Fields Landing, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fields Landing
census-designated place
Location of Fields Landing in Humboldt County, California.
Fields Landing Location in California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Humboldt County
Area
• Total	0.280 sq mi (0.725 km2)
• Land	0.277 sq mi (0.717 km2)
• Water	0.003 sq mi (0.008 km2)  1.1%
Elevation	13 ft (4 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	287
• Density	1,025/sq mi (395.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	95537
Area code(s)	707
GNIS feature IDs	1656012; 2628730

Fields Landing is a small community in Humboldt County, California. It is located on Humboldt Bay, about 6 miles (10 km) south of downtown Eureka. The town sits at an elevation of 13 feet (4 meters) above sea level. Its ZIP Code is 95537. In 2010, 276 people lived there. Fields Landing was once known by other names like South Bay and Adele.

History of Fields Landing

Before European settlers arrived, the land that is now Humboldt County was home to several Native American groups. Fields Landing is located in the traditional territory of the Wiyot tribe.

Early Explorers and Settlers

The first recorded visit to Humboldt Bay by Europeans was in 1806. Members of a Russian-American company explored the area. Later, in December 1849, the Josiah Gregg party arrived by land. By 1850, ships began to enter the bay, bringing people looking for gold.

As the California Gold Rush slowed down, the local economy changed. People started to use the natural resources around them. These included timber (wood), salmon, and farmland. From 1857 to 1900, the area was a major exporter of farm products.

How Fields Landing Got Its Name

Fields Landing is named after Waterman Field. He had lived in Humboldt County since 1861. In 1862, he started the town. Waterman Field owned 160 acres of land where Fields Landing is today. He built a dock there to ship his farm products. The name "Fields Landing" came from this important shipping spot.

Impact on Native Americans

In 1853, Fort Humboldt was built to protect settlers and keep peace with Native Americans. However, it did not succeed in these goals. The arrival of settlers and their animals reduced the food sources for Native people. This led to conflicts, like the Bald Hills War.

Sadly, the Wiyot people faced many challenges. Development around the bay, new diseases, and events like the 1860 Indian Island Massacre greatly reduced their population. By 1865, their numbers had fallen from about 3,000 to less than 100 survivors.

Growth and Industry Changes

In the 1880s, more docks were built in Fields Landing. These docks were used for shipping redwood and other timber. When the Northwestern Pacific Railroad reached Humboldt Bay in 1914, it helped turn tidal marshes into farmland. The building of U.S. Route 101 in 1927 also added more land, allowing most of the marshes to be drained.

After World War II, a new industry grew: Douglas fir and plywood. This brought many loggers and mill workers to the area. From 1940 to 1951, a whaling station also operated in Fields Landing. However, the timber industry remained the most important part of the community until the 1970s. When the timber industry declined in the 1980s, the community had to find new ways to use its resources. New groups of people, including Hispanic families and refugees from the Vietnam War, began to move to Fields Landing.

Population and People

Fields Landing is a small community. In 2010, its population was 276 people. Most residents were White, but there were also African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people living there. Some residents identified as being from two or more races. About 6.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, the population was 213 people. The median age in 2000 was about 29.8 years. This means half the people were younger than 29.8 and half were older.

Economy and Jobs

The economy of Fields Landing was traditionally based on fishing and timber. In recent years, the commercial fishing industry has become smaller. Today, tourism and timber are the main industries.

Shipping and Boating

Fields Landing is part of the Port of Humboldt Bay. It has two shipping terminals. The Humboldt Bay Forest Products docks have a 600-foot (183-meter) wooden dock. The Fields Landing Terminal has a 900-foot (274-meter) dock. There is also a public boat ramp for smaller boats.

Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing has been an important part of Fields Landing's history. In 2000, many fishing boats used the port. There was at least one seafood processing plant in the area. This plant shipped out crab and groundfish.

Community Services

Fields Landing can be reached by U.S. Highway 101, which is the main road into the community.

Education and Utilities

Students in Fields Landing attend elementary, middle, and high schools in nearby Eureka. The College of the Redwoods is also very close by road.

Pacific Gas and Electric provides electricity to the community. Water and sewer services come from the Humboldt Community Services District. The Humboldt County Sheriff Department handles law enforcement. For healthcare, the closest hospital is St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Fields Landing has one motel, and more lodging options are available in nearby towns.

See also

In Spanish: Fields Landing para niños