Just heads up for those of you interested in living history…
The Pacific Lumber Company is apparently planning to sell off its company town of Scotia, California. Scotia is located about 30 miles south of Eureka, California alongside Hwy 101 and is reportedly the last true company town in the US. It includes municipal buildings, museum, many 90 year old homes and a hotel that served wonderful food the last time I was there many years ago. And of course Pacific Lumber Company’s huge mill.
A newspaper article said that the company spends about a million dollars a year on the town’s upkeep creating a pristine time capsule of America’s industrial past. Even the company’s 90 year old headquarters building is still in use.
Once sold off it’s doubtful that the town will ever be the same with its uniform neatness. The town is in marked contrast to the privately owned Rio Dell (Dell Rio???) just across the old bridge.
When I was last there they had a Climax locomotive and many other logging items on permanent display. As I say it has been some time since I was last there but it was a rewarding experience. If you are interested in seeing a real lumber town I encourage you to stop by and have a look while you can. I don’t know how long it will take to sell off the town or how imminent the changes are but change it will.