Jessie Faulkner - Arcata

We are indebted to many for their help with this book. First, the Humboldt County Historical Society thanks the many members and non-members, near and far, who have donated their families images and records of time spent in Humboldt County, some of which are shared here. The photos featured come from the collections of Helen DeZordo Cates, Kay Gott Chaffey, Harriet Tracy DeLong, Jon Humboldt Gates, Franny and Bess Givins, Robert Goss, Roy Gustafson, Don and Lila Lea Haffner, H. Brett Melendy, Leonard Nielson, Martha Roscoe, Robert Titlow, and Tom Woods. Were honored by your trust and your contribution to the ever-changing puzzle of the North Coasts past.

To Edie Butler of Humboldt State Universitys Humboldt Room, thank you for making many of long-time Arcata resident and professional photographer A.W. Ericsons images part of this collection. Edie deserves credit also for access to the Ruth Horel Collection, property of the Historic Sites Society of Arcata, and, of course, the balance of the HSU photos that complete the depiction of Humboldt Normal School, Humboldt State College, and, finally, Humboldt State University.

Anyone with the slightest interest in Arcatas history may have long admired Pete Hesss photographic collection hanging on the walls of his business, Hensel Hardware, at the corner of Tenth and I Streets in Arcata. Were thrilled and grateful to include a sample of those precious imagesespecially of the cows on the plaza. The willingness of lifelong Arcata resident Vivian Ziegler to loan her familys images to this effort is much appreciated. Zieglers mother and father were among the many Swedish immigrants who made Arcata their home around the turn of the 20th century.

The actual work of putting this volume together would not have been possible without the many hours of effort put in by Humboldt County Historical Society research assistant Catherine Mace, a sixth-generation resident of Humboldt County. Despite busy days and few available hours, Catherine brought together the materials used to provide a deeper context for the images. Her efforts were aided immensely by Arcata historian Susie Van Kirks 1979 volume, Reflections on Arcatas History: Eighty Years of Architecture .

Research and collections manager Matina Kilkennys assistance in creating a path to the historical societys many images of Arcata and offering encouragement was invaluable, as was her help in fine-tuning both photo credits and captions. Humboldt County Historical Society executive director Denise Giltzows well-refined eye for detail and penchant for order were crucial to making all the parts fall into place, tasks she took on between the many administrative duties that more than fill her hours at the Gross-Wells-Barnum House, the societys beloved office and research center. She remained confident in the projects outcome. Thank you, Denise. Thank you, reader, for peeking between these covers.

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One

PLAZA

Arcata resident George Zehndner, wishing to honor the memory of President William McKinley, commissioned a statue of the late president in 1906a work that nearly became a casualty of the 1906 earthquake and fire. Sculptor Haig Patigians statue, which was thrown to the floor of the San Francisco foundry, escaped damage when its backward fall was broken by a plaster cast. Although charred, McKinleys bronze likeness survived the fire that followed when workers removed it to the middle of the street. Arcatans celebrated the sculptures unveiling on July 4, 1906. (Courtesy of Humboldt County Historical Society.)

The Plaza Improvement Committee banned cows from the plaza after the bandstand was completed in 1901. Livestock had likely grazed on the plaza since the Union Company deemed Block 167 a park or plaza. Mule corrals were common on the plaza during the days of pack trains. By the time of the 1901 ban, plaza livestock included cows and at least one goat. (Courtesy of Peter Hess.)

One of the earliest images of the plaza, this 1870 view looking southwest shows Augustus Jacobys fireproof store, built in 1857, on the far right. The white building to the left is the hotel and saloon run by Jacoby and Alexander Paskesher. (Courtesy of Humboldt County Historical Society, Roscoe Collection.)

The Plaza Improvement Committee planned and completed this impressive bandstand in 1901, but it was removed just five years later to make way for the statue of President William McKinley. The fence that surrounded the green was torn down shortly after the bandstand appeared and the first palm trees were planted in 1903. (Courtesy of Humboldt County Historical Society.)

The west plaza businesses in this undated photo show a tailor shop second from the corner, on the left, and the Humboldt Manufacturing Company office fourth from left. The peaked bell tower of Arcata Grammar School can be seen in the upper right background. (Courtesy of Ericson Collection, Humboldt State University Library.)

This view shows the north and west sides of the plaza between 1906 and 1914. Benches are set out for an unknown event. (Courtesy of Humboldt State University Library.)

These well-decorated Fourth of July celebrants round the corner of Ninth and G Streets to join the community-wide celebration on the plaza. (Courtesy of Ericson Collection, Humboldt State University Library.)

Arcata residents gather on the plaza on Independence Day 1908. The Union Hotel, just left of the bunting-decorated Brizards in the background, included the Union Restaurant and Saloon in the 1860s and was owned by several parties. Jacob Richert eventually took over management from 1871 to 1881, the same year the 1860s structure was removed and rebuilt. A variety of retail businesses were opened in the hotels first floor over the years. The top story burned in 1936. (Courtesy of Humboldt County Historical Society.)