We left Florence, Oregon, on July 22, 2024. While driving through Oregon, we noticed quite a few glassblowing studios. Perhaps influenced by Dale Chihuly’s artwork? The Gilded & Ethereal Blue Chandelier is located at Global Aviation in Hillsboro Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon. Other creations have been or are displayed at Willamette University, the Portland Art Museum, and in various galleries.

For the first time this trip, we had no reservations. I noted two casinos and a KOA where we might find accommodations for a night or maybe two. The first casino we pulled into was too sketchy for our taste. The first thumbs down was its location in the middle of a residential area. The second was the junky motorhome a few spaces down the row that was running its outdoor open-frame generator. We certainly didn’t want to listen to it all afternoon and night.

We next drove through the KOA, but of course they had no space. Our third try was the charm at Elk Valley Casino, owned and operated by the Elk Valley Rancheria. It sat up on a hill overlooking the valley, where a herd of elk grazed. The casino had plenty of parking designated for RVs, a restaurant, and other amenities inside. All we had to do was sign in with security and dine on a pair of awesome hamburgers at the Warriors Bar & Grill.

Redwood Coast Cabins and RV Park in Eureka, California, was our next destination, where we planned to stay for four nights. We arrived early enough to get our laundry cleaned. When I saw the one washer with a coat of dark sandy dirt all over it, I walked out and hoped we’d find a decent laundromat somewhere in town. I sure didn’t want my clothes coming out dirtier than when they went in. Fortunately, we found a laundromat in Arcata. I gladly paid the extra cost for clean machines and an attendant on duty.

City of Eureka Street Scenes

I never tire of the Victorian styled buildings in these historic towns, so they often end up in these posts. No need to peruse them if they’re not your jam. If they are, you’re welcome.

Historic Mansions

One of the most iconic buildings in Eureka is the Carson Mansion, completed in 1885 by William Carson, who made his fortune in lumber. Its tower is visible in many places throughout town. In the late 1940s, after the last of his heirs abandoned the property and could not find a buyer, the mansion faced destruction.

Local business owners J.H. Crothers and Carl Gustafson, along with other residents, formed the Ingomar Club. The group took over the property and began maintenance and improvements. In 1988, the club initiated an extensive renovation that included replacing replicas of 1889 architectural details where needed.

The Queen Anne style Pinc Lady Mansion (formerly known as the Pink Lady) was built in 1889. New owners still offer the B&B experience and can accommodate wedding and special event rentals. William Carson built this home as a wedding gift for his son and his wife.

At the end of M Street, across Second Street from the Pinc Lady Mansion, stands a newer styled building. Its style is reminiscent of architecture used in the 1940s or 1950s with its sleek, clean lines and lack of ornamentation. This building houses the Mathews, Kluck, Walsh, & Wykle law firm.

Other Buildings and Sites Around Town

A search revealed two independent bookstores in Eureka: Eureka Books Historic Bookstore (selling new, used, and antiquarian books) and Booklegger (selling used books).

In addition, on the second floor of the city’s library is Serendipity Bookstore. Operated by Friends of the Redwood Libraries, the bookstore sells used books, magazines, and videos. That’s a lot of options for a city with a population of 25,000.

The Zombie Trains

I took photos of these locomotives in the spring of 2014. In December of that year, the City of Eureka declared them a public nuisance. Legal actions, changes in responsibility, and the decline in scrap metal prices prevented their removal until September 2024.

The owner tried to appease the city by painting them gray in 2015. As the photo below shows, the paint didn’t last. Although not everyone will agree, I prefer the look of the graffiti to the blotches of rust and paint.

A September 11, 2024, article by the Lost Coast Outpost reported on the status of the Zombie Trains removal piece by piece on site, using heavy machinery. Thus ending the debate between paint, rust, and graffiti. I’m sure the City of Eureka cheered at the removal of the locomotives. Our next trip through Eureka won’t be quite the same without seeing the rusty, graffiti-sprayed hunks of metal. I’ll be watching to see what will take their place.

Next up: More in Eureka, California, including the Sequoia Park Zoo and Redwood Sky Walk

Safe Travels