Humboldt County

History

History of Humboldt County California - Historic Record Co., Los Angeles, 1915

CHAPTER XVIII.
Activity in Many Towns.

        Previous chapters have given the reader a pretty fair idea of the early settlements in the untrodden wilds of Humboldt county, but no history would be adequate without some account of the activities of more recent years, together with a review of some of the conditions that promise to make Humboldt county a much more thrifty community than it is today. It should be said that there have been great activities by reason of the projected highway and the approaching completion of the Northwestern Pacific Railway, which will for the first time connect Humboldt county with the wide world.

        Recent plans for the improvement of towns and the building of new ones, as in the case of Fort Seward, originated in the desire of the far-seeing business men of the county to avail themselves of the benefits of a great tourist trade. Some of the leaders of public opinion have read the history of Switzerland, where millions of tourists make if possible for hundreds of thousands of Swiss people to reap fortunes from hotels and resorts. As Humboldt is a little Switzerland, there are those who believe that its great hunting and fishing opportunities and its wonderful scenery will cause many towns to experience a wonderful growth, while others will come into existence.

        The Rev. William Rader, who made the tour overland from San Francisco to Eureka, has predicted that we shall have a wonderful tourist trade by reason of the fact that the trip in question is the most fascinating one in America. He says that the famous Corniche road from Nice to Monte Carlo, which was built by one of the Napoleons, lies along the Alpine slopes like a ribbon. He draws a picture and exhibits a contrast when he says that the Corniche road is almost silken in its surface, with sublime scenery in the background. He adds that if one would compare this famous highway with the road from Willits to Eureka he would be struck with the great difference between the new and the old world. One is a city street, cut over the mountains, while the other is a trail. He wrote this before the great state highway survey was made. It should be remembered that when the state highway is finished it will be somewhat like a city street cut through forests and mountains. The great European road leads through a land bereft of all the fascination of the primeval, while the other is Nature's unbroken forest and mountain. He remarks that if one of the giant redwoods along the Humboldt county road were set in Central Park, New York, or along the Thames in London, it would attract more attention than the Metropolitan Museum or the Egyptian Obelisk. The people of Humboldt county, believing such statements as the foregoing, have long been preparing for the influx of strangers which they expect to see when they hear the sounds of whistles and bells where now the only noises that break the silence are such as roaring cataracts, lowing herds, and the cries of wild beasts.

        In order that the reader may understand something of the beauties that lie along this road of wonders the following extracts from Mr. Rader's description are submitted:

        "The distance is over one hundred and fifty miles and the trail reaches an altitude of over 4,600 feet above sea level. A ride over this road in an automobile is a rare and exciting experience, disclosing picture after picture of natural magnificence, colored with Nature's own brush, dipped in a magical combination of atmospheric effects of light and shade. Variety of landscape, majesty of outline in rock and mountain and vale, stretches of river and creek, unique geological formations, and a variety of wild flower, foliage and tree life greet the eye at every turn, while now and then a deer crosses the path with a wondering, friendly look, as if it would recognize something akin to itself in the automobile without a rifle.

        "The air is like wine, the sky like that which bends over Venice and Florence. The people one meets on the way are of a class which stands for the best in the Far West. Men of brawn and brain have found their way into these mountain fastnesses, the last of the pioneers, for beyond them rolls the Pacific. To the far westward lies the old East, and they are made one by virtue of the cable, the wireless and steam, and because of the higher affinity of commerce and the brotherhood of the nations. The men and women who have had the courage to settle in Mendocino and Humboldt counties are worth while.

        "If one would enjoy this journey to the full, perhaps the regular stage is best. There are several reasons for this, chief of which is the element of almost absolute safety. The driver is probably a stalwart youth who knows every turn of the road and is on friendly terms with his big sixty-horse power machine. He does not have that inevitable nervousness which an amateur on the road is possessed with, but gives the impression that he is master of the situation. If you surrender yourself to his care and the Providence of God, you will reach your destination without serious trouble. These young drivers have made themselves famous by caution and skill and no accident thus far mars the record of their triumphs. Sometimes the path is wet and the machine threatens to skid and land you hundreds of feet below, but it is only a threat and under the skillful manipulation of the driver, it goes forward humming a hymn of praise.

        "If one would travel by rail and auto one leaves the train at Longvale and takes it again at McCann, about fifty miles from Eureka. These metal threads will soon be tied together, when the tourist will substitute the train for the machine and all may enjoy scenic rides on the railway, of extraordinary interest. At present Willits is the end of the first lap from San Francisco. Here is a large hotel where the traveler spends the night. The next morning at seven o'clock he takes the train again and in a half hour reaches the end of the road at Longvale where, in the depths of the forest, he makes the start in the stage for a ninety-mile journey over high precipices and steep grades, around the sharpest turns, across sparkling trout streams, through groves of great trees, descending into the deep shades of secluded redwood nooks, where he looks upon trees which probably stood before Christ was born. This continues till he reaches the Devil's Elbow, six or seven hundred feet above Eel river at McCann, and where he descends upon a crooked road with breathless interest, if not a fear, probably the most thrilling and crooked road in the world.

        "Not the least among the pleasures of the overland trip is the dinner hour. Usually this is spent at Harris, where a sumptuous and old-fashioned dinner affords a pleasant and satisfying break in the auto ride. Passengers have a sharpened appetite and are in a state of hunger which is the natural result of mountain air and thrilling jolts. There isn't much "style," but plenty of fresh things from the garden, served in true country fashion.

        "Two roads lead to Eureka from Harris; one by way of Fruitland Ridge to McCann's Mill ; the other takes the tourist by Alderpoint, a new village just springing into life, and by way of Bridgeville on the Van Duzen. If it has been rainy, chains are put on the wheels, as the roads leading through the forest are sometimes dangerously wet and slippery, especially in the summer. On the last trip taken by the writer cool, bracing weather was encountered. Great clouds of fog drifted in from the sea, followed by bright sun, which fell in showers of beauty upon the fresh, blue mountains. The air was filled with the pungent odor of wild flowers and cedar and pine. Here and there we met bands of. fat steers, driven to Eureka markets by cowboys and well-trained dogs. Occasional teams were passed, hauling produce or lumber, drawn by four or six horses with ringing bells, making the mountains echo with their tinkling melody, while the crack of the whip warned us of their approach.

        "The experience of passing these teams is a test of skill and patience, as well as courage. Sometimes the stage is compelled to back a long distance to a point sufficiently wide to permit the team to pass on a narrow margin where a false step would mean disaster. The good humor which generally prevails reveals a trait among these mountaineers which might profitably be emulated in other walks of life. Men who live in these regions develop a resourcefulness and courage altogether admirable, while the horses seem to be at home in dangerous situations, behaving like sensible human beings.

