Booklet/magazine, printed in 1972. Used copy, good condition.

Between its soft covers, we have a very readable historical account of one of our county's most significant regions. This is Eel River Country . . . pioneering in the redwoods by noted historian and newspaper writer Andrew Genzoli.

       Its 57 pages, along with photographs and ads for sponsoring local businesses, give us a comprehensive view of this significant area's past. It begins with  an informative account of the early Euro-American exploration and a description of the branches of the Eel and and its valley. Then we go on to the life of the indigenous tribes and their conflict with the influx of white settlers. Much of this includes period letters and newspaper accounts.

       Several themes are touched on in the following pages. Transportation subjects include the uniting role of the Singley Ferry, and efforts to increase our link to the outside world such as the development of stage lines and the Northwest Pacific Railroad. Other segments cover the founding of various communities and the notable men connected with them: the Shaw brothers and the Russ family around Ferndale, Father Henneberry and Henry Rohner for Rohnerville,  the founders and changing names of what was to become Fortuna, plus many vignettes about little communities, their names and settlers.

       There is also coverage of some of the area's significant events, such as the long-running Fortuna rodeo, the building of Fernbridge, the driving of the NWP Golden Spike, and the disastrous floods of 1955 and 1964.

       Altogether this booklet gives a very readable overview of an area that not only physically links our county together but that highlights many of the historical themes we share. An informative and enjoyable read.