Honeydew, California
40°14′40″N 124°07′22″W / 40.24444°N 124.12278°W
Honeydew | |
|---|---|
| Land | Vereinigte Staaten |
| State | California |
| County | Humboldt County |
| Elevation | 322 ft (98 m) |
Honeydew (formerly, Honey Dew)[2] is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California.[1] It is located 17 miles (27 km) south of Scotia,[2] at an elevation of 322 feet (98 m).[1]
Honeydew is home to less than 1,000 residents. Honeydew is located 15 miles (24 km) from the Pacific Ocean in an area that is known as "The Lost Coast". The Lost Coast is a section of the California North Coast in Humboldt County, which includes the King Range. The steepness and related geotechnical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of coastline too costly for state highway or county road builders to establish routes through the area, leaving it the most undeveloped portion of the California coast. California State Route 1, which runs very close along the coast for most of the route's length, stops at Leggett and merges with U.S. Route 101, which runs several miles inland.
Much of the land in the area known as the Lost Coast is owned by the federal government, and in 1970, more than 60,000 acres (24,000 ha) were designated the King Range National Conservation Area.
Because of the rugged and remote location, the small towns of Shelter Cove, Whitethorn and Petrolia are popular with those looking for quiet respite. The area is known for its black sand beaches, which get their color from the significant tectonic activity of one continental and two ocean plates meeting just offshore.
The town is located in Southern Humboldt County, and is composed of little more than a general store, elementary school, post office, with a few houses located nearby. Many of the locals live in the hills surrounding the Mattole valley, that is named after the Mattole River, that runs through the valley. The ZIP Code is 95545. The community is inside area code 707.
The first post office at Honeydew opened in 1926.[2]
Transport
There are three roads leading to Honeydew: one comes from neighboring Southern Humboldt town of Garberville, which follows Wilder Ridge Road, another off U.S. Route 101 (State Highway) that runs through the Redwood forest, and another from Ferndale in the north. The Ferndale route, over what is locally known as "the Wildcat" (in reference to bobcats that reside in the area) offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the neighboring town of Petrolia. All three routes traverse over twisting mountain roads, which can be treacherous in bad weather, especially during coastal fog conditions. The valley itself is at a confluence of climates. Just a few miles away to the west weather is often foggy and cool, while the interior valleys can reach summer temperatures of 100°F (38°C) and 100 inches (2,500 mm) of rain per year. It is wise for travelers in the area to prepare for quickly changing weather in all seasons, as there is very limited cell phone coverage, being primarily nearest the Honeydew General Store and the river valley flats nearby, should emergency help be required. Electricity and access to the area can be interrupted in inclement weather. People visiting the area are strongly encouraged to check local road reports should conditions change. Fuel is generally-but not always-available at the General Store, and at Petrolia, 15 miles to the west.
Culture
Because of its isolated location, Honeydew retains a small town atmosphere. There are no motels in the town, but there are several campgrounds nearby. The community and nearby Petrolia and Cape Town were originally stagecoach and mail stops in the 1800s. The local firefighters, Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company, organize the "Roll on the Mattole" every summer to raise operating funds for the fire company. The region has a long history of sheep and cattle ranching.
There are three schools in the area — Honeydew Elementary School, Mattole Valley Triple Junction High School and Honeydew Charter School #159.[3]
The Mattole Grange is the main gathering place for community events.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Honeydew, California
- ^ a b c Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 78. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
- ^ http://realestate.yahoo.com/California/Honeydew/Schools/result.html
- ^ http://mattolegrange.com/default.aspx Mattole Grange #569