        "Humboldt and Mendocino counties make a natural park of pleasure, where the hunter and the fisherman are in a paradise. The climate is perfect, the game and fish plentiful. Streams for the most part are stocked with the finest trout, while deer and bear are found in abundance. Not only is this territory a pleasure ground, but rich in natural resources. Evidences of mineral, oil and coal are many. It is estimated that the timber resources will last for a hundred years. The enormous amount of lumber which is now sent down the streams to the great mills has hardly made a scar upon the old forests, which welcome the woodman's axe.  It is hoped, however, that it may be long before the noble Sequoias yield to the invasion of commerce, and that they may long stand as memorials of an ancient past.

        "With the completion of the railroad this vast empire will open her mountain gates to the world and yield riches yet undiscovered. What power of water, what sites for villages and cities, what immense natural wealth awaits the touch of the magic wand of business enterprise!

        "If San Francisco is the southern terminus of this territory, approached by the historic and charming Sonoma valley with Ukiah as the gate of entrance, Eureka is the northern terminus. This interesting little city enjoys the distinction of having one of the best harbors on the coast. A break-water is nearing completion which will insure sufficient depth in the large lagoon for the largest vessels and adequate protection against shifting sand bars. The city is flanked by noble mountains, and long stretches of cultivated fields. The surrounding country, especially the Ferndale region, is rich in dairy products as well as inviting to the eye. Twelve thousand contented people live in Eureka, many of whom are wealthy and prosperous. The city is the nerve center of Humboldt county. A noticeable characteristic of Eureka is its local pride and an optimistic hope for its future. Good schools, newspapers, hotels, churches, library buildings, a splendid park, a street railway, a really beautiful Elk hall, good stores and public buildings are to be set down among its assets.

        "Already a survey has been made for a railway from Eureka to Red Bluff, across mountain ranges which slope gradually down into the great northern end of the Sacramento valley. The building of this road will afford another outlet toward the east and south. An automobile trip through this region adds an additional chapter of wonder to the volume of California's resources. The sparkling Mad river, the miles of well built state roads, the glimpse of Shasta, whose silver peak greets the eye on the eastern mountain slopes, make it a journey of a thousand wonders. A good place to rest for a day and where one may catch as many trout as he would wish is Wildwood, sixty miles from Red Bluff.

        "The lumber mills in and around Eureka indicate the scope of the lumber trade in Humboldt county. Heavily laden schooners make their way over the bar to San Francisco and San Pedro, carrying cargoes of the best material. A new enthusiasm is taking hold of the public mind of Eureka. New enterprises are starting and a group of energetic men is making plans for larger things in the future. Its development is as inevitable as was the growth of San Francisco and Portland. Certainly an overland trip by steam and gasoline to this beautiful little city of Humboldt is the most fascinating of any of its kind in the United States, if not in the world."

        Not only do the leaders of public opinion in the sundry towns of the county expect a large tourist trade which will cause a multiplication of hotels and resorts,

but they believe that many state and national conventions will inevitably be held in the towns around Humboldt bay, preferably in Eureka, although Arcata is showing many signs of stirring activity and is preparing to meet the new conditions in the spirit of modernity. The fact that the climate around Humboldt bay is the coolest summer climate on the American continent is confidently regarded as an asset sure to bear its reward.

        The town of Arcata, with a population of more than two thousand people, made great progress during 1914. Interest in all sorts of public enterprises was greatly stimulated by the fact that the town won the State Normal school after a hot competition with Eureka. The achievement of this victory stimulated interest in public buildings in general and the result has been the building of a modern theatre and the projection of plans that will lead to the construction of many other modern buildings. One of the ambitions of the town is to capture the railroad shops and become a division point of the Northwestern Pacific Railway.

        Arcata was fortunate in obtaining from the legislature of 1913 a generous grant of five hundred acres of tide lands immediately adjacent to the city and so favorably located that a good harbor frontage is likely to be the result. This will all be owned by the city and can be leased on favorable terms for terminal facilities for railroads, lumber companies, and other great corporations. Arcata's very large Chamber of Commerce at once began negotiations with corporations for the development of this land. The various committees of the chamber are in close touch with concerns that may be looking for a location on Humboldt bay.

        No fact connected with the recent commercial history of Humboldt county is more significant than the projection of a plan that looks to the building of a thrifty little city at Fort Seward, which is likely to become the metropolis of southern Humboldt county. By bringing Judge George W. Rowe and other experts to Fort Seward and vicinity, E. B. Bull, manager of the properties of the Humboldt Land and Development Company, of which Frank K. Mott is president, attracted the attention of the entire state to the fact that a modern development company could work wonders in the virgin fields of southern Humboldt.

        Plans have been partly perfected for taking care of the influx of settlers who may visit southern Humboldt in search of homes. Mr. Bull recognizes the fact that one of the important steps in development will be to take care of the immigrant during the first few years of his residence at Fort Seward. To this end preparations are being made for cold storage plants, canneries, creameries, and such other modern plants as may be needed in the campaign seeking to command the market. In this connection there will be a concerted effort to raise apples of high quality on a co-operative plan that shall seek to make the output large enough to attract attention in such markets as those of London and New York City.

        In a similar way the company will try to induce those going into the poultry and dairying business to work in such a manner as to make the output regular rather than sporadic. By applying modern business efficiency methods to the problems before them the Fort Seward people hope to show other communities throughout the county that there are many more possibilities in Humboldt county than people have heretofore thought. It may be said that the salutary example of the Fort Seward plan has already spread to other towns in the county.

        An odd fact in the conditions of town life in Humboldt county is seen in the building of houses adequate to the population. In 1913 and 1914 there was complaint in Ferndale, Fortuna, Arcata, and Eureka that strangers could not find modern apartment houses, bungalows, or cottages. Not a single building and loan association exists in the county, and the old settlers seem to take no interest in the fact that strangers within the gates of the towns of the county are put to all sorts of inconveniences in trying to find shelter and the comforts of modern life. With the coming of the railroads, a change in these conditions would seem to be inevitable.

        The commercial activities of Eureka, the capital city of the county, were stimulated in 1914 by the organization of the Eureka Development Association, which sprang into life by reason of the fact that Arcata had beaten Eureka out of the Normal school, this largely by reason of the fact that the Arcatans were well organized while the Eurekans had conducted their fight in a desultory way. The Eureka Development Association maintains that the metropolis of the redwood realm is sure to become a city of far greater importance than it has ever been. They cite the fact that it has grown rapidly without the advantages of railroads connecting it with the outside world.

