"[6] "Other interests of Mr. Plew included the founding of the Shalimar Winery, which was established to use the surplus grape crop of the county.

"[6] Plew thought that a military payroll would boost the depression-stricken economy of the region.

[7] In 1934, Plew offered the U.S. government 1,460 acres (6 km2) contiguous land for a bombing and gunnery base.

This leasehold became the headquarters for the Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Base activated on June 14, 1935, under the command of Captain Arnold H. Rich.

The climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year.

Summers are usually somewhat wetter than winters, with much of the rainfall coming from convectional thunderstorm activity.

[10] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,752 people, 1,876 households, and 1,335 families residing in the city.

[14] As of the 2010 United States census, there were 5,036 people, 1,700 households, and 899 families residing in the city.