Weott, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Weott, California
unincorporated community census-designated place
Weott, California Location in California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Humboldt County
Area
• Total	0.770 sq mi (1.995 km2)
• Land	0.751 sq mi (1.946 km2)
• Water	0.019 sq mi (0.049 km2)  2.44%
Elevation	300 ft (100 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	219
• Density	284.3/sq mi (109.77/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Code	95571
Area code(s)	707
GNIS feature IDs	237419; 2583075

Weott is a small community located in Humboldt County, California. It's about 375 kilometers (233 miles) north of San Francisco. Weott is also about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Pacific Ocean. The lower part of Weott sits at an elevation of 100 meters (328 feet). It is found along the Avenue of the Giants scenic highway. This area is also in the flood plain of the South Fork of the Eel River. In 2020, 219 people lived in Weott. The United States Census Bureau officially calls Weott a "census-designated place" (CDP) for counting purposes.

It's important to know that Weott is not connected to a place called Camp Weeott. Camp Weeott was a fishing village established near Ferndale around 1925. It was destroyed by a big flood in 1955.

History of Weott

The name Weott likely comes from the Wíyat people. These people were a group of the Wishosk people. They lived near the delta of the Eel River, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northwest of today's Weott. The word wíyat referred to both the area and the people living there. Today, this group is known as the Wiyot.

The town of Weott is actually outside the areas where the Wiyot people are known to have lived. In 1849, when white settlers arrived looking for new routes to the Trinity gold mines, the Sinkyone peoples lived in the Weott area. The Wiyot people lived further north. Today, they live on the Table Bluff Reservation near Loleta.

In 1851, an expedition led by Indian Agent Redick McKee caused many people to claim land in the area. Native groups did not agree with this. Conflicts started, leading to groups like the Volunteer Company of Dragoons. These conflicts continued until at least the 1870s.

How Weott Got Its Name

Before 1925, Weott was known by informal names like Helm's Mill or Helm's Camp. Helm's Camp was set up where redwood ties were made for the railroad being built along the Eel River. Later, it was called McKee's Mill. This name came from Ernest McKee, who ran a shingle mill east of lower Weott. He was lost in the 1964 flood.

When residents asked the United States Postal Service for a post office in 1925, they needed an official name. Some say they had to choose a new name because another town in California was already called McKee. However, this might not be true. Other stories say a naming contest led to the name Weott. Another idea is that the USPOD chose the name from several options.

Weott's ZIP Code is 95571. There is no home mail delivery in Weott. Mail goes to post office boxes. Weott is in area code 707.

Weather in Weott

Weott has a mild climate. Summers are warm, and winters are cool and wet.

Major Floods in Weott

Weott has been greatly affected by two major floods. The first was in December 1955. The South Fork of the Eel River overflowed, partly destroying lower Weott. The town mostly rebuilt after this.

Then, in December 1964, an even bigger flood hit. This was caused by a rare weather event called a "Pineapple Express." This brought warm, moist air from the Pacific Ocean. It combined with cold air from Alaska and strong winds. This created the biggest flood ever recorded on California's North Coast. The storm was so strong that it destroyed 26 river gauges. Because of this, much of the flood information comes from people's reports and estimates made after the flood.

Other rivers in northern California, like the Russian, Eel, Klamath, and Rogue Rivers, also reached record high levels. In nine days, up to 760 millimeters (30 inches) of rain fell. On December 21-22, 290 millimeters (11 inches) fell in just 24 hours. The South Fork of the Eel River is thought to have peaked at nearly 5,700 cubic meters per second (200,000 cubic feet per second) at a station south of Weott. This was much higher than the 1955 flood. Many small towns were flooded, and Weott was one of the worst hit.

Life After the Floods

Because of the 1955 and 1964 floods, most residents now live in the hills. They live at higher elevations, usually between 120 and 200 meters (394-656 feet). This keeps them safe from future floods. The larger Weott area includes places like Bull Creek, Dyerville, South Fork, Camp Grant, and Burlington.

The Weott Community Service District manages local services. They handle the town's sewage treatment and water supply. Weott's water used to come from a property east of town. Now, it comes from a spring west of town, across the Eel River. The California State Parks tried to find other water sources for Weott. They even built a well in 2003, but it had too much dirt and couldn't be used. The Weott Community Service District is still looking for a new water source.

In summer, early morning and late evening fog often keeps the area from getting too hot. While daytime temperatures can sometimes reach over 30°C (86°F), they are usually below 30°C. Weott has a very rainy season from November to May. This is because it's close to the ocean and in the shadow of Grasshopper Peak, which is 1,030 meters (3,379 feet) high. Locals report about 2,000 millimeters (79 inches) of rain each year. However, the amount can range from 700 to 2,500 millimeters (28-98 inches).

Because of its wet climate, Weott is surrounded by redwood trees. Most of these are second-growth trees, meaning they grew after the original forests were cut down. However, the nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park has nearly 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) of old-growth redwoods. This includes Rockefeller Forest, which is the largest group of old-growth redwoods still existing. Weott is also close to famous tall redwoods. The Giant Tree is 108 meters (354 feet) tall. The Dyerville Giant was 113 meters (371 feet) tall before it fell in 1991. Sometimes, Weott has water rationing in the summers because it doesn't have enough water storage.

