost was too high. Then on the night of October 5, 1957 Calipatria’s pharmacist, Harry Momita and wife Helen were in a car accident while on their way to see their children in Los Angeles. Helen was killed instantly and Harry was sent to the hospital for some injuries and was there for more than two weeks. News had gotten around to Calipatria and the City Mayor, Edward Rademacher, took charge of the matter. Councilman Franklin Garrett and Chief of Police, John Beauchamp, visited Mr.Momita. They drove to the hospital to visit with Momita bringing back his keys to the pharmacy in order to keep his drug store open. With the help of fellow Calipatrian’s and a Brawley pharmacist they managed on doing so.

Harry and Helen Momita were Japanese Americans who had spent time in a relocation camp in Arizona,their story was picked up bythe international press and radio causing worldwide publicity. With the help of many fellows Calipatrian’s and other people outside the city, money was donated for flowers in honor of Helen’s memorial. Harry was amazed by the kindness that was brought about from Calipatrian friends, neighbors, and customers. Harry felt that he had to give something back to the people in return. The thought of having a fund for the flagpole was then created into a "Build the Flagpole" campaign.

Discussion over dedication to Helen Momita was brought up, but Harry stated, "She was always a shy and gentle person." He felt that she would not like such a display. He then commented that it be dedicated to "Good Neighborliness." The fund grew but still there never seemed to be enough to get the work started even though the president of the Pacific Southwest Pipe Company, hearing the story, had written Calipatria’s Mayor, volunteering his company’s services in designing and building the monument, "happy to figure this job without profit." Then Harry soon appeared on "This Is Your Life" television show. Harry ended up winning a new car and got many gifts, the biggest of them all was Momita receiving $1000 in cash so that he could build Calipatria’s flagpole! Now Calipatria boasts of the tallest flagpole at sea level, flying Old Glory 184 feet high, and when the wind blows, which it often does in the Imperial Valley, there is no more beautiful sight than to see the beautiful colors of the Flag waving high above.