*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 077-- [ad] Headquarters For Useful Varieties and ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 77 will not only afford a good living to an economical family, but will also create a surplus to begin an account at the bank, and we advise those who contemplate coming to this county to locate, if they intend to embark in farming, to buy small farms in good localities and they will on a small amount of capital and a good amount of work, find themselves well off in the course of a very few years. COUNTY WEALTH. An examination of the County Assessor's returns reveals the following for the year ending July 30, 1890: Real estate ........................ $10,701,867 Improvements on the same............ 1,215,915 City and town lots.................. 1,810,476 Improvements in same................ 1,406,520 Telegraph and telephone lines....... 5,525 Mining Claims....................... 30,000 Improvements in same................ 15,560 PERSONAL. Money............................... 146,095 Solvent credits..................... 164,208 Other............................... 2,189,209 ---------- Total all property..................$17,685,375 This of course is the Assessor's valuation, which is based on the valuation of property as sold under the hammer--about one-half its actual worth. HUMBOLDT COUNTY FINANCIALLY. From the records of the County Auditor we find that the bonded indebtedness of the county is just $100,000. The county property is valued at $240,000, and it is itemized as follows: Old Court House property, $10,000; County Hospital property, $7,500; block on which new Court House stands, $40,000; new Court House, $170,000; furniture in same, $12,500. PRODUCTS OF THE COUNTY. Lumber in Humboldt is king. It leaves all other products far in the rear, and we have, therefore, devoted a special article to that industry. The wool business is carried on in mammoth proportions. We have devoted in a previous page a detailed account of the profitable industry. DAIRYING. Probably one of the most important industries of the county next to the two above mentioned is that of dairying. From 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 pounds of butter is annually produced, and the number of milch cows in the county may be estimated at about 12,500. Green feed abounds the year round. It is very nutritious, and the perennial streams supply an abundance of water. This is indeed the dairyman's paradise, for it combines all the advantages which especially adapt it to this purpose. Combined with the green food and water is an equable climate, which dispenses with the necessity of making large outlays for barns, etc., [ad] Gibbard & Lever Manufacturers of Furniture and Every Kind of Ornamental House Finish Factory, 2d & C Sts. Eureka, Cal. [ad] ---end---