        During 1913 and 1914 there was an undoubted increase in the population of Eureka, as indicated by postoffice reports, school statistics, street car earnings, city directory reports, and figures from like sources. The population in 1914 was probably 15,000. The fact that the Northwestern Pacific announced in June that it would run a train into Eureka by October created a great deal of interest in the towns in other parts of the state. A marked movement from outside was soon in evidence, and many of those who came immediately began to plan as to how they could bring industries to the shores of Humboldt bay. The hope of the town lies in the prospect of smoke stacks and the hum of industry.

        Secretary Roberts of the Eureka Development Association has well said that the streets are wide, clean and well paved. The public and mercantile buildings are worthy of the population, although many of the structures are old and might be greatly improved.

        There are many comfortable residences, while gas, electricity, good car service, excellent schools, telephones; water, light and gas systems, and other conveniences make the town a place of comfort. Those who have been studying the Panama Canal believe that when the jetties are completed the harbor of Eureka will profit greatly by the trade that will come from many other parts of the world.

        The harbor of Eureka is unquestionably the most important one between San Francisco and the Columbia river. The building of extensive jetties to overcome the terrors of a bad bar is sure to make the shipping interests far more important than they have ever been.

        It is almost impossible to say just what advantages will come to Eureka and other towns when the state highway is finished, along with improved roads, tapping the rich Sacramento valley. The road to Redding and Red Bluff has already brought Humboldt bay within about sixteen hours of the hot and dusty Sacramento valley. The establishing of a summer colony at the mouth of Little river by people from Red Bluff is a hopeful indication of the tendencies of the times. Norman R. Smith and his associates at Red Bluff have laid out an attractive summer resort on the beautiful shores of the Pacific ocean just above the mouth of Little river. It would seem that the coming of a large number of tourists from the vicinity of Redding and Red Bluff is sure to make some of the towns of Humboldt county tourist headquarters during the summer months.

        Business men are already planning to attract such enterprises as flour and feed mills, woolen mills, boot and shoe factories, paper and pulp mills, furniture factories, canning and preserving plants. There is no doubt that the natural resources for these enterprises abound in the vicinity of Eureka.

        Secretary Charles H. Roberts of the Eureka Development Association contributes the following concerning the capital of Humboldt county :

        "Climatically, the claim is made that Eureka has the shortest thermometer in the United States, the annual mean daily range being 10.7 degrees. The maximum temperature is 85 degrees and the minimum is 20 degrees. The annual rainfall is quite heavy, averaging 45 inches, but being well distributed there is no excessive precipitation during the winter months and nothing parched during the summer. Frosts are incidents and snow is practically unknown. Ultimately Eureka will become a great summer resort where those from the heat-oppressed interior may be refreshed.

        "Eureka blocks are laid out two hundred and forty feet square. A majority of the streets are sixty feet wide, although a number are seventy-five feet wide. There are over fifty miles of graded streets. In the business section are three and one-half miles of bitumen paved streets. Crushed rock is used on twenty-five miles of streets. There are twenty miles of concrete walks. The city annually spends between $30,000 and $35,000 on its streets.

        "There are five banks in Eureka. According to the annual reports for 1913 the combined deposits amounted to $5,549,778.

        "The public schools of Eureka are comprehensive in their scope and plan, consisting of kindergarten, grammar and high school. There are six modern school buildings of eight rooms each, all sightly, convenient and commodious, with modern heating and ventilating plants. There are two thousand students enrolled in the schools, four hundred in the high school and sixteen hundred in the grammar grades.

        "A new high school building is now under construction at a cost of $170,000. This is being built of reinforced concrete and when completed, January 1, 1915, will be one of the most artistic and up-to-date school structures in California. The present high school is to become an intermediate high school. The Eureka high school is accredited at Stanford University and at the University of California.

        "In the high school special attention is paid to all forms of woodwork, cooking, sewing and other household arts. Besides literary and debating societies, German, French, Spanish and agricultural clubs, the Eureka high school is exceedingly fortunate in having a first-class school orchestra and a well-drilled glee club.

        "Eureka employs a corps of sixty-six teachers. In the grades special instructors are employed in manual training, domestic science, singing and drawing. The grammar schools of Eureka are especially proud of the well-developed system of home gardening.

        "At a recent election the citizens voted to bond the city for $270,000 to purchase the Eureka water works, which are now municipally owned. The water for Eureka is taken from Elk river, located five and one-half miles south of the city. Water is pumped through sixteen-inch and thirteen-inch transmission mains into two large redwood tanks with a combined capacity of over 1,000,000 gallons, thence by gravity through forty-five miles of distribution mains and 70,000 feet of service pipe to all parts of the city. An 80,000-gallon steel tank has been erected in the higher southern portion of the city at an elevation of sixty-five feet higher than the two redwood tanks from which water is repumped into the steel tank. The system is ninety per cent metered. The water is very soft and of good quality and there is a sufficient quantity for a population of from 30,000 to 40,000. The rates are reasonable ; domestic rates are forty cents per thousand gallons for the first 10,000 gallons ; twenty cents per thousand gallons for all over 10,000 gallons ; special rates are given factories, mills and other heavy consumers.

        "Light and gas in Eureka are furnished by the Western States Gas and Electric Company, which owns and operates three generating plants, two in this city, and one, a hydro-electric plant, containing 1500 kilowatts installed capacity, sixty-five miles east of Eureka. The Eureka plants are both steam turbine stations with a combined installed capacity of 3000 kilowatts. This concern owns one hundred ninety-two miles of pole lines with six hundred eighty-one miles of wire in transmission and distributing circuits. The generating station of the gas works is equipped for an output of 500,000 cubic feet per day. The company reports that within the last ten years the electrical business in this territory has grown 400 per cent. Rates are fixed by the California Railroad Commission.

        "An electric trolley system of street cars is operated over twelve and one-half miles of track, reaching all parts of the city. The service compares with the best on the coast.

        "The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company provides an excellent service with 2500 telephones installed. Communication with San Francisco can be obtained either by telephone or telegraph, the Western Union having an office in this city.

        "Building operations in Eureka during the last few years have been growing, the tendency being toward a better class of buildings and permanent construction in the use of brick, concrete and steel. Within the last two or three years a number of fine public and semi-public structures has been erected, among them the Elks hall; Eagles building; Federal building in which the postoffice, and the offices of the immigration inspector, internal revenue inspector, collector of port, United States engineers, weather observer and land office, as well as the United States District Court, are located ; the county jail, Vance estate building, Gross building and new high school.

