Albeeville, California facts for kids
Albeeville (also, Albee) was once a small settlement in Klamath County, California. Today, this area is part of Humboldt County. Albeeville was located along Redwood Creek. It was close enough to Fort Gaston for a day's travel. The settlement's post office was named after Joseph Porter Albee. He was the first postmaster there. The Albeeville post office unfortunately burned down in November 1863.
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Where Was Albeeville?
Albeeville was located in Humboldt County. It was near where the North Fork and Redwood Creek join together. An old letter from 1862 helps us understand its location. It mentions Albee's ranch was about 4 miles from Whitney's ranch. It was also about 6 miles downstream from Tom Bair's Ranch. This area was about 8 miles downstream from Fort Anderson.
The Story of Albeeville
Joseph Porter Albee was born in Ohio in 1815. He grew up on a farm in New York State. Later, he moved to Michigan and then to Illinois. He married Caltha Putnam there.
Joseph Albee's Journey
Joseph Albee joined the California Gold Rush. He left his family in Illinois to seek his fortune. After a short time mining, he became an ox freighter. He also mined on the Trinity River and did well. He then started a dairy farm in Weaverville, California. His family joined him there in 1852. They traveled all the way across the Isthmus of Panama to get to California.
Next, Joseph moved horses and cattle to Humboldt. He then brought his family from Weaverville. They settled at Table Bluff in 1852. In 1856, the family moved to Redwood Creek. There, they started a cattle ranch and an orchard.
Running the Post Office
Joseph Albee also ran a hotel. This hotel was on the trail between Arcata and the Klamath Mines. He also operated the local post office. He was the postmaster from March 5, 1862, to April 2, 1863.
Challenges and Changes
During the Bald Hills War, some soldiers stayed at Albee's ranch in 1862. When the soldiers left, Joseph and his family also left the ranch. They moved to Arcata for safety. Joseph later returned to his ranch. He believed his past good relationships with local Native Americans would protect him. However, he was attacked and killed on November 5, 1863. His house and barn were burned, and his livestock were taken.
His family faced tough times after his death. But Mrs. Albee moved to Eureka. She successfully raised their eight children. She also managed to acquire property in the area. She lived until 1905, reaching the age of 90.
Albee Creek is a stream that flows into the Eel River. This creek is named after Joseph's son, Joseph Crippen Albee. He was born at the Albee Ranch in 1858.
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