The Mendocino Coast is known for its breathtaking beauty. Jagged cliffs surround pristine beaches. Giant redwoods follow the coastline. It's no surprise that many movies have been filmed here. Artists have been consistently drawn to the area, as well as outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing, kayaking, and cycling down Highway 1 are all very popular. Native Americans first inhabited the area until it was discovered by those looking for timber. In the 1800s, milling operations dotted the coast. Logging railroads were built, and wharves constructed. Dog hole schooners (called that because the ports were so small that only a dog could turn around) dipped into coves to pick up lumber. Now those same coves are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Historic homes have been preserved into inns and museums. Lighthouses offer a glimpse in the past, as does the skunk train. The entire town of Mendocino is a historic landmark. Enjoy this look at the Mendocino Coast through time.

Together With The Correlated History Of The Union Lumber Company And How Coast And Company Grew Up Together.

Driving Highway 1 along the Mendocino coast is a scenic adventure that draws thousands of visitors every year. Following the coast from Gualala on the south to Needle Rock in the north can be a challenge and features back-road driving. But imagine 100 years ago. Were there roads then too? How did people move along the coast? And what were they doing? Why did they settle here? Forget the Gold Rush and the forty-ninersÃ--timber was king here. Logging, milling, and shipping wood was the focus of the economy. Railcars steamed through the forests, and ships pulled up to rickety landings to load shipments for faraway places. Today some coast views remain the same, while others have changed dramatically, and whole towns have vanished over the century.

Mendocino County's rich history goes back to well before the conquering of the native lands by the white man beginning with the removal of the original Californio brown skins in 1846 with the "Mexican American Wars" that was in reality a mass genocide. This was followed by the 1849 California Gold Rush and CA statehood in 1850 when bounty was placed on the native brown skins by California's first governor. The world had never seen such massive 3,000 year old redwood trees before and as soon as the "new settlers" came to California. So dog ports were built all along the Mendocino coast for their resource extracting involving impossible engineering feats to harvest these ancient trees to the coast for sale and profits.Thousands of men, hundreds of trains and dozens of saw mills were put in place during the mid-late 1850's. Additionally, Mendocino has a history of a very dark side including a massive Insane Asylum built in the 1890's as well as a KKK organizations and such characters as Jim Jones and Charles Manson who integrated into Mendocino before committing their atrocities. This book rewrites Mendocino like no other book before. Enjoy.

The Sonoma Mendocino coastline, famous for jagged cliffs, timber-filled ridges, and pounding surf, has been home to many people from varying histories and backgrounds. Pomo tribes, renowned for basketmaking, who were the first settlers and descendants, still live in the area. From early pioneers such as George Call, H.A. Richardson, Cyrus Robinson, J.A. Hamilton, and Antonio Stornetta to Pomo spiritual leader Essie Parrish and the founders of Sea Ranch (Al Boeke, and the team of designers and architects Lawrence Halprin, Charles Moore, William Turnbull, Donlyn Lyndon, and Richard Whitaker), the Sonoma Mendocino coast has many legendary locals. This area also has been home to renowned artists, musicians, writers, scientists, educators, and business leaders. Community services are especially vital to rural areas. Dedicated volunteers created Gualala Arts, services for seniors and youth, the Coast Library, theater groups, and restored historic buildings such as the famous Point Arena Lighthouse. These unsung heroes have brought new meaning to this vibrant community.