Honeydew, California
Encyclopedia
Honeydew is an unincorporated community
in Humboldt County
, California
. It is located 17 miles (27 km) south of Scotia
, at an elevation of 322 feet (98 m).
Honeydew is home to less than 1,000 residents. Honeydew is located 15 miles (24.1 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 60000 acres (24,281.2 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.
, 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 (2,540 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.
There are three schools in the area — Honeydew Elementary School, Mattole Valley Triple Junction High School and Honeydew Charter School #159.
The Mattole Grange is the main gathering place for community events.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Humboldt County
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...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is located 17 miles (27 km) south of Scotia
Scotia, California
Scotia is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located south-southeast of Fortuna, at an elevation of 194 feet . The ZIP Code is 95565. The population was 850 at the 2010 census....
, at an elevation of 322 feet (98 m).
Honeydew is home to less than 1,000 residents. Honeydew is located 15 miles (24.1 km) from the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
in an area that is known as "The Lost Coast
Lost Coast
The Lost Coast is a mostly undeveloped section of the California North Coast in Mendocino and Humboldt Counties, which includes the King Range. It was named the "Lost Coast" after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s...
". 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
California State Route 1
State Route 1 , more often called Highway 1, is a state highway that runs along much of the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. It is famous for running along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, leading to its designation as an All-American Road.Highway 1 does not run...
, 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 60000 acres (24,281.2 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
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
, elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
, 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
Mattole River
The Mattole River is a river on the north coast of California, that flows northerly, then westerly into the Pacific Ocean. A short section of the river flows through upper Mendocino County, but the vast majority of its 62-mile run is through southern Humboldt County...
, that runs through the valley. The ZIP Code is 95545. The community is inside area code 707
Area code 707
North American area code 707 is a Californian telephone area code which covers Napa, Sebastopol, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Fort Bragg, Crescent City, Eureka, Clearlake, Vacaville, Ukiah, and northwestern California. It was split from area code 415 on March 1, 1959...
.
The first post office at Honeydew opened in 1926.
Transportation
There are three roads leading to Honeydew: one comes from neighboring Southern Humboldt town of GarbervilleGarberville, California
Garberville is a census-designated place in Humboldt County, California. It is located on the South Fork of the Eel River south-southeast of Eureka, at an elevation of 535 feet . The population was 913 at the 2010 United States Census...
, which follows Wilder Ridge Road, another off U.S. Route 101 (State Highway) that runs through the Redwood forest
Redwood National and State Parks
The Redwood National and State Parks are located in the United States, along the coast of northern California. Comprising Redwood National Park and California's Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks , the combined RNSP contain...
, and another from Ferndale
Ferndale, California
Ferndale is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Known for its well-preserved Victorian buildings, the city's population was 1,371 at the 2010 census, down from 1,382 at the 2000 census...
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
Petrolia, California
Petrolia is an unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California. It is located southeast of Cape Mendocino, at an elevation of 121 feet . The ZIP Code is 95558....
. All three routes traverse over twisting mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
roads, which can be treacherous in bad weather, especially during coastal fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
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 (2,540 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.
The Mattole Grange is the main gathering place for community events.
External links
- http://www.switchboard.com/usps.1355/dir/map.htm?&where=95545&ypcobrand=1355&sd=100&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&navigatorchoices=&recordid=Business|19442530&sortOrder=&Z=95545&xValue=0&sortBy=Distance&yValue=-50&cntLongitude=-124.16680955967703&mapOperation=Pan&listingPagination=0&CID=1222&zoom=4&cntLatitude=40.284174921567704&navigatorChoices=Honeydew Post Office (95545) location]
- www.mattolehistory.org — Mattole Valley Historical Society