1943 Map of Ferndale

About this map

Ferndale anchors this coastal survey, serving as the cultural and agricultural hub of the lower Eel River delta. The landscape is defined by a complex network of waterways, including the Salt River, McNulty Slough, and Cannibal Island Slough, which weave through the lowlands north of town. This era of Humboldt County history is marked by a high density of rural schoolhouses, such as Eel River Sch and Island Sch, reflecting a distributed community of ranching families. Along the dramatic coastline, Centerville Beach leads south toward the prominent False Cape, while inland, family names are immortalized in landmarks like Russ Ranch and Fern Cottage. The map reveals the vital connection between land and sea, from the grazing lands on Bear River Ridge to the tidal reaches of Humboldt Bay and the South Spit.