Klamath County, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Klamath County
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Location within the U.S. state of California
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 California's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| Founded | 1851 |
Klamath County was a county in California that existed from 1851 to 1874. It was unique because it is the only county in California that has ever been completely removed from the map.
When it was first formed, Klamath County was a very large area. It covered the entire northwestern part of California. This included land from the Mad River in the south all the way to the border with Oregon in the north. It stretched from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the middle of what is now Siskiyou County in the east. Over time, its borders changed, and parts of it became new counties.
Contents
History of Klamath County
Klamath County was created in 1851 from a part of Trinity County. Its first main town, or county seat, was Trinidad. Trinidad is located on the coast in the southwestern part of the county.
Changes to the County Seat
In 1854, the county seat was moved to Crescent City. This happened because Crescent City had a larger population. However, people in the eastern part of the county were mostly involved in mining. They felt that Crescent City, on the coast, didn't represent their interests well.
So, in 1856, the county seat moved again. This time it went inland to Orleans Bar, which is now called Orleans. The next year, in 1857, Del Norte County was created. This new county included Crescent City, which was no longer part of Klamath County.
Challenges and Disasters
After the California Gold Rush, the economy of Klamath County struggled. There were also conflicts between the European-American settlers and the local indigenous peoples. These conflicts, sometimes called "wars," caused a lot of hardship. They made it difficult for supplies to reach the settlements from the coastal towns.
A major disaster hit the county in 1862. The Great Flood of 1862 was a huge flood that swept away many riverside towns. It also destroyed mining equipment and ferries. This flood caused a lot of damage and made the county's economic problems even worse.
The End of Klamath County
Because of its ongoing challenges, Klamath County was finally dissolved in 1874. Its land was divided between two nearby counties: Siskiyou County and Humboldt County. Today, Del Norte County also occupies some of the land that was once part of Klamath County.
Towns and Settlements of Klamath County
Many towns and settlements existed within Klamath County during its time. After the county was dissolved, these places became part of other counties. Here are a few examples of towns that were once in Klamath County:
- Crescent City: Was the county seat for a time, later became part of Del Norte County.
- Orleans Bar: Became the final county seat, now in Humboldt County.
- Trinidad: The very first county seat, now in Humboldt County.
- Forks of Salmon: A settlement that is now in Siskiyou County.
- Hoopa Valley: An area that later became part of Humboldt County.
