*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 067--- [ad] Books and Stationary 10,000 Songs and Song Books Curiosities of All Kinds J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 67 FIRST IN THE FIELD. It may be news to some to know that the first railroads constructed in the State were built in Humboldt county in 1854. At that date about 25 miles of well graded and substantially constructed roads were in full operation conveying logs to tide-water. Since then iron rails and modern improved locomotives have been substituted. HUMBOLDT AND MAD RIVER RAILROAD. John Vance, an active and enterprising man, desirous of being abreast of the times, in the early '50's asked the people of the Eel River Valley and others who thereby would become beneficially affected, for the right of way and a small subsidy, as a guarantee, in return he agreed to construct and equip a railroad from Eureka up Eel River Valley. The offer was rejected on account of the diametrical opposition to granting subsidies. While others owning land along the route displayed a willing desire to be damaged, for the narrow strip necessary for a roadbed, to the full amount their property was valued at. Mr. Vance was thus compelled to forego a great beneficial enterprise. A railroad project, however, was not abandoned by Mr. Vance, for in 1874 he commenced to build the HUMBOLDT AND MAD RIVER RAILROAD From tidewater to his mill on Mad River, a distance of about six miles. It opened up a large and beautiful section of farming, grazing, and fruit land. This road cost Mr. Vance about $80,000 equipped, etc. Some years ago Mr. Vance constructed and built and extensive wharf and warehouse, and opened the road to the public. In 1875 the South Bay R. R. Co. laid track from South Bay (Field's Landing) to Milford, a distance of about six miles. This road was built entirely for logging purposes, standard gauge, forty-pound T iron. Constructed and equipped it cost nearly $15,000 per mile. J. W. Henderson was the superintendent, The directors of the S. B. R. R. Co. three years later, when the supply for railroad purposes was practically exhausted, proposed extending the road up Eel River Valley. In this enterprise they met with no better result than did Mr. John Vance. The Board of Directors decided to move the rolling stock, track, and all the appurtenances, and invest it in the HUMBOLDT LOGGING RAILWAY CO. This road runs from tide-water up Freshwater creek, a distance of about five miles. The road is graded, substantially built and well equipped. It has about five miles of branch roads connecting the different logging camps of the Excelsior Redwood Co., which does one of the largest lumbering business in the county. ARCATA AND MAD RIVER RAILROAD. This road was incorporated July, 1881. It is single track, narrow gauge road, running from the main ship channel at the northerly end of Humboldt Bay to North Fork via Arcata and Blue Lake. It extends up Mad River about fifteen [ad] Gibbard & Lever, Funeral Directors and Embalmers Undertaking Parlors 3d & H Sts., Pioneer Bgd., Eureka [ad] ---end---