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Crescent City

Crescent City History

   Crescent City is the closest town to Redwood National Park, home to the great trees that define Northern California. Logging played an important role in the history of Crescent City, which was founded in the 1850s. In 1853, the first lumber mill was established in Crescent City. That same year, gold was discovered in nearby Myrtle Creek. Together, timber and mining became the top industries in Del Norte County.
   Visitors from San Francisco came by ship to Crescent City, which was named for the curved beach that defines its harbor. Stores and warehouses were built along the bay to support the burgeoning community, and the town soon became the seat of Del Norte County.
   Although Crescent City is blessed with a beautiful location, the town has had its share of calamity. In 1865, the steamship Brother Jonathan crashed onto St. George Reef, killing more than 200 passengers. Many of those victims are buried in the local Brother Jonathan Cemetery. And in 1964, the Alaskan earthquake spurred a tsunami that destroyed the downtown business district. Eleven people were killed by the waves, which hit at speeds up to 500 miles per hour.

Activities

   Crescent City offers plenty of outdoor activities due to its location near the ocean, rivers and national recreation areas.
   The Smith River National Recreation Area is known for its excellent trout, steelhead and salmon fishing. Raft or swim in the river's currents, or hike along the scenic wildflower trails and view the region's flora and fauna.
   There are several parks that offer up-close views of Del Norte County's famed redwoods. Stroll through some of the world's tallest trees at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park. The park has five visitors centers to help you plan your journey. You can take a day hike or just a leisurely walk through the redwoods at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which has more than 70 miles of hiking trails and scenic beaches. And Del Norte Redwoods State Park is a mixed-growth forest of redwood, fir and red alder. The park's Mill Creek is home to salmon and steelhead, and its woods offer shelter to bobcats, coyotes, deer, bears and elk.
   Del Norte Redwoods State Park is also home to Wilson Beach, aka False Klamath Cove. This beach is not swimmer-friendly, but it does offer excellent tidepool viewing at low tide. Crescent Beach, Kellogg Beach and Pelican State Beach are more amenable to swimmers and boaters. Their sandy shores are also perfect for walking and beachcombing.
   Crescent City is home to two historic lighthouses. Battery Point Lighthouse, built in 1856, is the fifth oldest lighthouse on the West Coast.  The building, which is open to the public, is managed by the Del Norte Historical Society. The St. George Reef Lighthouse is located on an island six miles off the coast. The lens from this lighthouse, which began service in 1892, is on display at the Main Museum in downtown Crescent City.
    Ocean World features a half-million gallon tank with a sandy bottom and reef. You can see a variety of contained wildlife, including river otters, sharks and sea lions. Or head to Crescent City Harbor to view oceanlife in its native habitat.

Crescent City Fast Facts

   Location: Crescent City is located on Highway 101 on the Northern California coast, 18 miles south of the Oregon border.
  *Total area: 2.06 square miles (1.78 square miles land area; 0.28 square miles water area)
  *Population: 4,006
  *Housing units: 1,754
   Average annual rainfall: 66.82 inches
   Average temperatures: 58^(o)F in summer, 46^(o)F in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are 12 public schools in Crescent City, including six elementary schools.

Maps of Crescent City

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