Humboldt County’s first residents hailed from the Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, Chilula, Whilkut and Hupa tribes, among others. They settled on the coast and along the banks of the Trinity and Klamath rivers. The county was created in May 1853 and derives its name from Humboldt Bay, which was “discovered” by a sea otter hunting party in 1806 and rediscovered in 1849. Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay in 1850 and named it in honor of naturalist and explorer Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
Del Norte County has been home to the Yurok and Tolowa peoples for thousands of years. Legendary explorer Jedediah Smith is credited with being the first non-native to enter the region, in 1828. Gold strikes on the Klamath and Smith Rivers in the 1850s led to the settlement of the county, which was created in March 1857. Its name, meaning “the north,” is derived from its position in the northwest corner of the state.
Libraries
Humboldt County Main Branch:
269-1900
1313 Third St., Eureka
www.humlib.org
Hours: Tuesday
noon-5 p.m., Wednesday noon-8 p.m., Thursday noon-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon-5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Children's story time: 10 a.m. Fridays.
Partial list of services at main branch: Children's room; public meeting rooms; equipment for the handicapped; the Humboldt Room (local history and government documents); Serendipity used book store; Kris Kelly Health Information Center (consumer health research). Bookmobile serves residents countywide. Public-use computers available at all branches.
Humboldt County Branch Libraries (hours vary, call branch):
Arcata, 822-5954; Blue Lake, 668-4207; Ferndale, 786-9559; Fortuna,
725-3460; Garberville, 923-2230; McKinleyville, 839-4459; Rio Dell,
764-3333; Trinidad, 677-0227; and Willow Creek, (530) 629-2146.
Humboldt State University Library
826-3416
1 Harpst St., Arcata
Non-students may purchase a borrower's card. No card needed to use materials on site. The library also has a Humboldt Room.
College of the Redwoods Library:
476-4260
7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka
Residents of high school age or older may obtain a free library card. Photo identification required.
Humboldt County Law Library:
269-1270
812 Fourth St., Eureka
Collection for on-site use only. Includes California laws, California case law, regional reports of case law, U.S. codes.
Del Norte County Library: 464-9793
190 Price Mall, Crescent City
Director: Patty Zabel
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Friday through Sunday.
Del Norte County Law Library:
464-8115
450 H St., Crescent City
Collection for on-site use only. Includes California laws, federal supplements, Federal Reporter, California Reporter, California Codes, U.S. Codes, law journals, U.S. Supreme Court reports.