One hundred years ago this week, the Humboldt Standard reported that David Ward of Ryan Slough Nurseries had purchased the former Bunderson ranch in Freshwater. “Ward expects to establish a nursery on his new property as well as keeping a few cows,” the Nov. 24, 1923 newspaper said. The Humboldt Standard went on to note […]
The Fortuna Rodeo sponsored by the Humboldt County Stockmen’s Association was wrapping up three days of activities 100 years ago this week. According to the Sept. 1, 1923 Humboldt Standard, a highlight of the last day of the rodeo was the bucking contest finals, with six contestants Slim Holder, Shorty Davis, Reckless […]
Children who grew up in Eureka in
the 1920s were about as likely to experience the joys of sucking on a piece of
ice as a child in the Mojave Desert. But
there were a select few of us living on
Brett Street (now 14th Street), who, for
several years, enjoyed this rare treat
every summer. How co
An important contribution to the history of the Industrial Workers of the World. A superb account by a rank'n'file Wobbly organiser; on the road, on the job, on strike, in jail, on the run, coast to coast.
click to enlarge A Nov. 5, 1928 clipping from the Humboldt Times. These three headlines tell a story: Ferndale Invades Fortuna,
Humboldt Times, Nov. 5, 1928. Leo Gallagher Funeral Held,
Humboldt Times, Nov 7, 1928. I d heard of a period when there was no football at Fortuna High School due to the death of a student athlete, but I never knew the story until an article about the incident by Alex Service, a museum curator at the Fortuna Depot Museum showed up in my faculty mailbox at Fortuna High. It was titled, Tragedy in Fortuna. It was so interesting, I shared it with my classes. The story is heart-wrenching but it also gives some insight into the differences in society between then and now.