        "In 1912 the building operations amounted to $154,241, the residence construction making up one-third. In 1913 the building operations amounted to $188,835, with residences making up fifty per cent of the work. For the first half of 1914 the building operations already total $197,206, and the residences are still fifty per cent of the total construction. Many artistic bungalows and pleasing mansions are found throughout the residence district.

        "Morning and evening newspapers and two weekly publications cover the newspaper field in Eureka, the dailies receiving daily telegraphic service from the Associated Press and the International News Service. The Eureka papers are noted among the most progressive in the state.

        "A mayor and five councilmen form the governing body of Eureka, known as the City Council. The police force is composed of a chief, captain and six patrolmen. An excellent volunteer fire department possesses two hundred seventy-five members in eight different companies, three modern fire engines, an automobile chemical engine, two trucks, ample hose carts and a Gamewell fire alarm system. The City Hall, erected less than ten years ago, cost $125,000. The

Carnegie Free Library of Eureka is one of the show places, having a particularly large stock of books, and one of the finest collections of birds and animals, the result of taxidermist's art, to be found in California. There are more than fifteen churches and thirty-seven fraternal societies. The Humboldt Chautauqua, now two years old, meets in Eureka annually.

        "Within the city limits is Sequoia Park, the city's pleasure ground, comprising thirty-five acres of virgin redwood forest and five acres of playgrounds. Within the confines of the park is a beautiful lake.

        "Eureka being the county seat of Humboldt county, a fine court house occupies a block close to the business section.

        " it is estimated that the present stand of redwood in Humboldt county occupies about 450,000 acres, producing from 100,000 to 200,000 feet of lumber per acre, and valued at from $200 to $600 per acre. Lumbering at the present time is the major industry of the county. Eleven large sawmills in Humboldt send out annually about 200,000,000 feet of redwood lumber through the port of Eureka.

        "Dairying is the second important industry of Humboldt. The annual output of dairy products totals about 10,000,000 pounds with a valuation of $2,000,000. Humboldt was the first California county to engage a scientific farm adviser. In the hills stockraising is followed, fruit culture is given attention on the bench and bottom lands, commercial and sport fishing bring financial and pleasurable returns on all the larger streams, and the wilds abound in game. Good roads generally give opportunity to get to the edge of the wilds without trouble or loss of time.

        "Passenger steamers are operated regularly between Eureka and Portland, and between Eureka and San Francisco. More than twenty steam schooners in the lumber and freight trade call at Eureka from all ports of the Pacific coast. Large freighters carry off shore cargoes of redwood lumber to South America, Australia, China and Great Britain. About 1000 vessels come and go at Humboldt bay during a year, and in that time the port trade averages about $20,000,000.

        "Eureka is but yet in the embryo state. Unhampered by former difficulties of transportation, despite which the city has forged ahead in the past, the Eureka of the next few years will advance with amazing rapidity to its destined place among the leading centers of the Pacific coast."

        In the olden days Eureka was famous for a large number of excellent singers. Men and women now prominent in business and social life belonged to choral societies of the long ago, and these societies frequently carried away honors in contests with musical clubs from other parts of the State. Some of the men who were judges of the Superior Court thirty years ago shone as singers when away from home. At their home and whenever any public musical events were on they were popular because of their splendid voices and training.

        For a number of years there was a lapse of interest in affairs of this character, but about 1911 the Sequoia club of music was started by a number of the musically inclined ladies of the town. Though Eurekans have not shown so much interest in musical events as in the past there is no doubt that this splendid organization has stimulated local interest and brought a number of distinguished musicians to Eureka on the occasion of special musical entertainment.

        In 1913 Judge Clifton H. Connick established a choral society which is known by the. simple name of the Choral Society. He gathered around him twenty or thirty of the best singers in the town and at once began training them in grand opera and other high-class music. At the Elks' Memorial exercises in 1913 this splendid organization gave a musical program that surprised the people of the town and attracted wide attention throughout the State when it was heard of through the reports of strangers who chanced to be present during the memorial exercises. It is the ambition of those who constitute this superb organization to make it so efficient that it will be able to furnish great choral music on public occasions such as conventions and social entertainments.

        The social life of most of the towns of the county is such as to break the monotony of everyday life and prevent the people from falling into a hum-drum existence. In almost every town there are several clubs devoted to musical, literary, civic and social affairs. In most instances it is the women who have forwarded club life and taken an active interest in starting uplifting organizations.

        It is to be regretted that an automobile club and a home products association were allowed to fall by the wayside. The automobile activities have been merged to a great extent in those of the state organization.  it is the purpose of the Humboldt Promotion Committee to do everything within its power to co-operate with the State Home Industry movement, which has headquarters in San Francisco. Roy Fellom, editor and owner of the Home Industries Magazine, has a plan which seeks to bring every county of the State in line with the general movement. It is believed that the completion of the railroad will bring Humboldt county in closer touch with this great movement. The parent commercial organization of Humboldt county is the Chamber of Commerce, a county-wide organization which, though run conservatively, without pretense, noise, or flurry, has accomplished wonderful results in many lines of industry.

        The fundamental purpose of the Humboldt Chamber has always been the furnishing of a dignified channel through which public opinion might express itself authoritatively upon matters of importance to the community, thus giving force and effect to its demand for such public improvements as the needs of the particular section might require. The following account of the early work of the Chamber is from the pen of George A. Kellogg, who has been secretary of the organization, and has ably managed its affairs ever since January, 1892:

        "Incorporated March 13, 1891, as the result of a feeling on the part of the citizens of Humboldt that the Government improvement work on Humboldt Bar needed the support and assistance of the more prominent of Humboldt's citizens, the Chamber has ever since addressed itself largely to the looking out for the larger matters of public improvement, while not neglecting the important work of advertising the resources of the county, nor failing to perform those social duties essential to the proper entertainment of distinguished visitors from abroad.

        "Beginning with a membership of about ninety, the number was rapidly increased to one hundred and twenty; and it has ever since alternated between seventy and one hundred and thirty-five, the variation being in accordance with the activity of its officers and the importance of the public matters receiving its attention. At present the membership is one hundred and twenty-five, nearly half of whom have been members since the beginning of the Chamber.

        "Almost the first work taken up by the Chamber was the endeavor to secure a sufficient appropriation to insure the carrying on to completion of the work of building the jetties at Humboldt entrance. A very forceful memorial to Congress was adopted and forwarded, and by prompt and wise action on the part of Congressman T. J. Geary, assisted by Senator C. N. Felton, this work was placed on the continuing contract list, thus insuring its being carried to completion. News

of this event reached the Chamber on the evening of April 8, 1892; and such was deemed the importance of this matter that a general celebration, participated in by citizens from all over the county, was shortly afterwards held. The committee appointed to secure funds for this monster celebration raised nearly $3500 in about three-quarters of a day; and the parade on the night of the rejoicing was almost a mile in length.

