*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 099--- [ad] Books and Stationery 10,000 Songs and Song Books Curiosities of All Kinds J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 99 become a competitor for its share of the foreign commerce of the Pacific Coast, and vessels which now come with empty holds or go to San Francisco and there to load, which would save the expense of double harbor rates and pilotage if they could receive and discharge cargo at the wharves in Eureka. This point alone is sufficient to bring it into great prominence as a shipping and commercial port. As to Eureka being a RAILROAD CENTER, this consummation will be undoubtedly looked for in the very near future. The North Pacific Railroad which skirts the shore from Saucilito to Duncan's Mill, a distance of 80 miles, has this city for its ultimate terminus, and will form a link in the chain of a through road to Oregon, there to connect with the N. P. R. R. Co. The San Francisco and Northern Pacific Railway Co., which runs through Sonoma county from Point Tiburon on the Bay of San Francisco, has completed its line to Ukiah the present terminus of the road, in Mendocino county, and from there it must seek the shores of the Pacific at Eureka. The Santa Rosa and Carquinez Railroad, the property of the Southern Pacific Company, has undoubtedly this city for its objective point. Another line has been in contemplation for some time back, to run from the Sacramento Valley to the shores of Humboldt Bay. These statements are not visionary, but based on actual facts, and it is a point in favor of Eureka to say that there is work enough to employ a half dozen railroads if they wish to build here. There is something here to carry away, and not like many localities in California where are nothing but pleasure resorts, from which the railroad companies obtain only passenger fares. The time is not far distant when Humboldt county will be literally gridironed with railroads, and those who take advantage of the present state of affairs will realize from land investments alone far more than the Southern Californian ever obtained or thought of obtaining while picturing the future in its most roseate hue. THE CITY. Eureka is beautifully located on a slope, surrounded by hills, which are covered with giant redwoods. The blocks are square and contain about an acre each. The streets are alphabetically and numerically named. There are but few cities in the State where so many neat and tasty cottages and elegant mansion are encountered, and the citizens take especial pride in possessing well arranged gardens, filled with ornamental shrubs and plants. Every sign of prosperity presents itself, and this augurs well for the future growth of the city. It is the seat of government for the county. A magnificent Court House has just been completed at a cost of $170,000. It is a handsome structure of brick, iron and stone, a credit to the citizens of the county and a monument to their enterprise and public spirit. POPULATION Of Eureka is about 8,500, and is steadily growing. In the past two years and a half fully 1,000 people have been added to it, and, as a consequence, considerable building is being done. [ad] Gibbard & Lever, Funeral Directors and Embalmers Undertaking Parlors 3d & H Sts., Pioneer Bdg., Eureka [ad] ---end---