Del Norte County

Del Norte County Map
Crescent City Map
Coastal Conservancy Projects in Del Norte County
Sources

• Del Norte: County "of the north" named in 1857 by Legislature. Begins at 42nd parallel, border between Oregon Territory and land ceded by Mexico in 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

• Smith River: River, town, county park, named for mountain man Jedediah Smith who explored area 1828; only undammed river in California.

• Near Yontocket Slough: Tolowa Indian Village Site (Tolowa's in this area, Yurok's in Klamath River area).

• Pacific Shores Subdivision: Undeveloped 1960's subdivision in coastal wetlands, stopped only after Coastal Commission denied permit.

• St. George Reef Lighthouse: Completed in 1892 after difficult construction; stimulated by 1865 sinking of Brother Jonathan. Abandoned 1975; Fresnel Light in Crescent City Museum.

• Crescent City: Historic town settled 1852 as port for lumbering, mining in nearby mountains; much of waterfront area destroyed by 1964 tsunami (seismic wave); markers on downtown buildings showing height reached by wave.

• Pebble Beach: Historic marker for Tolowa Indian site.

• Preston Island: Now peninsula; quarried for breakwater.

• Brother Jonathan Park: Cemetery, historic marker, for Brother Jonathan wreck 1865.

• Crescent City Lighthouse: Battery Point Lighthouse, open for viewing.

• Beach Front Park: Remains of SS Emidio, sunk by sub 1941.

• Crescent City Harbor: Tetrapods, huge concrete "jacks" used to rebuild and protect jetty following 1964 tsunami.

• Whale Island: Now connected by breakwater; whaling station, Tolowa Indian village remains.

• (Nearby) Historical Society Museum (6th & H): Indian & pioneer artifacts; St. George Fresnel Light.

• (Nearby) Del Norte Co Visitors Center (Front Street) and Redwood National Park Visitors Center (2nd & K): cultural & natural history.

• (Nearby) Jedediah Smith State Park: Remains of Camp Lincoln, 1862, in NW corner.

• Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park: Old Coast Highway is now a trail, remnants visible below accumulated redwood needles; historic markers indicate early groves saved.

• Wilson Creek Beach: 19th century DeMartin farmstead just across Highway One, now a hostel.

• Klamath River: State's second largest, designated a California Wild and Scenic River; its flooding has caused relocation of Klamath City.

• Requa: Fishing village since 1870's; then ferry and cable service across Klamath river; interpretive Yurok trail.

• Requa Inn: On site since 1885; current building 1914.

• Klamath City: Inland on river 1851; first on south side, then north, rebuilt again after Klamath flood 1964.

• Douglas Memorial Bridge: Built in 1926, swept away in flood of 1964, only golden bear statues at south terminus remain.

• World War II radio station: Concealed as false ranch houses; on Coastal Drive near Flint Ridge Trail.