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Virtual Guidebook to the Northern California Coast and Coast Ranges
Samoa
North Spit on Humboldt Bay California
Samoa was a company town built by the Hammond Lumber Company. It included a huge mill and several related woodworking facilites, a deepwater port, housing for workers at all levels, plus the social and commercial facilites needed by a small town. A plywood mill was added and the sawmill modernized in the 1950's, and a pulp mill built in the 1960's.
By 1980 the supply of old growth timber in the Mad River region was exhausted. The town dwindled in population and vitality and in 2001 was put up for sale. Housing is generally in good shape and renovation continues, though a master plan for redevelopment remains elusive.
 | Dune grass on the sand dunes at Manilla, north of Samoa (January 19, 2008) | |
 | The Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum and the Samoa Cookhouse (January 19, 2008) | |
 | The main dining room at the Samoa Cookhouse (January 19, 2008) | |
 | The history room at the Samoa Cookhouse (January 19, 2008) | |
 | The Samoa Womens Club (January 19, 2008) | |
 | Bayview Drive in Samoa, overlooking the old lumber mill site on Humboldt Bay (January 19, 2008) | |
 | Vance Avenue, one of the main residential streets in Samoa (January 19, 2008) | |
 | Modest houses in poor repair on Cadman Court, Samoa (January 19, 2008) | |
 | Volunteer fire department on the Samoa town square (January 19, 2008) | |