County Histories

A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California - Chicago, Lewis Publ. Co., 1891

MODOC COUNTY.

        This county is named after an Indian tribe that formerly ranged in the northeastern part of California. Their true name is Moadoc—a name which originated with the Shasta Indians and means all distant, stranger or hostile Indians. The name was applied by the whites to this tribe in early days from hearing the Shastas speak of them. The county is bounded on the north by Oregon, on the east by Nevada, on the south by Lassen and Shasta counties, and on the west by Siskiyou County.

        Modoc may be considered a high sage plateau, the plains broken by low ranges of mountains, the general elevation being over four thousand feet above sea level.. The more elevated mountain range, the Warner, strikes north and south across the eastern border.

        There are numerous lakes, which, though covering a large area, are, for the most part, shallow. Pit River is the only large stream within the county limits. It has its origin in Goose Lake, on the northern border. A portion of this lake lies in the State of Oregon. Issuing from its source, the Pit flows in a southwesterly direction centrally across the county.

        Excepting on the slopes of the Warner Range, before mentioned, where grow heavy forests of pine and cedar, there is but little timber in Modoc. The plateau is covered with a variety of wild grasses, which afford good pasturage, and the stock subsisting thereon are generally in fine condition. In the valleys good farming land is found. Surprise Valley is the largest in extent, and is noted for the richness of its soil.

        Mineral springs abound everywhere, for the waters of which medicinal virtues are claimed.

        The principal towns in the county are: Alturas, the county-seat; Fort Bidwell, a military post; Cedarville and Adin, the principal mining center, and Eagleville.

While Modoc may and, no doubt, does contain mineral deposits of many kinds and of much importance, none of ascertained value has yet been discovered. Many years ago a number of silver-bearing lodes were located in the mountains, near Surprise Valley, and some prospecting work done. On one of the locations a quartz mill was erected, but owing to the remoteness of the place, and, in some measure, to Indian hostilities, the work of development was tardy, and, when the mill was destroyed by fire, finally abandoned. The amount of bullion obtained from the working was inconsiderable, so the extent and value of existing deposits are left, as yet, undetermined. The settlers in the county have turned their attention chiefly to farming and stock-raising; mining is nearly altogether neglected. In Lassen County, just over the southern boundary of Modoc, quartz mines are being worked. (For further description see Lassen County.) Modoc's mineral wealth is yet lying dormant, awaiting the awakening hour of enterprise.

        For an account of the Modoc war see page 55. For State senators representing this county see page 81, and for Assemblymen see adjoining counties.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.