        "The Chamber has also secured three appropriations for dredging the channels of the bay; one of $80,000 and one of $50,000, having been expended some years ago; while the third, amounting to $83,000, will be expended this year.

        "One of the first matters to receive the attention of the Chamber was the securing of a Federal Public Building here. And by dint of continued efforts on the part of the Chamber and our representatives in Congress, an appropriation of $130,000 was last year made for this purpose. A site has been selected, and when the defects in the title are corrected by the friendly suit now about to come up before Federal Judge De Haven, the work of the Chamber in this connection will be ended successfully. It is now nearly fifteen years since the first efforts were made in this matter ; and it is with a feeling of deep relief and satisfaction that those who have been charged with the burden of this work can now foresee the successful end of their labors.

        "Many matters of importance to this city and county have been promoted wholly or in part by the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce. Among them may be mentioned the securing of terminal rates to the Eastern markets for the lumber products of this county, which was solely the work of the Chamber. The re­organization of the city under a special charter ; the building of the woolen mills here; the free delivery of mail in the city; the building of the Harris road, and the road to the Klamath river ; the erection of the Carnegie Free Library ; various improvements in the mail service, and the connection of the Government light houses and life saving stations by telegraph or telephone ; the establishment of a light vessel at Blount's Reef ; and a variety of minor matters too numerous to mention.

        "In the line of advertising the resources of this prolific section, the Chamber has kept fairly well up to the demands and needs of the people. It has made full or partial exhibits at State Fairs, at the Midwinter Fair, at the New Orleans Exposition, at the Chicago World's Fair, and at the Lewis and Clark Exposition. In 1891 it issued a small pamphlet on this county's products, which was mainly statistical. In 1893 it brought out 'In the Redwood's Realm,' the prince of all county advertising books. In 1900 was produced its small pamphlet, 'Humboldt County,' and in 1904 a re-issue of the same was made. In all, more than 50,000 copies of these various books and pamphlets have been distributed. Along with this distribution, the Chamber is continually answering by letter the numerous requests for information about Humboldt which it receives.

        "The Chamber now has under consideration the matter of issuing a new pamphlet, or rather a series of separate pamphlets, upon its various industries, which may all be finally combined to make up one large pamphlet on Humboldt county. But the actual work along this line has not yet been begun, although it soon must be.

        "In the way of entertaining distinguished visitors from abroad, the Chamber has always filled an important place and need. Space cannot be spared to enumerate them all, but, leaving out ancient history, mention may be made of the visits here of the principal officers of the Santa Fe Railway Company in 1905,

and of the Promotion Committee later in the same year. And Government officials visiting here in the performance of their duties have always been well looked after by committees from the Chamber.

        "Statistics of the exports from the county have always been kept up by the Chamber, and its records along this line go back to 1889. Ever since improvement work began on the bar, an annual synopsis of our trade has been furnished to the United States engineers in charge of this district, and has become a part of the engineers' reports, and of the archives of the Government.

        "During the twenty-five years of its existence, the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce has had its periods of depression and inactivity, its times of strenuous action and accomplishment. It has been criticized by members and non­members because it has failed to do this, and because it has done that. But the majority of its critics, both without and within its ranks, fail to realize that such a public organization is at its best, a compromise; that it is composed of a small percentage of the general community, and that its membership is seldom united in opinion upon any one particular matter of method of action.

        "That in the main it has fairly represented the sentiment of the people of Humboldt upon such matters as have come before it, cannot be denied; and that its work has in general been vastly beneficial to this community, is equally impossible of denial. It has room in its ranks for many more members; it is entitled to all the support that can be accorded it; and the greater its support, the more it can accomplish for the newer Humboldt."

        It is with much satisfaction that this history can record the fact that the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce has always had a reputation for accuracy. Mr. Kellogg is a man of sterling character and he would rather understate than exaggerate regarding the resources of Humboldt county. He and the secretary of the promotion committee, which is a branch of the Chamber of Commerce, agree that the county does not need empty-handed men and women, and that nobody should visit any part of the State until he has made a thorough investigation of its resources and opportunities. It is contrary to the principles of the Chamber and of the promotion committee to induce anybody to leap in the dark.

        The following will give an idea of some of the work done by the Chamber of Commerce in whole or in part, in behalf of the entire county, since its organization in 1891:

        "Had the first jetty construction project placed on the continuing contract list, insuring appropriations aggregating $1,500,000.

        "Secured the appropriations for the second jetty project, and its being placed under continuous contract, the full appropriation to be $1,037,400.

        "Secured dredging appropriations as follows : First appropriation, $80,000; second appropriation, $50,000; third appropriation, $83,000; fourth appropriation, $15,000. Total, $228,000.

        "Secured an appropriation for the construction of a coal shed at the light house reservation, which has not yet been constructed, $5,000.

        "Secured the establishment of the light vessel at Blount's Reef.

        "Secured the establishment of the Government wireless station at Table Bluff. "Secured the establishment of the light house at Point Gorda, at a cost of $80,000.

        "Secured the establishment of range lights on the bay channels and on the south jetty.

        "Secured the connection by telephone of the life saving station on the north spit with Eureka.

        "Secured the connection by telegraph of the Wireless Station at Table Bluff with Eureka.

        "Secured the construction of the Carnegie Library, and raised all the funds for that purpose, amounting to: For site, $5,700.00; for building, $26,100.88. Total, $31,800.88.

        "Secured the construction of the Federal Building, at a cost of : For site, $17,434.37; for cornerstone laying, $82.00; for building, $130,000.00. Total, $147,516.37.

        "Aided in directing the sentiment that caused the building of the City Hall.

        "Was instrumental in securing the building of the woolen mill plant.

        "Was instrumental in securing the building of the Harris road.

        "Was instrumental in securing the building of the Klamath road.

        "Was instrumental in securing the free delivery of mail by carrier.

        "Was instrumental in securing various improvements in the mail service at various places throughout the county.

        "Cared for the sufferers by the wreck of the 'Walla Walla.'

        "Cared for the sufferers by the wreck of the 'Columbia.'

        "Took charge of the Relief Fund for the sufferers by the San Francisco earthquake and fire.

        "Entertained visiting Senators, Congressmen, Governors, San Francisco Promotion Committee, and various other distinguished persons and bodies.

        "Made a County Exhibit at the Sacramento State Fair.

