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

The Pacific Lumber Company

Established 1869 in Humboldt County

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 5, 2012

1. The Pacific Lumber Company Marker

Inscription. Their first sawmill was built in 1887 at their current location and employed 150 men to turn the giant redwoods into shingles and other products.

Originally named Forestville, the town name was changed to Scotia in 1888. Scotia is one of the last company-owned towns. With a population of 1200, almost everyone works for the Pacific Lumber Co. Today there are two sawmills in Scotia, including Mill B, the world's largest redwood lumber manufacturing facility, built in 1910. The Pacific Lumber Company is Humboldt County's largest private employer, providing jobs for nearly 1600 people. Dedicated to preserving a heritage, producing high quality redwood and douglas fir lumber products and continuing that tradition for the future.

Dedicated by Grand Parlor
Native Sons of the Golden West
Jesse M. Garcia Grand President
February 14, 1998

Erected 1998 by Native Sons of the Golden West, Grand Parlor.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1782.

Location. 40° 28.996′ N, 124°

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6.152′ W. Marker is in Scotia, California, in Humboldt County. Marker is on Main Street, 0.1 miles south of Church Street. The marker is located on the grounds of the Scotia Museum and is easily visible from Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scotia CA 95565, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Scotia Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Wi'ne'ma Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sam Helwer (approx. 4.2 miles away); Humboldt Redwoods State Park (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Eel River Starts on Your Street (approx. 7.1 miles away); Immortal Tree (approx. 8½ miles away); Fortuna Rodeo Grounds Grandstand (approx. 8.6 miles away); Centerville Beach Cross (approx. 10½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scotia.

Also see . . . Pacific Lumber Company. Wikipedia article (retrieved 11/08/2012): The Pacific Lumber Company was started in 1863. Though it employed over 350 people in its final days in 2008, there were over 1,600 employees at the turn of the millennium. The company itself was a tourist attraction that once welcomed visitors for a tour of the (now permanently closed) largest Redwood Mill ever constructed, which included an unusual hydraulic debarker. The quaint town adjacent to the mill is still open to public
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 5, 2012

2. The Pacific Lumber Company Marker - wide view
The object behind the marker is a redwood stump.
visits. Pacific Lumber has been at the center of multiple controversies since a hostile takeover by Maxxam, Inc. (of Texas), that was completed in 1986, changing its status from stable employer to one of controversy and finally instability. The controversy is partly a result of a departure from long-standing management practices that ensured sustainability... (Submitted on November 9, 2012.)

PALCO Mill A (built 1887) - view from south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 5, 2012

3. PALCO Mill A (built 1887) - view from south

The Pacific Lumber Company Marker - wide view with steam donkey image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 5, 2012

4. The Pacific Lumber Company Marker - wide view with steam donkey

The steam donkey was a steam-driven winch capable of pulling or dragging large logs for transportation to the mill.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,219 times since then and 114 times this year. Last updated on February 25, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2012, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.