Elk, Mendocino County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elk
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Beach in Elk
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 Elk
Location in California
Elk
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mendocino County |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| ZIP code |
95432
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| Area code | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-21992 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1655992 |
Elk (once called Sadie Gravlee and Elk River) is a small, unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California. This means it's a town that isn't officially governed by its own local city government. It's known for its beautiful coastal views and rich history tied to the lumber industry.
Contents
Where is Elk?
Elk is located about 22 miles (35 km) south of Fort Bragg. It sits right on the coast, about 135 feet (41 meters) above sea level.
Elk's Location and Neighbors
Elk is found where State Route 1 meets Philo-Greenwood Road. It has a population of 208 people.
- To the north of Elk, you'll find towns like Albion, Little River, and Mendocino.
- To the south are Manchester and Point Arena.
- If you head inland, you'll reach Navarro, Philo, and Boonville.
Elk's History
Elk was first named "Greenwood." It got this name from the Greenwood brothers, who were early settlers in the area. Their father, Caleb Greenwood, was a famous mountain man.
How Elk Got Its Name
When a post office opened in 1887, there was already another town called Greenwood in California. So, the post office was named Elk Post Office instead. Over time, the name "Elk" became the name for the whole town.
The Rise of the Lumber Industry
Elk grew out of an older town called Cuffy's Cove. The cemetery for Elk is still located at the old Cuffy's Cove townsite, about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Elk.
A pioneer lumberman named Lorenzo White wanted to ship out his redwood products. He couldn't make a good deal with the owners of the shipping chutes at Cuffy's Cove. So, he decided to build his own wharf (a kind of dock) in the middle of what is now Elk.
He also built a large steam sawmill and a small railroad. This new mill created many jobs, and people moved from Cuffy's Cove to Elk. Eventually, Cuffy's Cove was abandoned. By 1890, the sawmill was producing a huge amount of lumber every day.
Changes in Ownership and Challenges
The mill was sold to Goodyear Redwood Company in 1916. Later, in 1932, the Elk River Company took over when Goodyear went out of business. The local redwood lumber industry faced a big problem when the sawmill burned down in 1936. It was not insured, which meant there was no money to rebuild it.
Elk Today
New sawmills were built around 1953 and 1963. These mills operated until the late 1960s, when most of the redwood and Douglas fir trees had been cut down.
After a quiet period, Elk has become popular again. Many people now visit it as a recreation destination. This has especially happened since the pandemic, as people wanted to get away from busy cities. Some of the large old houses in Elk are now bed and breakfast inns. The state of California has also turned Greenwood State Beach and the original mill site into a state park for everyone to enjoy.
The ZIP Code for Elk is 95432, and the area code is 707.
Images for kids
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Sunset in Elk
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View of the ocean and the rock formations from Elk
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Greenwood - Elk Beach, Mendocino County, California