        "Made a County Exhibit at the Midwinter Fair at San Francisco.

        "Made a County Exhibit at the Epworth League National meeting at San Francisco.

        "Made a partial exhibit at the Lewis and Clark Fair at Portland.

        "Maintained an incomplete exhibit at the rooms of the State Board of Trade for the last ten or twelve years.

        "Issued and distributed 16,000 copies of "In the Redwood's Realm."

        "Issued and distributed 77,000 copies of "Humboldt County Pamphlet."

        "Issued and distributed 23,000 copies of "Eureka Census Folders."

        "Issued and distributed 20,000 copies of "Climate Folders."

        "Distributed over 35,000 copies of Souvenirs, Sunset Pamphlets, Promotion Folders, Special Editions of Newspapers and miscellaneous advertising matter.        

        "Secured terminal rates for Humboldt lumber and shingles shipped to the East by rail.

        "Was instrumental in securing the re-organization of the city of Eureka under a special charter.

        "Aided in directing the sentiment that compelled the building of the bridge over Eel river at Weott."

        During the year 1914, in spite of general dullness, Humboldt county has had its share of prosperity. It is well known that the banks of the county have always contained a large amount of money deposited by the people, but there has never been anything like a boom or false growth in the county.

        A careful examination of general business conditions of the year 1914 confirms the opinion that prosperity has been general. An increased volume of trade

has been reported by merchants throughout the county. One exception might be made to the statement of general prosperity. Secretary Kellogg wisely said : "I cannot close my eyes to the fact that the leading business industry of Humboldt, lumbering, has not shared in the advance that has appeared general in other lines. For, in this industry not only have the demand and production both fallen off, but prices have not been satisfactory; and it is certain that when the figures for the year have been made up, the totals of shipments and of valuation will both show a considerable decrease from the record figures of 1912. So far as I am able to judge, the principal reasons for these untoward conditions in this trade are the unfavorable weather experienced last winter and spring in southern and central California, with the consequent light crops tending to discourage country building; and the increasing competition from the more cheaply produced fir and pine lumber of the Northwest. The first of these reasons—that of reduced crop production in the market land to the south of us—is transitory. For already has the present winter season progressed far enough to justify the prediction of full crops in the central and southern portions of the State, with a consequent increased demand for the lumber of Humboldt. As to the second reason—the increasing competition of cheaper lumber than is redwood—that will be always with us, or at least until the full commercial opening of the Panama Canal makes possible the increasing markets that are hoped for, and thus removes the sting from the competition of cheaper woods. I am firm in the opinion that when the country is made available to our lumber manufacturers through the opening of the 'big ditch' of Panama, ample and sufficient markets will be opened to redwood lumber to insure profitable returns therefrom. For redwood is a timber like unto itself only; its qualities give it a desirability for many purposes that cannot be fulfilled by any other wood; and the passing years cannot fail to see the demand for its increase, especially as additional markets are opened to it through improved transportation."

        It should be said that the foreign trade has always been the great feature of the lumber business. The number of clearances of vessels averages about forty each year, and the average cargo carried by each vessel approximates a million and a half feet, the average value of the cargo being something more than $32,000.

August 16, 1913, stands out in the history of lumber shipments as the red-letter day. At that time the steamer Algoa, 4,897 net tons, cleared from the port with the largest cargo ever loaded in Humboldt bay. She carried 2,748,275 feet of lumber, valued at $83,670. The fact of this great load and the ease with which it was carried from Eureka led to much favorable comment in the newspapers of San Francisco and Oakland. The British steamer Iran, which took a great load from the port of Eureka in 1911, was almost as large as the Algoa.

        During the last few years a steady improvement has gone on in the condition under which dairying products are produced. About 1912 the advantages of cleanliness and sanitary precautions became pretty well understood, and a movement to obtain the advantages of scientific management was fostered by the dairy association, the Farm Bureau, the newspapers, and the creameries of the county. Humboldt dairymen were also urged to greater precaution by the dairy inspector engaged with the State Dairying Bureau.

        Humboldt county long occupied the place of first in dairy productions, but Stanislaus several years ago took the palm from her.

        In noting the progress of material enterprises in Humboldt county during the last few years the historian cannot omit to mention the importance of the

construction work on the south jetty of the bar. By January, 1913, almost 3,000 feet of rock work had been completed on the seaside of the spit, leaving about 2,400 feet to be completed. During the year 1913 almost 1,000 feet were finished, which left about 700 feet to be built. As the work progresses toward the sea the amount of rock required to bring the jetty up to its level increases, for which reason the work progresses more slowly. It requires about two hundred fifty tons of rock to carry the work one foot toward the sea.

        One of the problems now bothering the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and the public at large concerns appropriations for the completion of the south jetty and for carrying on the work to the north. It is regrettable that a number of members of Congress are stubbornly opposing the appropriation of any further money for the improvement of Humboldt bar. The Chamber of Commerce is doing a heroic work to see that this attitude does not become the prevailing opinion in Congress.

        One of the crying needs of the times is a dredger to clear out the channel of the bay and render effective aid during the storms of winter in the vicinity of the bar itself. Colonel Rees has been and is strongly of the opinion that the harbor should be deepened until it will take ships which draw almost thirty feet of water. By deepening and widening the present channel in accordance with movements now under way the shipping industry will be greatly increased.

        There are a number of thriving towns in the county, each being supported by some industry peculiar to the immediate surroundings. No history of the county would be complete without some mention of these towns and their activity.

        Next to Eureka, Arcata is undoubtedly the most important town in the county. As heretofore said, the establishing of a State normal school there in 1914 gave the town a wonderful impetus. It already had seven churches, three grammar schools, a union high school, a public library well stocked with books, a city hall, a Spanish plaza, a delightful park, and many lodges of all the leading orders—all these are features of the social, intellectual and municipal life of the place.

        The city is exceptionally well lighted by electricity, its streets are macadamized and cleanly kept, the water system is good, the sewage and drainage scientific, the only municipal debt, now much reduced, being one incurred to perfect this system. Arcata is served with three lines of railroad. One of these, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, is destined to give direct communication to San Francisco and the West. With its early completion Arcata's Chamber of Commerce expects to see a phenomenal development in many lines.

        At present the city has a large tannery, a large cooperage manufactory and a shingle mill as its main local industries—not to mention the numerous creameries nearby, all doing a profitable and ever-increasing business—but by the time the railroad is completed the city looks forward to the establishment of many new industries.

