Ukiah area facts for kids

1914 sketch map of Ukiah area showing location of arable valleys

The Ukiah area is a special part of Mendocino County, California. It covers about 303 square miles (785 hectares). This area includes fertile valleys where the Russian River flows. It also has nearby mountains from the Pacific Coast Range.

Exploring the Ukiah Area

The Ukiah area is home to several towns and places. Many of these grew because of the railroad. The railroad helped move goods and people around.

Towns and Stops in the Valleys

The Ukiah and Sanel Valleys have important stops along the railroad. These stops connect to other towns and resorts in the Coast Range mountains.

• Hopland: This town grew a lot when the railroad arrived. Before the trains, Old Hopland was the main business center. It was important when people used toll roads.

• Echo: This was another stop along the railroad line.

• Cummiskey: This stop also helped connect people and goods.

• Pieta: This place is about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Hopland. It sits at 476 feet (145 m) above sea level. A post office was here from 1891 to 1897. The name "Pieta" honors a local Native American chief. 38°55′36″N 123°03′19″W / 38.92667°N 123.05528°W / 38.92667; -123.05528

• Fountain: This was another small community along the railway.

• Largo: You can find Largo about 10 miles (16 km) south-southeast of Ukiah. It is 522 feet (159 m) high. A post office operated here from 1889 to 1905. The name "Largo" comes from Lemuel F. Long, an early settler. "Largo" means "long" in Spanish. 39°01′18″N 123°07′48″W / 39.02167°N 123.13000°W / 39.02167; -123.13000

• Henry: This was another stop on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad.

• El Roble: This stop is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south-southeast of Ukiah. It is 564 feet (172 m) above sea level. "El Roble" is a Spanish name. It means "the oak" or "the oaks." 39°05′23″N 123°10′51″W / 39.08972°N 123.18083°W / 39.08972; -123.18083

• Redwood Valley: This is another well-known valley and community in the area.

• Laughlin: This was also a stop that helped connect the region.