People in Weott

The 2020 United States census showed that Weott had 219 people. All of them lived in homes. The population density was about 112 people per square kilometer (292 people per square mile).

Most people in Weott were White (80.8%). There were also Native Americans (2.3%) and people of two or more races (11.4%). About 12.3% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.

There were 104 households. About 14.4% of these had children under 18. The average household had 2.11 people.

The ages of people in Weott varied. About 21.5% were under 18. About 32.0% were between 25 and 44. And 16.4% were 65 or older. The average age was 41.8 years. There were more males (126) than females (93).

There were 123 housing units. Most of these (84.6%) were occupied. About half (51.0%) were owned by the people living there. The other half (49.0%) were rented.

Weott's Economy

In 1987, a long-time resident named Velma Childs listed the businesses in Weott before the 1955 flood. These included a candy shop, an ice cream shop, two gas stations, a laundromat, a bar, two cafes, three restaurants, two auto garages, a Ford dealership, a church, a movie theater, two grocery stores, a dress shop, a telephone office, a print shop, a chainsaw shop, a sporting goods store, a beauty shop, and an apple orchard. These were all along a 400-meter (1,300-foot) stretch of the Avenue of the Giants. She also listed thirteen homes in lower Weott.

The 1955 flood destroyed or badly damaged the theater, two motels, a grocery store, a service station, the bar, and a restaurant. Other businesses repaired their buildings. After the 1964 flood, only one house was built on the old town site. Most residents and some businesses moved to higher ground to avoid future floods. Many did not return. The 1964 flood was called a "thousand-year flood" by Governor Edmund Brown. A 36-foot-tall flood marker shows how high the water rose on December 24, 1964.

The main jobs for Weott residents used to be in the lumber industry. This industry has mostly disappeared. Now, some locals travel to jobs in nearby communities. Others work for government groups like the school district or Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Many retired people also live in Weott.

Fun Things to Do in Weott

Events and Activities

Since 1972, the Avenue of the Giants Marathon has happened on the first Sunday in May. It starts 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of Weott at the Dyerville Bridge. Since 1993, it has included a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) race. A 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) race was added in 2002.

The Humboldt Redwoods Marathon has taken place on the second Sunday of October since 1976. It now also has 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) and 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) races. The 21.1-kilometer race has been the championship for the Pacific Association of the United States Track and Field Association for several years. Before the races, there is a large spaghetti dinner at Weott's Milligan Hall for the runners.

Since 1951, Weott has also hosted the Southern Humboldt Garden Club Flower Show. It is held at the Agnes J. Johnson Elementary School on the fourth Sunday in May. Local gardeners bring their best roses and other flowers to win ribbons and prizes. The show also sells plants, food, and crafts.

The Humboldt Redwoods State Park headquarters offers various seasonal activities. These include guided nature walks and Christmas tree lightings.

Weott's Government

The town of Weott has a special service district called the Weott Community Services District. This district provides water and sewer connections within the town's boundaries.

In the state government, Weott is part of California's 2nd Senate District and 2nd Assembly District. Federally, it is in California's 2nd congressional district.

Weott's Facilities and Transportation

Local Services and Buildings

Weott does not have many businesses anymore. The general store, which opened in 1919, closed in 2003. However, the town still has a post office. It also has a Cal Fire station. This station was torn down in 2010 and rebuilt.

Weott is home to the Agnes J. Johnson Charter School. This is a public school that is free to attend. It serves students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 9th grade. By 2025, it will serve all students from TK through 12th grade. The school is authorized by the Humboldt County Board of Education and serves students from several nearby communities.

There is one community center called Milligan Hall. It is named after a long-time resident. This building was the town's schoolhouse from 1923 to 1954. Later, it became a Legion Hall. At one time, the land around it was used as a Cal Fire tent camp, likely for firefighters.

Weott used to have two churches: Faith Chapel Assembly of God and the non-denominational Weott Christian Church. The Weott Christian Church, started in 1954, has had its non-profit status paused. Faith Chapel is still active.

Weott Center, located near the Highway 101 off-ramp, used to have the Sequoia Hotel, a restaurant, a Union 76 gas station, and a company that made redwood souvenirs. None of these businesses are still open.

About 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) south of Weott is Burlington Campground. This campground also has the Humboldt Redwoods State Park visitor center. It is one of several campgrounds in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. However, it is the only one open all year. The closest businesses to Weott are in Myers Flat, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south. For major shopping, people go to Garberville (35 kilometers or 22 miles south) or Fortuna (45 kilometers or 28 miles north).

Until 2010, Weott only had slow dial-up internet. In 2010, high-speed internet became available in the town.

Getting Around Weott

Two main roads lead to Weott: State Highway 254 (the Avenue of the Giants) and U.S. Highway 101. Both roads run north and south. Weott can be reached from the Avenue of the Giants. However, the town has not had a big presence on it since the 1964 flood. Highway 101, built in 1962, goes through the upper part of the town. It has its own off-ramp and on-ramp in both directions.

Both roads go through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic route. It is popular with people driving RVs, motorcycles, and bicycles. In the summer, there are several swimming spots along the Avenue near Weott. A temporary pedestrian bridge is put in at Burlington campground during the summer. Another is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north at Women's Federation Grove. Weott is surrounded by old homesteads that are now part of the State Park. Many of these old properties still have parts of orchards and old buildings.

See also

In Spanish: Weott (California) para niños