Humboldt County Historical Society

CAREFUL STEWARDS OF HISTORY SINCE 1947

Since 1947 the Society has worked to preserve original historical materials related to Northern California history. Membership, which originally stood at 117, now numbers nearly 3,700, making us one of the largest county historical organizations in the state. Members receive the Humboldt Historian, our quarterly magazine, voting privileges, and discounts in our bookstore. Membership is open to all persons.

PRESERVING HISTORY FOR THE FUTURE

Our purpose is straightforward, yet comprehensive: to serve residents and friends by fostering greater awareness and appreciation of people, places, events, and activities of Humboldt County and related areas.

Our mission is carried out in the following ways:

By acquiring, preserving, interpreting, creating, and disseminating historical information
By educating and assisting others to do the same

Indian men and their fishing nets
(Freeman Art)

To achieve these goals, the Humboldt County Historical Society publishes an outstanding quarterly magazine, the Humboldt Historian; maintains a thorough reference library; prints historical books; records and transcribes oral histories of knowledgeable residents; archives valuable collections, and makes the information in those collections available to researchers.

LEARN ABOUT TODAY FROM YESTERDAY

Before the advent of rail service in 1914, travel
to San Francisco was by sea. The steamship Pomona
boards passengers in Eureka.

Are you curious about the old ship shown in the photograph a friend gave to you? Trying to discover if the property you want to buy is on a flood plain, or has been exposed to hazardous waste? Seeking information on your great-grandmother, who you think once ran a post office in Humboldt County? Planning a proposal to the city council, and want to gain insights into previous actions?

Workers with their products at a millinery in Fortuna.

Chances are the Humboldt County Historical Society is the place for you to start.

We offer a wide variety of resources that can help you discover important information about land-use issues; lifestyles of the native peoples, who had cared for this land for thousands of years before the white settlers arrived; and even the names of the famous actors who used to play at the Margarita Theatre!    The North Coast of California has always been blessed with an abundance of skilled writers and photographers. From the earliest days, right down to the present, Humboldt County history has been well recorded.

The archives of the Humboldt County Historical Society contain:

• More than 85,000 photographs
• 200 Maps and architectural drawings
• 1,000 books, booklets and yearbooks
• Family letters and scrapbooks, the records of businesses and organizations and a general information file that includes essays, family biographies, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, event programs and obituaries.
• Genealogical resources ranging from early census indices and vital records to city directories, wills, voter registration records and comprehensive collections gathered by past and present local historians.