*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 071--- [ad] Pianos and Organs LATEST ASSORTMENT SHEET MUSIC J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 71 is the efficient secretary of the road. This road is the best equipped and most systematically managed in the county. It passes through one of the most fertile valleys in the State, and it has been through the energetic efforts of Mr. Vance that Eel River Valley enjoys its present prosperity. PACIFIC LUMBER CO'S. RAILROAD. The Pacific Lumber Co's. R. R. connects with the E. R. & E. R. R. at a point a short distance below Burnell's Station, continuing up the South Fork of Eel river to a point opposite Rio Dell. This road is used almost exclusively by its owners for the transportation of its lumber product. However, within the last year a passenger train has been added, with two service trains daily, between Alton and Scotia. In consequence the people along the South Fork of Eel River have been considerably benefitted. There is no doubt in the minds of those best acquainted with the geographical situation of the county, about this being the key to an overland railway. The music of the steam horse, whose accompaniments are the ax and saw, awakens the echoes of the once uninhabited fastnesses of the hills and valleys. How magical is the touch of labor! How beautiful are the results! The vicissitudes of time, and the presence of enterprise and energy have placed Humboldt in the front rank of local railway facilities. It can be truthfully asserted that no other county has equal local rail communication. SHIP BUILDING A Flourishing Industry [Drawing of a sailing ship not included.] THE SHIP-BUILDING interest is a very important one. There are two regular ship.yards, H. D. Bendixsen's and Peter Matthews', and a marine railway, the latter equipped with all the modern appliances of marine science and capable of taking out vessels of the largest class plying our waters which has proved a great convenience to our ship-owners both in time and the matter of economy, and has proved a source of profitable investment to the owners. At this time there are three vessels under course of construction and a number more have been projected. Over one hundred vessels have been built at the various ship-yards of Humboldt Bay, and they have won the name of being superior crafts. There is a [ad] Gibbard & Lever Do All Styles of Upholstering AND Repairing PIONEER B'DG. Cor. 3d & H St [ad] ---end---