Table Bluff, California
Encyclopedia
Table Bluff is a semi-flat terrace in Humboldt County, California
, that terminates above the ocean in a dramatic, 165 feet (50.3 m) high cliff with spectacular views of the Eel River
delta, the South Spit of Humboldt Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It separates Humboldt Bay to the north from the Eel River
to the south. It overlooks some 9,000 acres (36 km²) of wildlands administered by various federal and county agencies. It is 12 miles (19 km) south of Eureka
and 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west of US Highway 101. Table Bluff County Park provides access to the South Spit. The park is also used as a hang-gliding staging area. The federally endangered western lily, Lilium occidentale
, is found growing on Table Bluff at Table Bluff Ecological Reserve.
was an early resident. Because of its rich soil, Table Bluff has been the site of a small agricultural community since the 1850s. At present, hay fields and cattle ranches occupy most of the bluff.
A reservation of the native Wiyot tribe is also located here. Table Bluff Rancheria was established in 1908. It originally comprised 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) donated by a local church. An additional 102 acre (0.41277972 km²) were purchased for the tribe by the federal government in 1981 as the result of a lawsuit settlement.
In 1892, a lighthouse was built on the bluff to replace an older one on the North Spit. A fog horn and a Navy wireless telegraphy (later radio) station were in place by 1915 at what eventually became a Coast Guard
facility at the point of the bluff. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1972 after automated beacons were installed at the Humboldt Bay entrance. Its tower was moved to Woodley Island, across from the Eureka waterfront, in 1987, where it is now on display.
In 1970, the Coast Guard cited Seaman Robert Mark for "extraordinary heroism" while serving as crew of CG-44234, for rescuing the operator of the fishing vessel Alice, which sank just west of Table Bluff.
8 acres (32,374.9 m²) of the surplus Coast Guard property were purchased by Norman Kenneth Smith, an evangelical minister, in 1970, and renamed Lighthouse Ranch. The Ranch became a half-way house for young adults seeking spiritual direction. This ministry later became Gospel Outreach of Eureka. The lighthouse is no longer manned.
The California Coastal Conservancy
began the process of acquiring 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) of this property in 2005.
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, that terminates above the ocean in a dramatic, 165 feet (50.3 m) high cliff with spectacular views of the Eel River
Eel River (California)
The Eel River is a major river system of the northern Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. Approximately 200 miles long, it drains a rugged area in the California Coast Ranges between the Sacramento Valley and the ocean. For most of its course, the river flows northwest, parallel to the...
delta, the South Spit of Humboldt Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. It separates Humboldt Bay to the north from the Eel River
Eel River (California)
The Eel River is a major river system of the northern Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. Approximately 200 miles long, it drains a rugged area in the California Coast Ranges between the Sacramento Valley and the ocean. For most of its course, the river flows northwest, parallel to the...
to the south. It overlooks some 9,000 acres (36 km²) of wildlands administered by various federal and county agencies. It is 12 miles (19 km) south of Eureka
Eureka, California
Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....
and 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west of US Highway 101. Table Bluff County Park provides access to the South Spit. The park is also used as a hang-gliding staging area. The federally endangered western lily, Lilium occidentale
Lilium occidentale
Lilium occidentale is a rare species of lily known by the common name western lily. It is native to northern California and southern Oregon, where it is known from 28 locations all within six miles of the coast. It grows in coastal prairie habitat, swamps and stagnant bogs with Drosera species,...
, is found growing on Table Bluff at Table Bluff Ecological Reserve.
History
Early explorers of the bay called the landform Ridge Point and Brannan Bluff, but by 1851 Table Bluff had stuck. Seth KinmanSeth Kinman
Seth Kinman was an early settler of Humboldt County, California, a hunter based in Fort Humboldt, a famous chair maker, and a nationally recognized entertainer. He stood over tall and was known for his hunting prowess and his brutality toward bears and Indians...
was an early resident. Because of its rich soil, Table Bluff has been the site of a small agricultural community since the 1850s. At present, hay fields and cattle ranches occupy most of the bluff.
A reservation of the native Wiyot tribe is also located here. Table Bluff Rancheria was established in 1908. It originally comprised 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) donated by a local church. An additional 102 acre (0.41277972 km²) were purchased for the tribe by the federal government in 1981 as the result of a lawsuit settlement.
In 1892, a lighthouse was built on the bluff to replace an older one on the North Spit. A fog horn and a Navy wireless telegraphy (later radio) station were in place by 1915 at what eventually became a Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
facility at the point of the bluff. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1972 after automated beacons were installed at the Humboldt Bay entrance. Its tower was moved to Woodley Island, across from the Eureka waterfront, in 1987, where it is now on display.
In 1970, the Coast Guard cited Seaman Robert Mark for "extraordinary heroism" while serving as crew of CG-44234, for rescuing the operator of the fishing vessel Alice, which sank just west of Table Bluff.
8 acres (32,374.9 m²) of the surplus Coast Guard property were purchased by Norman Kenneth Smith, an evangelical minister, in 1970, and renamed Lighthouse Ranch. The Ranch became a half-way house for young adults seeking spiritual direction. This ministry later became Gospel Outreach of Eureka. The lighthouse is no longer manned.
The California Coastal Conservancy
California Coastal Conservancy
The California Coastal Conservancy is a state agency in California established in 1976 to enhance coastal resources and access.-Goals:The agency's official goals are to:*Protect and improve coastal wetlands, streams and watersheds...
began the process of acquiring 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) of this property in 2005.