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Our Community
Also today, nearby Lake Mendocino is popular for outdoor day recreation and camping. Family wineries have dotted southeastern Mendocino County for more than 100 years. Though some pears remain, the valleys are mostly filled with vineyards. The Russian River Valley and Anderson Valley appellations are among the most recognized in all of California. Quaint Hopland, once a prime hops growing region, has become a thriving, revitalized tourist destination. The population center, Ukiah, serves as a business and retail hub and the county seat. It supports a regional community college, Mendocino College, and a community airport. Willits, once a thriving lumber domain, is undergoing transformation into a community of boutique arts and collectibles. It is home to the famous Skunk Train. Mendocino County possesses many of the best rural qualities—agricultural landscapes, rugged mountains and spectacular coastline. Its towns offer affordable housing, convenience and services without congestion. Ukiah History In 1856, Ukiah's first settler, Samuel Lowry, built a log cabin on the southwest corner of Perkins and Main Streets. Since then, many more settlers made their homes in the Ukiah Valley. Mendocino County originally covered several Mexican Land Grants known as the Sanel or Felix Grant, the Yokayo Grant, and the Grant del Norte or Garcia Grant. In 1850, by an act of the California Legislature, Mendocino County became part of Sonoma County. In 1859 a separate county government was established. Ukiah was located in the Yokayo Grant. The word Yokayo comes from the Indian word meaning "deep valley". In 1860, at a cost of $9,000, a brick courthouse was constructed where the present day courthouse still stands. The city's first hotel was built in 1858 by Harrison Standley. The hotel was on the southwest corner of Main and Standley streets. 1860 also marks the year the county's first newspaper, The Mendocino Herald, was established. Until 1865 it reported on the Civil War under the heading "The Arrival of the Pony." In 1889 the first train steamed into Ukiah and land prices went quickly boomed with bare lots going from $30.00 to $150.00! The town grew and prospered. Soon drug stores, several saloons, doctor and lawyer offices, and livery and feed stables were built around the courthouse. By this time, nearly 2,000 thousand people lived in Ukiah. 1917 is referred to by old-timers' as the "year of the big fire". The blaze started in the livery stable next to the Maple Cafe (which is the Palace Place today). Soon, the entire west side of the State Street was aflame. The rebuilding started immediately and before long Ukiah was once again the hub of county activity. By the end of the 1940's, lumber camps were springing up all over the county. Redwood became a popular wood of the day. During the Lumber Rush of 1949, Mendocino flourished processing the "red gold." About this time the population was around 6,000. There was one elementary school, Yokayo School, where the Civic Center stands today. One new housing development, Mendocino Gardens, and several small churches. The medical and dental community consisted of five doctors and three dentists.
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A
short two hour drive north of San Francisco on Highway 101, the cities
and towns become smaller and melt into countryside. At the Mendocino
County line, travelers enter the Russian River Gorge, offering
picturesque, boulder-strewn views of the river. The highway wends
through valleys once famous for orchards and resorts. Jack London
and his contemporaries frequented Vichy Hot Springs for renewal,
just as modern travelers do today.