*** Source: History and Business Directory of Humboldt County, Lillie E. Hamm, November 1890, Eureka, Cal. *** ---page 117--- [ad] Photograph and Autograph Albums at J. E. Mathews [ad] HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY 117 the first to settle in this locality. The section of country surrounding this town is devoted to general agriculture and farming, and on every side, as far as the eye can reach, are to be seen well tilled fields and prosperous farms. The soil is very fertile and produces wonderful crops of cereals, vegetables and fruit. The Eureka and Eel River Railroad has its present terminus about a third of a mile from the town. From Hydesville the stages leave daily for Ukiah. It is also an important wool shipping point. There are several flourishing mercantile houses here, and the indications are that Hydesville will be one of the most important towns in this part of the State. BLOCKSBURG Is an important trading and distributing point for a considerable area of country. It is located on the main overland stage road, between Hydesville and Ukiah, and is about seventy miles from Eel river bar. Over 800,000 pounds of wool clipped in the southern portion of Trinity county, Southeastern Humboldt and, the northeastern portion of Humboldt, passes through this town on the way to market. This section of Humboldt county is well adapted to agriculture and horticulture. The soil is very fertile and productive, and the land is well watered by small streams and perennial springs. A large portion of the land now devoted only to grazing, will undoubtedly be brought under cultivation in the very near future, which will greatly add to the importance of Blocksburg. The population is about two hundred. GARBERVILLE Is a flourishing settlement in Southeastern Humboldt county, and is about eighty miles from the ocean at the Eel river entrance. It is situated on a bench or elevation at an altitude of about 900 feet above the sea level. There are many fine sheep ranches in this section of the county and the soil is very productive, vegetables, grain and fruits growing to perfection. Coal has been discovered in this vicinity and a fine quarry of sandstone exists a little north of the town. At Red Mountain near Garberville, a mineral paint has been found which is almost inexhaustible in quantity and of a very fine quality. Oak, fir, redwood, yew and madrone are the varieties of timber found in this section. The town has a population of 250, and was first located by J. C. Garber. Garberville has direct mail communication (semi-weekly) between Eureka via Scotia, arriving Mondays and Fridays and leaving Tuesdays and Saturdays, making connection with the Pacific Lumber Co.'s Railroad at Scotia. PETROLIA Is a village located in the Mattole valley near its mouth. Petroleum has been discovered near this place, from which it derived its name. The soil is very rich and productive. Dairying, farming and stockraising are the chief industries in [ad] Gibbard &Lever CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF Undertaker's Supplies Third and H Sts, Pioneer Bdg, Eureka [ad] ---end---