Ferndale in Humboldt County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Ferndale

Photographed by Karen Key, May 28, 2007

1. Ferndale Marker

Inscription. This pioneer agricultural community, settled in 1852, helped feed the booming population of mid-century San Francisco. Long known as “Cream City,” Ferndale made innovative and lasting contributions to the dairy industry. Local creameries, and the town’s role as a transportation and shipping center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fostered prosperity which produced Ferndale’s outstanding Victorian-Gothic residential and false-front commercial architecture.

Erected 1976 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce Historical Committee. (Marker Number 883.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 12, 1925.

Location. 40° 34.851′ N, 124° 15.593′ W. Marker is in Ferndale, California, in Humboldt County. It is at the intersection of Highway 211 and Herbert Street, on the left when traveling south on Highway 211. Plaque is located in Ferndale City Hall Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ferndale CA 95536, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s North Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and in the Klamath Mountains.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast

and in the Pacific Northwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Shaw House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The House That Troy Built (approx. 0.2 miles away); Along the Banks of Salt River (approx. ¼ mile away); Ferndale Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); The Gazebo (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ferndale.

Also see . . . The Victorian Village of Ferndale, California. (Submitted on July 5, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California.)

Photographed by Karen Key, May 28, 2007

2. Ferndale Marker

Ferndale Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

3. Ferndale Marker - Wide View

Photographed by Karen Key, May 28, 2007

4. Ferndale

Some of Ferndale's architecture.

The First California Central Creamery, Built 1904 (1400 Main Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

5. The First California Central Creamery, Built 1904 (1400 Main Street)

The first motorized milk tank truck in America was in use here in 1914.

The Gingerbread Mansion B&B, Built 1895 (400 Berding Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

6. The Gingerbread Mansion B&B, Built 1895 (400 Berding Street)

Church of the Assumption (546 Berding Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

7. Church of the Assumption (546 Berding Street)

Danish Hall, Built Late 1800's (460 Ocean Avenue) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

8. Danish Hall, Built Late 1800's (460 Ocean Avenue)

The Victorian Inn/Russ Building, Built 1891 (400 Ocean Avenue) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

9. The Victorian Inn/Russ Building, Built 1891 (400 Ocean Avenue)

Ferndale Masonic Hall, Built 1891 (212 Francis Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

10. Ferndale Masonic Hall, Built 1891 (212 Francis Street)

The Palace Saloon, Built 1890 (353 Main Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

11. The Palace Saloon, Built 1890 (353 Main Street)

The historical marker on the building indicates that this is the westernmost bar in the continental United States. It is not.

Ferndale Meat Market, Built 1881 Main Street (376 Main Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

12. Ferndale Meat Market, Built 1881 Main Street (376 Main Street)

The location has been a meat market since 1881.

The Gazebo, Built 1898 (475 Main Street) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

13. The Gazebo, Built 1898 (475 Main Street)

The Ivanhoe Hotel, Built 1870 (315 Main Street) and Portugese Hall, Built 1879 image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

14. The Ivanhoe Hotel, Built 1870 (315 Main Street) and Portugese Hall, Built 1879

The Ivanhoe is the oldest surviving building in the Ferndale Historic District, and was featured in the Jim Carrey movie, The Majestic. The building's historical marker indicates that the hotel is "...the oldest, most westerly hotel in the continental United States." It is neither.

300 Block of Main Street (Looking North) image. Click for full size.

April 28, 2013

15. 300 Block of Main Street (Looking North)

Ferndale Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, February 8, 2014

16. Ferndale Town Hall

The Town Hall sits at one end of the park that the marker is in.

Ferndale Town Hall Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, February 8, 2014

17. Ferndale Town Hall Plaque

This building presented to the City of Ferndale by the Village Club, Organized 1906, Dedicated to the service of the people of California by the Native Sons of the Golden West, May 27, 1967.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,604 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 3. submitted on May 8, 2013. 4. submitted on July 5, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on May 8, 2013. 14, 15. submitted on May 9, 2013. 16, 17. submitted on February 22, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.