        Ferndale is the third city in size in the county, having a population of more than 1,000. Outside of the incorporated limits are many additional residents, the merchants supplying between 1,500 and 2,000 people. It is twenty miles south of Eureka, within three miles of the ocean and the same distance south of Eel river.     It is three miles from the railway, auto stages connecting with all trains.

        Dairying and allied interests support the town. Hundreds of level and fertile acres surround it on three sides. Eight thousand dairy cattle browse on this land, turning the abundant feed into butter fat which has given Humboldt the name of the premier butter county in the State. In North Ferndale is located a dry milk plant, one of three in the United States. In connection is a large creamery, and other creameries are located adjacent to the town. The pay roll for these creameries for the year is $800,000.

        There are many other enterprises, such as moulding mills and iron works. There are two good hotels, a weekly newspaper, two banks, several large general merchandise stores, druggists, men's furnishings, shoe stores, millinery, confectioneries, livery stable, garages, a motion picture theater and other forms of amusement.

        The town is governed by a mayor and council. Saloons are licensed, but run under strict regulation. Modern comforts, such as electric lights, telephones, water and sewer systems, are provided. There is an efficient fire department. Grammar and high schools contain all grades, and the latter an agricultural course. A Carnegie library is maintained.

        There are seven churches maintained in Ferndale : Methodist, Congregational, Catholic, Danish Lutheran, German Lutheran, Episcopal and Adventist. The predominating class of residents are Danish, Swedish and Italian-Swiss. There are thirty secret societies in Ferndale, all of the usual fraternities being represented.

        Adjacent to the town is Salt river, emptying into Eel river near the latter's mouth. In season salmon, steelhead and salmon trout abound in those streams, providing employment for commercial fishermen and sport for rod and reel fishermen. A short distance from town is located a salmon cannery.

        Back of the town is a rich, gradually developing country whose trade goes to Ferndale. On the coast oil indications are being prospected. The productivity of the soil is due largely to continuous high fogs which provide needed moisture the year 'round. Land sells on an average of $400 per acre, though exceptionally well located tracts sell at $500 and even $600 per acre.

        Fortuna is located twenty miles south of Eureka on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Eel river, the main county road and the projected state highway. It is the fourth largest town in the county. The last census enumerates 883 within the incorporated limits. Outside are 300 to 500 other residents served by the merchants.

        Immediately surrounding the town are fertile bottom lands with low lying, heavily timbered hills forming a background. The lowlands are used for grain-raising, dairying, truck gardening, and other raising of cereals and small fruits. Redwood growing on the hills will supply timber for several decades for the two mills which help to support the town, one within the city limits, the other at Newburg at the outskirts of the town.

        During certain seasons of the year Eel river abounds with king salmon, steelheads, and salmon trout, also eels. Commercial fishermen annually take out thousands of dollars' worth of the first two named and the steelhead and salmon trout afford the finest sport known for rod fishermen.

        Fortuna maintains grammar and high schools, containing all grades, a free library, and Christian, Methodist, Catholic and Christian Science churches. Practically all of the fraternal orders are represented with lodges. There are several active social clubs and the usual church societies. There is a Men's club and a boat club.

        The town is governed by a city council of five. There is an efficient fire department with modern equipment. A public water system and several private

companies furnish spring water, providing an abundance of pure water and ample fire protection. The Fortuna Board of Trade is an active organization and a member of the Federated Commercial bodies.

        Fortuna has a good hotel, a bakery, a restaurant, four general merchandise stores, two jewelry stores, drug, hardware, furniture, confectionery, men's furnishings, ladies' furnishings, harness and vehicle stores, millinery, butcher, barber and blacksmith shops, stables and garages, two weekly newspapers, a bank, laundry, real estate offices and an undertaking establishment. There is a public hall and a motion picture theater. The Humboldt Beacon and the Fortuna Advance are the papers.

        The town owns a fine five-acre park. In 1912 the residents by a large majority voted "dry." Both before and since the election the town has grown steadily, many residences and business houses being erected. The people are law-abiding, optimistic, healthy, sociable, and welcome newcomers.

        Fields Landing or South Bay is but six miles south of Eureka. Its location on the bay shore and the Northwestern Pacific Railway makes it a great vantage point. It is next to Eureka so far as shipping is concerned. The Pacific Lumber Company and the Eel River Valley Lumber Company have extensive wharves there, and millions of feet of redwood are shipped annually, much of it to Australia. The railway maintains its shops at South Bay and many men are employed there. The lumber and shipping industries also employ many men. There is a good hotel, several stores and a good school.

        Loleta is thirteen miles south of Eureka on the Northwestern Pacific Railway and has a population of about 500. It is surrounded by rich dairying land which supports many hundreds of head of cattle, this industry being the main support of the town. Libby, McNeill & Libby have a large milk condensing plant there and are building a dry milk plant in connection. There is one other creamery and a number of skimming stations are maintained. During the fall months the large fish buyers from San Francisco congregate in Loleta and annually the sum of $50,000 is paid out for the salmon catch from. Eel river, near by. The town has good schools, water supply, and a sewer system. There is a hotel, a bank, some general merchandise stores and the usual amount of small business enterprises, churches and fraternal societies. Loleta is in no-license territory. Its citizens are prosperous and law abiding.

        Rohnerville is twenty miles south of Eureka and two miles from Fortuna. It is the oldest town in the southern part of the county. In early days it was the end of the road and settlers outfitted there to pack into the hills of Humboldt and Trinity. Its two general merchandise stores still furnish supplies to many ranchers there. The town is surrounded with rich prairie land which is very productive and valued highly by its owners. Hay is a big crop and garden truck, berries and orchard fruits help to support the town. Rohnerville has good schools, a teachers' preparatory school, churches, secret societies, numerous small business enterprises, and electric light and telephone service. It has a good water supply and a population of about 500.

        Trinidad, the oldest town in California but one, is a picturesque village of 250 population. It is twenty-eight miles from Eureka, to the north, being a spot of rugged sea-cliffs and magnificent marine view. It was at one time the post where Captain Grant, afterwards the famous general and president, was stationed. In addition to these facts, Bret Harte wrote his first newspaper story there—a description of an Indian war that took place where the town now stands.  It has two general stores, two hotels, a good school, a beautiful city park, and other interesting features of community life. A new school building, to cost $8,000, is now among the certainties of the near future. There are two trains daily to and from Eureka, while an auto stage connects the town with Crescent City.

        Hydesville is an inland town twenty-five miles southeast of Eureka. Located on a high plateau, it is in the midst of the finest berry land in the county and thousands of boxes of strawberries are harvested annually. Dairying is conducted on a small scale and the town supports a cheese factory. General ranching is also followed to some extent. There are schools, churches and secret societies. The population numbers several hundreds.

