Comfort, California facts for kids

Comfort was once a small community, or "settlement," located in Mendocino County, California. It is no longer an active town today, which is why it's called a "former settlement."

What Was Comfort?

Comfort was situated about 11.5 miles (about 18.5 kilometers) west of Boonville. This location was important because it was the very end of a stagecoach line. A stagecoach line was like an old-fashioned bus route, where horse-drawn carriages carried people and goods between towns. Being at the end of such a line meant Comfort was a stopping point for travelers and deliveries.

A Hub for Mail: The Post Office

A key part of Comfort's history was its post office. A post office is where letters and packages are sent and received. For a small community, having a post office was very important for communication with the outside world. The post office in Comfort operated from 1902 until 1911. During that time, it even moved its location once, in 1905, showing that the settlement was active enough to need this service.

Why Do Settlements Disappear?

Many small settlements like Comfort eventually become "former" places. This can happen for several reasons. Sometimes, new roads or railways change how people travel, making old stagecoach stops less important. Other times, people might move away to bigger towns for work or better opportunities. Comfort's story is a small piece of California's past, showing how communities grew and changed over time.