Humboldt County Historical Society Library Lectures

First Saturday of Every Month
Bridgeville location, from OpenStreetMap.org

Saturday October 2, 2021 - Bridgeville, Then & Now

Memories of a Pioneer Town

with Longtime Resident Jessie Wheeler

Jessie Wheeler will explore the history of Bridgeville through the lives of her family members, who were important residents, dating back to the early 1900s. Wheeler, who was born during WWII and raised in Bridgeville, will talk about daily life in this small but geographically significant town in Humboldt County.

Located on Highway 36, halfway between Fortuna and Ruth Lake, where Kneeland Road and Alderpoint Road nearly meet, you can find the tiny hamlet of Bridgeville. The place was first known as a Van Duzen River ford, and called Robinson's Crossing. When a bridge was built in 1875, it was proudly renamed after its major new feature. This tiny Humboldt town has a fascinating story, from its first heyday as a stagecoach stop on the overland route to San Francisco, to its odd rise to fame as the first town ever to be sold on eBay. That was far from the first time the entire town was sold, however - Bridgeville has a long history of being bought and sold, one that probably isn't over yet. Jessie Wheeler's grandfather was the purchaser in 1912, and today you can hear the story of the town from someone who has been part of the place and fascinated by it all her life.

 November 6 - 'A Life in History' with Ray Raphael

 December 4 - Humboldt County Lighthouses, with Julie Clarke
 

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If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, there are a few useful videos created by the HSU Library to help you out:

• Getting Started with Zoom
• Joining a Zoom Meeting