MERCED

city, Merced county, central California, U.S., on Bear Creek in the San Joaquin valley, 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Fresno. It was founded in 1872 by the Central Pacific Railroad, and it became county seat in the same year. It was named for the Nuestra Seora de la Merced River. It developed as a processing and shipping point for agricultural produce of the valley, irrigated by the Tri-Dam Project (18 miles northeast). There is some light manufacturing, chiefly metal fabrication. Merced College was established in 1962. Lake Yosemite is 7 miles (11 km) northeast, Yosemite National Park 45 miles (72 km) northeast, and Merced National Wildlife Refuge 16 miles (26 km) southwest. Castle Air Force Base (1946) nearby is a significant economic asset. Inc. 1889. Pop. (1990) city, 56,216; Merced MSA, 178,403.