Albion is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California, USA with a population of 1,035. A census-designated place (CDP) is an area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical reporting. ... Mendocino County is a county located on Californias north coast, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. ... State nickname: The Golden State Official languages English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Senators Dianne Feinstein (D) Barbara Boxer (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 4. ...

Geography

Albion lies directly on California's Highway 1 north of Elk, and south of Mendocino and Little River. It lies just north of the intersection of Highway 128 and Highway 1. Albion consists of three major roads: Albion Ridge Road, Navarro Ridge Road, and Middle Ridge Road. The first two are accessible from the coast (Highway 1), but Middle Ridge, running parallel, is only accessible from inland. The side-roads on Albion Ridge Road are labeled from B through Q. JUNCTION POSTMILE I-5 ORA 0. ... Elk is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California with a population of 208. ... View of Mendocino from the southwest. ... Little River may refer to: in Australia: Little River, Victoria. ...

The topography of the area can be viewed with TerraServer.

The nearest beaches include Navarro Beach, to the south, and Handley Beach at the head of Albion Ridge Road.

Vegetation includes Coastal Headlands, California Redwood Forests, and Pygmy forests. Binomial name Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl. ... A pygmy forest is a forest which, for geological reasons, contains only miniature trees. ...

Albion has two bridges, spanning the Albion and Navarro rivers. The Albion River Bridge is the last standing wooden bridge on the Highway 1.

History

In 1845, Mexico awarded English sea captain William Richardson a large land grant, stretching along the California coast from Mal Paso Creek to Big River (encompassing the land between the present-day towns of Elk and Mendocino). Captain Richardson had partly earned this prize by marrying the daughter of the Mexican Commandant of Yerba Buena (present-day San Francisco). By 1853 Richardson had built, in the middle of this tract, a home and sawmill alongside a narrow river estuary. He named the spot Albion, after the ancient name for his homeland.

Richardson's sawmill was the first to begin operation along the Redwood Coast. It was powered by a tide-driven water wheel, which would operate whether the tide was coming in or going out. Unfortunately, the mill was destroyed by ocean waves during its first winter. Richardson rebuilt the mill the following year, steam-driven this time, but lost all his land that same year when the U.S. Land Commission refused to recognize his Mexican title.

A sawmill would continue to operate at this location over the next 75 years. By 1861 a hotel, livery stable, and mercantile store were also in operation. Miles Standish (a direct descendant of the famous pilgrim) and Henry Hickey purchased the lumber company in 1891. Southern Pacific Railroad bought the operation in 1907 in order to provide redwood ties for railroads they were building in Mexico. They expanded the small logging railroad in the area, extending lines inland to Comptche and the deep end of Anderson Valley. The mill eventually closed down in 1928, and the railroad halted operation in 1930.

Schools

The town belongs to the Mendocino Unified School District and children attend Albion Elementary School until third or fourth grade, then Mendocino Middle School and Mendocino High School.

Further Resources

Current local news can be found at [1]

Melbourne, Australia by night For alternate meanings see city (disambiguation) A city is an urban area that is differentiated from a town, village, or hamlet by size, population density, importance, or legal status. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with unincorporated. ... Mendocino County is a county located on Californias north coast, north of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sonoma County and west of the Central Valley. ... A county seat is an administrative centre for a county. ... Ukiah is the county seat of Mendocino County, California. ... An incorporated place, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, is a type of governmental unit incorporated under state law as a city, town (except the New England states, New York, and Wisconsin), borough (except in Alaska and New York), or village and having legally prescribed limits, powers, and... Fort Bragg is a city located in coastal Mendocino County, California. ... Point Arena and the Point Arena lighthouse, looking southward from Manchester State Beach. ... Ukiah is the county seat of Mendocino County, California. ... Willits is a city located in Mendocino County, California. ... A census-designated place (CDP) is an area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical reporting. ... Boonville is an unincorporated town in Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, California. ... Covelo is a census-designated place located in Mendocino County, California. ... Elk is a census-designated place in Mendocino County, California with a population of 208. ... Laytonville is a census-designated place located in Mendocino County, California. ... View of Mendocino from the Northwest. ... Philo is an unincorporated town in Anderson Valley located in western Mendocino County, California. ... History In 1852, when William and Thomas Potter and Mose Briggs first entered what would be known as Potter Valley, they were searching for the headwaters of the Russian River from their base in Sonoma County. ... Talmage is a census-designated place located in Mendocino County, California. ...

External links

• Albion, CA Travel Information