Humboldt County Historical Society

Knowing how hard life must have been for the early pioneers, I always find myself delighted anew when I come across evidence of just how thoroughly and joyfully they entered into their celebrations. The Fourth of July was an occasion that always brought out the festive spirit of early-day Humboldters.

By the 1880s every town had its own 4th of July revels, with the area's many new immigrants quickly catching on and joining in. The folks in Ferndale paraded en masse to Centerville Beach in decorated buggies, carrying elaborate picnics and wearing new dresses and hats hand-made for the day. Arcatans raced bicycles around the Plaza, climbed a greased pole, and tried to catch a greased pig. Eureka, the county seat, went all out with three days of parades, bands, speeches, baseball games, fireworks, confetti carnivals, illuminated regattas on the bay, and two grand balls.

Fourth of July parade, Eureka, early 1900's. Float at 2nd and F Streets.

But even Eureka's three-day extravaganza was eclipsed in 1906 by Arcata's July 4th festivities, the most ambitious event in Arcata's history up to that time. The unveiling of the McKinley statue, which had so recently survived the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, was the motive for the big event.

In anticipation of out-of-town visitors, Arcatans were urged to "put their best foot forward," and to decorate their homes and businesses. "Arcata has always been known as the cleanest town in the county," reports the Arcata Union, "and we will have a chance to prove it on the 4th."

They did get their chance: over 2000 people attended the 4th festivities, with visitors pouring into Arcata by trains, buggies, and automobiles. The day began with the dedication of the McKinley statue-the heartfelt gift of George Zehndner-followed by the ever-popular fire department hose races, with William Ericson's team making the two-block run and laying hose in just forty seconds, for a $20 prize.

The 2000 then made their way to Redwood Park for an afternoon of feasting and dancing. A huge pit barbecue of beef, mutton, and pork had been laid the previous day, with the meat placed between straw and surrounded by layers of hot rocks and ash, and cooked overnight. The meat was dug out at noon and Quincy Jones and Pete Trace pitchforked it onto 300 feet of tables. In addition to the barbecue, there was coffee, cream, bread, butter and ham, all free of charge.

There were no paper plates, of course: each family group brought their own dishes and cups in which to carry away the edibles, while all through the park, parties of revelers sent forth delegates with buckets to fill with the free food. Unfortunately, the committee had only planned for 1500 guests, so not all plates and buckets were filled.

At one o'clock the band struck up and people danced on the park's new dancing platform until 4 p.m.; then it was back to the Plaza for foot races, contests, and, most popular of all, a bucking burro from Glendale. Evening brought fireworks as well as "electric lighting effects"-the Union Hotel, Brizard's, the Wahl & Yocum Saloon, and the H Street Mfg. Co. Store had all been newly wired for the occasion.

I hope no one is getting tired because there is still the masquerade ball at the Excelsior Rink, with costumed skating until 1:00 a.m. and then dancing until 3:00 a.m. Already, 600 skaters and dancers in "pretty as well as ridiculous costumes," to quote the Union, have been counted on the dance floor, with another 400 spectators in the hall's seats. If you just can't stay on your feet another minute, the committee-we must thank chairman Frank Smith for this extraordinary day-is bringing in more chairs from the Plaza right away. See more photos at www.humboldthistory.org.

Historical Photos of Fourth of July in Humboldt County