Lake County, California

Lake County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Created 1861, from territory formerly included in Napa County. This county derived its name because of the many charming lakes in the area, most prominently Clear Lake.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Clear Lake, the 43,000-acre center of Lake County, is the largest natural lake in California; it may very well be the oldest lake in North America as scientific evidence has proven the lake to be at least 150,000 years old. The area took shape from volcanic action; Clear Lake's current form was created by a landslide thousands of years age which blocked the broad valley's drainage west into the Russian River. The water rose until it found a new outlet, Cache Creek, which drains eastward into the Sacramento River.

Four thousand years before the rise of the Egyptian civilization, the Pomo Indians were hunting, fishing, and collecting plant foods on the shores of Clear Lake. The lake yielded an abundance of fish, as well as tule reeds from which they made clothing, boats, dwellings, and household items. Today, Pomo baskets are widely admired throughout the West.

In the 1850's the first European families found their way to Lake County; the first of these settlers lived near what is now Kelseyville. Farming and ranching grew rapidly and toll roads began climbing over the mountains in the 1860's, bringing settlers in increasing numbers. The Pomo were gradually forced from their traditional homes to rancherias.

Natural mineral springs became immensely popular, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe to "take the waters." Huge resort complexes were built, and enjoying wide fame were Bartlett Springs, Soda Bay Springs, Seigler Springs, Anderson and Adams Springs. Many of these grand resorts were destroyed by fire, and most were not rebuilt.

Lacking roads along the perimeter of Clear Lake, steamers plied the waters connecting visitors to resorts across the lake. Steam boats, and then gas powered boats, became a favored means of transportation and recreation.

Automobiles gradually superseded boats, and it was several decades later that boats regained popularity. Today residents and visitors enjoy canoes, sailboats, fishing boats, speedboats, pontoon boats, and even oarless boat races on the many lakes of Lake County.

Agriculture has continued its role as a mainstay. Lake County's Bartlett pears, walnuts, and wines enjoy wide recognition. Wild rice and kiwifruit are products less significant.

In the twenty-first century, Lake County begins a renaissance reminiscent of her former glory as "playground" to the Bay Area.

The following historical timeline was compiled by Dick Dunn shortly before his death. In his own words, it was an "Incomplete Chronological History of Lake County". It is presented as a community resource and will be amended as additional data is perused. (7/98)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,329 square miles (3,443 km²), of which, 1,258 square miles (3,258 km²) of it is land and 72 square miles (185 km²) of it (5.38%) is water.

Neighboring Counties:

• Northeast: Glenn County
• East: Colusa County
• Southeast: Yolo County; Napa County
• South: Sonoma County
• Northwest: Mendocino County

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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