Humboldt County Historical Society

This week's History Nuggets blog is about Southern Humboldt - check is out at https://www.humboldthistory.org//20/4/15/southern-humboldt

Have we got a deal for NEW MEMBERS! Want to become a member, or give a new gift membership to a friend or family member? From today through July 1st, our basic membership cost has been marked down for new members from $38/year to $30/year. That's a savings of 20% for a year's membership! Check out membership benefits at https://www.humboldthistory.org/bookstore/annual-memberships and select "Basic (New Member Discount)." We can also accept checks or Visa and Mastercard over the phone.

There are so many unidentified photos at the Society. Anyone know this gentleman?

This week's blog is about Fort Humboldt! Check it out on our website at https://www.humboldthistory.org/history-nug//fort-humboldt

We've had a few people ask when Jerry Rohde's follow-up book to "Both Sides of the Bluff" will be coming out. Per an email from Jerry: "I have about three months of work left, if all goes well, and then it will take some time for layout and design. This one will be published by the Humboldt State University Press. It will be about 475-500 pages long and should have over 200 illustrations, including over 100 in color." In short, it won't be coming out any time soon, but will be well worth waiting for!

We have a new book in stock! "Timber Industry Ghosts" by Jeff Moore is about the "ghosts" of the Pacific Coast states, including, of course. Humboldt County. There are beautiful photos on nearly every page! https://www.humboldthistory.org/book/timber-industry-ghosts

The 2021 Historical Society Calendars are here! The Calendars can be purchased online at humboldthistory.org, and can also be found at these Humboldt Petroleum gas stations: Shell Station at 3505 Broadway in Eureka, Shell station at 111 W. Harris St. in Eureka, Shell station at 1310 5th St. in Eureka, Chevron station at 421 J. Street in Arcata, Shell station at 1401 G Street in Arcata, Texaco station at 390 S. Fortuna Blvd in Fortuna, Shell station at 723 S. Fortuna Blvd. in Fortuna, Shell station at 1791 Riverwalk Drive in Fortuna, Shell station at 582 Wildwood Ave. in Rio Dell, Shell station at 600 Redwood Drive in Redway, and the Shell station at 860 Redwood Drive in Garberville.

Ever wondered what it was like to be stuck on a stump in the bay while your friends on shore laughed at you? Read on for the damp adventure of Joe Tydd ... TYDD FACES A STUMPY FATE Humboldt Standard, Monday, October 28, 1912... Marooned on a deserted stump with no food to eat and only questionable water to drink, was the fate which Joseph Tydd, well known Eurekan and follower of Isaac Walton, met yesterday afternoon. Only through the grace of a kindly ebb tide and the great store of patience with which he is endowed, was he allowed to return to dry land after an experience which his friends declare, would make Robinson Crusoe jealous. Joe went fishing yesterday armed with his rod and line and a few other fishing implements. Arriving at Ryan’s slough and spying an inviting stump just off the store he unstrapped his outfit, mounted the stump, cast the festive line and awaited a bite. But he got what he was not waiting for. An incoming tide began playing around his line and at the same time nibbled higher and higher on the stump, and then went higher still, until of a sudden Joseph looked behind him. No friendly shore greeted his eyes but only a vast (it looked vast) expanse of water. Would he swim? No, he wouldn’t, because the water was wet and cold at that. Nor would he jump. He could only remain there and look starvation and a terrible fate in the face while his companions, including Uly Evans, et al, looked on in ill-concealed grief with a little joy mixed in. Tydd waited and waited. The hours sped by and so did the tide. Well, at any rate, about four hours after seeking the fish he dismounted and today is writing a series of articles for the Outlook on his adventures for which he will received, ‘tis claimed, at least a dollar per word.

SHOT WITH BOTTLE OF APPOLINARIS Humboldt Standard, Monday, October 31, 1910 A funny episode occurred last night in the barroom of Eagle House, an Italian hotel at Second and C streets. A customer, somewhat the worse for liquor, called for a hot drink at the bar, and when the barkeeper passed it to him, the drunken fellow found fault with the concoction and threw it in the face of the barkeeper. The latter retaliated by grabbing a bottle of fiz [sic] water of some kind and thr...owing it at the irate customer. The bottle missed its mark and struck the wall of the saloon where it broke and exploded with a noise like a pistol shot. In fact, everyone within sound of it believed that a shot had been fired, and one of the strongest believers was the man at whom the bottle had been thrown. With a yell he turned and raced down the street and plunged into the bay at the foot of C street. He was rescued by someone on the wharf, but even after being hauled up onto the wharf he insisted that he had been shot. See more

The new 2021 Calendar is available! This year, we partnered with the Timber Heritage Association to produce "Iron Beauties of the Redwood Curtain." Your purchase of this calendar ($10.08 for pickup or $12.08 mailed, includes tax) will give you year-long insight into our railroad history, and support two local historical associations! While you're at it, check out our holiday sale - 20% off on all regularly priced books for members, and 10% off for non-members. It's a good time to buy gifts for the holidays! https://www.humboldthistory.org//9ch3jqxso4dxy51qfu1aswkcu

Our newest blog is about Prohibition in Humboldt County. Check it out at https://www.humboldthistory.org//30/prohibition-in-humboldt

Did you know that HCHS has recipe books? Many churches and other groups have produced local recipe collections over the years. This one is commercial (circa 1950s), but appropriate for the Thanksgiving holiday. Coming up in 2021: Humboldt Historian articles about old-timey local restaurants. (Yes, our editor is a foodie!)