1959 Map of Fortuna

About this map

The Eel River valley dominates this Humboldt County landscape, showing the mid-century agricultural and industrial character of the Eel River Delta area. The Northwestern Pacific railroad runs parallel to the river, connecting key hubs like Fortuna, Alton, and the northern crossing at Fernbridge. A distinctive network of rural schools, including the Grant Union Sch, Grizzly Bluff Sch, and Coffee Creek Sch, reveals the density of the outlying farming communities during the 1950s. The 1972 revisions illustrate urban expansion around Fortuna, particularly the development near the Union High School and Redwood Memorial Hospital. Cultural landmarks such as the St Pius X Seminary and a Drive-in Theater near Rohnerville provide snapshots of local community life. The map also detail topographic features like Buzzards Peak and the expansive gravel reaches of Singley Bar.