Upper Lake in Lake County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Upper Lake

Recapturing Its Vibrant History

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2019

1. Upper Lake Marker

Captions: (bottom left) In 1924, a raging fire devastated most of the town, sparing some of the original structures. A new generation of innkeepers and shop owners have lovingly restored may buildings to their original charm ad stature.; (upper center) "Blue Lake" beans prized by vegetable gardeners, originated in Upper Lake, where its been cannery was one of Lake County's original industries.: (upper right) Pomo Baskets There has been a considerable market for Pomo Indian baskets since the late 1800s. These baskets are recognized throughout the world for their beauty, quality of construction, elaborate designs and creative use of feathers and beads. Many outstanding Pomo basket weavers have come from Upper Lake.; (bottom right) The rusted remains of the Heisler steam locomotive used a Prather Mill.

Inscription. Since its humble beginnings, Upper Lake's strategic position drew an enterprising and hard working population. The town bustled with activity as the terminus for the Clear Lake and Cloverdale stage lines. Visitors to local resorts and hot springs might disembark to a head-splitting cacophony of saw mills, bleeting sheep, and tins shuffling on conveyor belts at the bean cannery.
Dense pine and fir forest to the north were the first of be exploited, and numerous lumber mills cropped up. Though a railway line was never built to connect Lake County with its neighbors, W.W. "Bull Pine" Prather constructed railroad tracks to transport timber to his mill where lumber box shook (parts for box-making) and moulding were produced in the 1920s on the north side of Elk Mountain. Today, quaint Main Street welcomes visitors as the southern gateway to the Mendocino National Forest.

Erected by Lake County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 9.881′ N, 122° 54.645′ W. Marker is in Upper Lake, California, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and 1st Street South, on the right when traveling north on Main Street

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9501 Main Street, Upper Lake CA 95485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Livery Stable (here, next to this marker); The Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); League's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Upper Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tallman Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The IOOF Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Diamond Match Lumber Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); The West Side of Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Lake.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2019

2. Upper Lake Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on September 23, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.