The Unique Town In Northern California That's Anything But Ordinary

This ornate Queen Anne Victorian at 2nd and M Streets in Eureka. Known as "The Pink Lady," it was built as a wedding gift for J. Milton Carson by his father William Carson. After Milton Carson sold the house, it ended up in the ownership of two sisters in Germany. The house was seized by the U.S. Government as Nazi property in 1942 and sold at public auction in 1951 to television actor Lloyd Bridges's father. The next owner restored the property and it is now a highlight of the Old Town Eureka Historic District.

This plaque reads, "Eureka was founded as a town in 1850 and incorporated as a city in 1874. Located on the remote northwester coast of California, Eureka was the region's major port of entry by water in the 19th Century before the construction of good access by land, and rose to historical prominence as the major social political and economic center of the region. "Eureka" is a Greek expression and a popular mining term meaning "I have Found it." California Registered Historical Landmark No. 477 Plaque Placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in Cooperation with the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, Eureka No 101. September 15, 1979."

It's located on Humboldt Bay and is adjacent to the verdant redwood forests that this region is known for.

Humboldt Bay was settled with the intent of providing a convenient alternative to the long overland route from Sacramento to supply miners on the Trinity, Klamath and Salmon Rivers where gold had been discovered.

By 1854, when the city was only four years old, seven of nine mills processing timber into lumber on Humboldt Bay were within Eureka. It became a major hub and over 140 lumber schooners operated in and out of Humboldt Bay and provided the booming Bay Area with lumber. It came to be known as California's "timber capital."

The world famous Carson Mansion on 2nd and M Streets, just across from the Pink Lady, is considered one of the most spectacular Victorian homes in the nation. It was built between 1884–1886 by renowned 19th Century architects Newsom and Newsom for lumber baron William M. Carson. This project was designed to keep mill workers and expert craftsman busy during a slow period in the industry.

It's located only 40 minutes from the Redwood State and National Parks.

Despite being the location of many earthquakes over the years, residents find this temperate climate a charming place to live.

Despite declining after WWII, the timber industry and commercial fishing are two sectors that remain very important to how the city defines itself.

Known as an artist's community, Eureka offers plenty of opportunity to shop for locally made creations, including glass ware, pottery, wood burning stoves and a large variety of art.