Fortuna's History: the Road To The Friendly City

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Before the development of the railroad, there was another thriving town in the area of present-day Fortuna called Rohnerville. Originally known as Eel River Township, the town was later named Rohnerville in the 1850s after Henry Rohner, one of the town's earliest settlers.

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The house that Henry built. He retired here, but Hunan's Restaurant occupies this lot today.
Henry Rohner opened a store a couple of miles south of Fortuna (first called Rohner's, then Rohnerville). There were then only a half-dozen trading posts around Humboldt Bay. After two days of journeying, travelers reaching his store were at the end of the line of civilization in Humboldt County. There were no supplies beyond his establishment, and men headed to the gold mines stocked up at his store for the many days of journeying to reach their destinations.

Henry Rohner had tried his fortune at the gold diggings, but he soon realized there was more money to be made selling supplies to the miners. In arrived in the area in 1849 and shortly thereafter opened a general store at the end of the wagon trail to the mines. It did not take long for a town to grow and Rohnerville (at first called Eel Valley and then Rohner's) soon became a booming mecca. Much of Fortuna's history began with the neighboring town of Rohnerville.

Even though Rohnerville grew first as a supply stop for those venturing to Trinity County for gold, it soon grew to accommodate many businesses and even a college. Mount St. Joseph's College was founded in 1872 and officially closed due to the lack of funding in 1889. St. Joseph's was located near the present-day Rohnerville Airport.

At one time wooden sidewalks connected Rohnerville and Fortuna allowing people to enjoy the amenities of both towns, such as sporting events and Fortuna's movie theater. Rohnerville was once even considered for the seat of Humboldt County, but because the trail was routed past the town to Fortuna so was much of the business and prosperity.

Along with helping to establish Rohnerville, Henry Rohner also donated Fortuna the land for its first city park, but during the late 1800s flooding destroyed the land. Then in the early 1900s Mary Rohner, Rohner's widow, sold the town a total of 52.75 acres of the family's land in three installments, which is now the location of the present-day Rohner Park. Rohner's daughter, Elizabeth Barcus Rohner, sold the third section of land to the city for $1 with the stipulation that the park's name never be changed.

Fortuna Rodeo

Fortuna was not only known for its location and prosperity but also for the town's events and festivals. One of Fortuna's most well known events is its annual rodeo in July The first rodeo-like event was held in Rohner Park in 1921. Over the years the event grew and by 1929 the sport's popularity was so widespread that the group joined the Rodeo Association of America.

In 1953, the Fortuna spirit was demonstrated when the town hosted a Diamond Jubilee and a spectacular parade. The tradition still holds strong in Fortuna come every July. Present -day Fortuna host a whole array of events such as the spring Daffodil Show, drawing spectators from Oregon to the Bay Area in March, Paddle to the Headwaters canoe race in April, Art & Wine in the Park in June, the Rodeo and Fortuna Redwood Autorama in July, Civil War Days in September, the Apple Harvest Festival in October and the Electric Lighted Parade and Christmas Music Festival in December.

Since Fortuna's first beginnings in the 1800s it has proven its name as the "Friendly City" to be true, There is no doubt this name will carry on far into the town's future and fortune.