The paved walkway going down to the light station
Point Cabrillo Light Station
The area where the Frolic ran aground
One of the three lightkeeper houses on the grounds
Point Cabrillo hosted a pivotal moment in North Coast history when the barque (sailing ship) Frolic went aground in the small bay just north of the lighthouse in 1850. The shipwreck caused Jerome Ford to be sent north by his employer to try and salvage some of the valuable cargo. The ship's crew had pretty well salvaged most of the valuables and what they didn't get, the local Pomo Indians did (some being seen wearing bright colored silk wraps). Mr. Ford was not successful with the ship but he was shown the huge redwood trees up the Big River. Being a lumber man, he reported his findings to his employer who in turn started working on setting up the first large scale lumber operation in Mendocino. This operation was the life blood of the local economy until the 1930's. Jerome Ford was honored by the California State legislature in the 1970's by being named the founder of Mendocino, about the same time Mendocino was placed on the National Historic Register.
Speaking of being honored...we are being honored by two sets of special visitors over the next ten days. Our very good friends, Ken & Janice, are coming on Friday for a weeks visit. Then, while they are still here, our daughter and her two children are coming for a two or three day visit. We are really looking forward to their visits.
Ain't life grand?
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1 comment:
We had a great time with you guys and we're so glad we were there the same time as those adorable grandkids of yours planned to be there "on vacation" as J would tell me. Now I'm waiting for some beach pictures from the day we left . . .
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