Humboldt County Historical Society

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Touring the Old Redwood Highway: Mendocino County
by Diane Hawk

    The businesses, auto camps, waysides and more that once dotted the Old Redwood Highway through Mendocino County are researched, reviewed and brought to life in this comprehensive volume. Many of the hotels and auto courts have faded into history, while others have been rejuvenated and restored. Some of the more unusual include Ukiah's Redwood Tree Service Station - a service station built out of an old redwood log. Willit's Van Hotel, vacant at the of the book's writing, was built in 1924 and was listed in the Directory of World Class Hotels "and enjoyed an international reputation among politicians and dignitaries as the most important stop north of San Francisco."
    Hawk's book is full of intriguing photos and captivating facts about traveling in the earlier days.