*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 101--- [ad] Photograph and Autograph Albums at J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 101 CITY GOVERNMENT. Eureka is working under a special charter, and the executive and legislative departments are vested in a Mayor and five Councilmen. Although the charter was adopted some years ago, it grants ample powers for the well being and good government of the city for years to come. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The rate of insurance is low in Eureka, because of the excellence of its fire department. The equipment consists of two steam fire engines, and one hand engine, hook and ladders and hose trucks. It is partly paid and partly volunteer, there being over 250 names enrolled in the department. It is due to this branch of the government to say that no serious fires have taken place in Eureka, as the "fire laddies" are always prompt and ready at the call of duty. Cephas Acheson is chief. LIGHTS. The city is lighed by electricity. Twenty-five 3,000-candle power are lights are placed at intervals on masts, which provide a sufficiency of illumination for all parts of the city. The streets are also lighted by gas, which, when combined with the electric lamps, make Eureka one of the very best lighted cities on the coast. CHURCHES. Eureka has a surprisingly large number of churches for a city of its population. Every Christian denomination is represented and all have large and flourishing congregations. The church edifices are in most cases very neat and tasty structures. SCHOOLS. The people of Eureka display the general characteristic of the American communities in having the best educational facilities. The salaries paid are sufficiently large to secure the services of able instructors. A new high school building has just been completed at a cost of $35,000 to supply the needed room for increasing scholarship. There are several private schools, among which we may mention the Eureka Academy, Catholic Convent and Parochial school, Episcopal school and others. SEWERAGE. The city being located on a gently rising slope the problem of sewerage has been one easily solved. A satisfactory system has been adopted by the city government and the work of sewering is carried on at a very light expense to the citizens and property owners. STREET RAILWAYS. EUREKA has two STREET CAR LINES in full operation and a third in course of construction. This meritorious enterprise is meeting with a very liberal patronage. It is one of many enterprises indicating progress, growth and general [ad] Gibbard & Lever CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF Undertaker’s Supplies Third and H Sts, Pioneer Bd , Eureka [ad] ---end---