        Alton is located twenty-one miles south of Eureka at the junction of the Northwestern Pacific Railway with the branch line running to Carlotta. It has a population of about 500, which is supported by the rich ranch lands surrounding the town. The town has a fine water supply, schools and a number of secret societies. There is a good hotel, a large general merchandise store and a number of small enterprises. A number of fine orchards lie adjacent to the town. General ranching, fruit raising and dairying are the principal industries.

        Metropolitan is a lumber town twenty-three miles south of Eureka, on the Northern Pacific Railway. The Metropolitan Lumber Company operates a mill there and this supports the town. Adjacent logged-off and open lands are used for ranching. School facilities are provided and there are several small stores. The population is nominal.

        Rio Dell is twenty-five miles south of Eureka on the opposite side of the river from the railroad. It has a small population. The town is surrounded by rich land producing grain crops, orchard fruits, and garden truck. It is on the main road passing through the county. There are a hotel and a number of stores, also a public hall. Good schools are provided.

        Scotia is twenty-eight miles south of Eureka on the Northwestern Pacific Railway and has a resident population of several hundred and a very large transient population, owing to its principal industry, lumbering. The mills of the Pacific Lumber Company are located at Scotia and this company owns the entire town and conducts all of the business enterprises. There are two big mills and the annual lumber cut is enormous. Many hundreds of men are employed in the woods, camps and mills of the company. The company maintains cottages for its employes, a school and a large general hospital. A church is supported, there are a number of fraternal societies, and a men's club having a large membership is encouraged by the company. Surrounding lands that have been logged off are being sold and cleared and are very productive.

        Shively is located thirty-eight miles south of Eureka on the Northwestern Pacific Railway, and has a population of about 300. Logged-off lands surround the town and these are being cleared and planted to orchards and garden truck. There are a number of small Italian hotels and two others. There are a general merchandise store and several smaller stores.

        Pepperwoocl is a small settlement about thirty-five miles south of Eureka and on the opposite side of the river from Shively. Surrounding it is extremely rich bottom land and here are raised great crops of garden truck, particularly tomatoes. There is a number of stores and school facilities are provided. Near the town is located the Laurel mill, which is employed in converting a large grove of that timber into commercial lumber.

        Dyerville is an old town located at the forks of Eel river, forty-six miles south of Eureka. Near this town the railway crosses the river and on the opposite bank the new town to be called South Fork is being established. Back of these towns is a rich country. Most of the lands are covered with a thick growth of redwood as yet hardly touched for milling purposes. The open lands grow fine orchard crops. Out of the redwood belt hundreds of hogs are raised on the acorns and other natural foods. A contemplated road leads to the Mattole country, where are valuable fruit lands. This road will bring the Mattole trade to South Fork.. Another road already taps the Bull creek section, located on the South Fork of Eel river. Stock raising, fruit culture, hunting and fishing are the main industries. Schools are provided. There is a good hotel at Dyerville, and a general store.

        Blocksburg and Bridgeville are two of the oldest towns in the southern part of the county. Both are located on the overland road. Bridgeville is forty-eight miles south of Eureka and on the Van Duzen river. Blocksburg is seventy miles from Eureka. Both have hotel accommodations, schools and stores. The population is nominal. Stock-raising is a principal industry. Hundreds of turkeys are also annually raised in that section and driven to market at holiday time. This is the heart of a splendid apple country.

        Alderpoint is one of the newest towns in the county, located on the overland road and the Northwestern Pacific Railway, now building. It is in the extreme southern part of the county, eighty-one miles from Eureka. It has a natural location for a trade center. In the summer its climate is ideal. In the past surrounding lands have been used for grazing cattle and sheep. Many orchards are now being planted. There are school and hotel facilities and a number of small stores. There is only a small population.

        Situated two miles north of Blue Lake, twenty-two miles distant from Eureka, located on and the present terminus of the Arcata & Mad River Railroad, is the town of Korbel, containing a population of some 300. Korbel is a mill town, the Northern Redwood Company owning the land and practically all of the industries. A large mill is operated there, and employs many men. Surrounding level land is used for the growing of small fruits, poultry raising, etc. Aside from the lumber industry, the chief asset of Korbel is its scenic beauty. There is a large tourist hotel, perhaps the finest in the county, and hundreds of outsiders visit the resort each summer. There are excellent fishing and hunting. Nowhere in the county is the scenery of Korbel excelled. There are schools and the usual number of business establishments.

        Blue Lake is an incorporated city situated twenty miles north of Eureka. It is on the Arcata & Mad River Railroad, which connects at Arcata with the Northwestern Pacific Railway. Within the school district there is a population of 1000. Surrounded by heavily timbered hills, and above the fog belt, Blue Lake has an almost perfect climate, unexcelled by any place on the coast. The fertile acres surrounding the town are used for dairying, general ranching, and the raising of berries and small fruits. These, with the lumbering industry, are the chief support of the town. The town is the principal distributing point for all of northern Humboldt. Mines on the Klamath and Trinity are supplied with the necessities through this gateway. The mining industry is largely undeveloped, and has an immense future before it.

        Blue Lake has a grammar school, high school privileges, Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and the usual number of fraternal societies, social clubs, etc. There is a development board, newly organized. It has an excellent water system, an efficient fire department, electric lights, telephones and all modern conveniences. In addition to the daily train service, passenger auto trucks place the town in quick communication with the county seat. Trades in all lines are represented, the business district being such as is usually found in towns of this size. There is a weekly newspaper, the Blue Lake Advocate. Lands may be purchased at reasonable figures and newcomers are welcomed to the community.

        Samoa is located on the peninsula across the bay from Eureka. The Hammond Lumber Company owns the town and operates immense saw mills, moulding mills, etc., employing some 500 men. The company has built a number of substantial houses for the workmen, and the population numbers about 250. Other workmen reside in Eureka. There is an hourly ferry service between the peninsula and the mainland. The peninsula is narrow and the Pacific ocean lies adjacent to the town, a favorite spot during the spring and summer. The distance from Eureka to the wharf line at Samoa is approximately a mile and a half.

        Carlotta is a summer resort located twenty-eight miles south of Eureka. It is on the Northwestern Pacific Railway, being the terminal of the branch line which connects at Alton, six miles distant. It is in the heart of the redwoods. Logged-off or open lands grow unexcelled berries and small fruits. Stages from Carlotta connect with the inland towns of southern Humboldt. Ranchers in that section outfit at Carlotta, thus making it an important shipping point. There is an excellent hotel there and the fishing and hunting are superb. The population is nominal. Opportunities are numerous for the prospective settler.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.