Klamath County, California
Encyclopedia
Klamath County was a county of California
from 1851 to 1874. During its existence, the county seat
moved twice and several counties were carved from its territory. It was formed from the northwestern portion of Trinity County
, and originally included all of the northwestern part of the state, from the Mad River
in the south to Oregon
in the north, from the Pacific Ocean
in the west to the middle of what is now Siskiyou County
in the east.
, on the county's southwestern coast. In 1854 the county seat was moved to Crescent City
, because of its larger population. But the western portion of the county was unrepresentative of the mining
interests in the eastern portion of the county, and so, in 1856, the county seat was moved inland, to Orleans Bar, now Orleans. In 1857, Del Norte County
, including Crescent City
, was split off from Klamath County.
The area was contested with native American tribes in the 1855 Klamath and Salmon River Indian War and the 1858-1864 Bald Hills War
. One town with a large population at the time, about 1000 people, Lake City was completely destroyed during a raid, approx 1857, and is now known as Burnt Ranch
.
The county's economy was never healthy after the gold rush. In 1874 it was finally abolished, divided between Siskiyou
and Humboldt
counties. The official reason for dissolving of Klamath County was its electoral corruption. In one election there were many more votes tallied than voters.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
from 1851 to 1874. During its existence, the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
moved twice and several counties were carved from its territory. It was formed from the northwestern portion of Trinity County
Trinity County, California
Trinity County is a large, rugged and mountainous, heavily forested county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of California, along the Trinity River and within the Salmon/Klamath Mountains. It covers an area of over two million acres , and as of the 2010 census its population...
, and originally included all of the northwestern part of the state, from the Mad River
Mad River (California)
The Mad River is a river in upper Northern California. It flows for in a roughly northwest direction through Trinity County and then Humboldt County, draining a watershed into the Pacific Ocean north of the college town of Arcata near Arcata-Eureka Airport in McKinleyville...
in the south to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in the north, from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
in the west to the middle of what is now Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County, California
Siskiyou County is a county located in the far northernmost part of the U.S. state of California, in the Shasta Cascade region on the Oregon border. Yreka is the county seat. Because of its substantial natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Gold Rush era history, it is an important...
in the east.
History
The original county seat was TrinidadTrinidad, California
Trinidad is a seaside city in Humboldt County, located on the Pacific Ocean north of the Arcata-Eureka Airport and north of the college town of Arcata...
, on the county's southwestern coast. In 1854 the county seat was moved to Crescent City
Crescent City, California
Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census...
, because of its larger population. But the western portion of the county was unrepresentative of the mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
interests in the eastern portion of the county, and so, in 1856, the county seat was moved inland, to Orleans Bar, now Orleans. In 1857, Del Norte County
Del Norte County, California
Del Norte County is a county located at the far northwest corner of the U.S. state of California on the Pacific adjacent to the Oregon border. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 28,610. The county seat is Crescent City, the county's only incorporated city. Del Norte is the abbreviated...
, including Crescent City
Crescent City, California
Crescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census...
, was split off from Klamath County.
The area was contested with native American tribes in the 1855 Klamath and Salmon River Indian War and the 1858-1864 Bald Hills War
Bald Hills War
Bald Hills War was a war fought by the forces of the California Militia, California Volunteers and soldiers of the U. S. Army against the Chilula, Lassik, Hupa, Mattole, Nongatl, Sinkyone, Tsnungwe, Wailaki, Whilkut and Wiyot Native American peoples.The war was fought within the boundaries of the...
. One town with a large population at the time, about 1000 people, Lake City was completely destroyed during a raid, approx 1857, and is now known as Burnt Ranch
Burnt Ranch, California
Burnt Ranch is a census-designated place in Trinity County, California. It has a school and a post office. The ZIP Code is 95527. The community is inside area code 530. Burnt Ranch sits at an elevation of...
.
The county's economy was never healthy after the gold rush. In 1874 it was finally abolished, divided between Siskiyou
Siskiyou County, California
Siskiyou County is a county located in the far northernmost part of the U.S. state of California, in the Shasta Cascade region on the Oregon border. Yreka is the county seat. Because of its substantial natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Gold Rush era history, it is an important...
and Humboldt
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
counties. The official reason for dissolving of Klamath County was its electoral corruption. In one election there were many more votes tallied than voters.
Towns and other settlements of Klamath County
- Bestville
- Burnt RanchBurnt Ranch, CaliforniaBurnt Ranch is a census-designated place in Trinity County, California. It has a school and a post office. The ZIP Code is 95527. The community is inside area code 530. Burnt Ranch sits at an elevation of...
- CecilvilleCecilville, CaliforniaCecilville is a small unincorporated community in Siskiyou County, California, United States. It is on the south fork of the Salmon River and was established when the area was settled by miners during the Gold Rush.-External links:*...
- Crescent CityCrescent City, CaliforniaCrescent City is the county seat and only incorporated city in Del Norte County, California. Named for the crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach south of the city, Crescent City had a total population of 7,643 in the 2010 census, up from 4,006 in the 2000 census...
to Del Norte County in 1857 - Forks of SalmonForks of Salmon, CaliforniaForks of Salmon is an unincorporated community of Siskiyou County in northern California, USA. The town is situated at the confluence of the north and south forks of the Salmon River, hence its name. The ZIP Code is 96031...
- Gullion Bar
- Martins FerryMartins Ferry, CaliforniaMartins Ferry is a former settlement in Humboldt County, California. It lay on the Klamath River, at an elevation of 315 feet . It still appeared on maps as of 1983....
- Negro Flat
- Orleans Bar
- Red Cap
- Sawyers Bar
- Sommes BarSomes Bar, CaliforniaSomes Bar or Sommes Bar, is an unincorporated community in Siskiyou County, California, United States. Somes Bar is located on the Salmon River northwest of Forks of Salmon. Somes Bar has a post office with ZIP code 95568, which opened in 1875. Somes Bar is named after George Somes, who found...
- TrinidadTrinidad, CaliforniaTrinidad is a seaside city in Humboldt County, located on the Pacific Ocean north of the Arcata-Eureka Airport and north of the college town of Arcata...
- WeitchpecWeitchpec, CaliforniaWeitchpec is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California, United States. It is located northeast of Eureka, at an elevation of 361 feet...
- Young's Ferry
External links
- Klamath County, CA, hosed by rootsweb.ancestry.com, includes a map and documents from the defunct county.
- California County Formation Maps; n2genealogy.com Shows the changing boundaries of the Counties from 1850 to 1925.
- California State Association of Counties, Map of California Counties: circa 1850
- California State Association of Counties, Map of California Counties: circa 1860
- California State Association of Counties, Map of California Counties: circa 1870
- California State Association of Counties, Map of California Counties: circa 1880