Albion is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California.[1] It is located 15 miles (24 km) south of Fort Bragg,[2] at an elevation of 174 feet (53 m).[1] Albion has a population of 1,035.
Geography
Albion lies directly on California's State Route 1 north of Elk, and south of Mendocino and Little River. It lies just north of the intersection of State Route 128 and State Route 1 (Shoreline Highway). Albion consists of three major roads: Albion Ridge Road, Navarro Ridge Road, and Middle Ridge Road. The first two are accessible from the coast (State Route 1), but Middle Ridge, running parallel, is only accessible from Albion Ridge Road ( inland) . The side-roads on Albion Ridge Road are labeled from B through Q. Middle Ridge road begins at Albion Ridge Road just beyond M Road.
The nearest beaches include Navarro Beach, to the south, and Handley Beach at the head of Albion Ridge Road.
Vegetation includes Coastal Headlands, California Redwood Forests, and Pygmy forests.
Albion has two bridges, spanning the Albion River and the Little Salmon Creek. The Albion River Bridge, built in 1944 when steel and concrete were in short supply, remains as the last wooden bridge still in use on State Route 1.
The ZIP Code is 95410. The community is inside area code 707.
History
In 1845, Mexico awarded English sea captain William A. Richardson a large land grant, stretching along the California coast from Mal Paso Creek to Big River (encompassing the land between the present-day towns of Elk and Mendocino). Captain Richardson had partly earned this prize by marrying the daughter of the Mexican Commandant of Yerba Buena (present-day San Francisco). By 1853 Richardson had built, in the middle of this tract, a home and sawmill alongside a narrow river estuary. He named the spot Albion, after the ancient name for his homeland.
Richardson's sawmill was the first to begin operation along the Redwood Coast. It was powered by a tide-driven water wheel, which would operate whether the tide was coming in or going out. Unfortunately, the mill was destroyed by ocean waves during its first winter. Richardson rebuilt the mill the following year, steam-driven this time, but lost all his land that same year when the U.S. Land Commission refused to recognize his Mexican title.
The first post office opened in 1859.[2]
A sawmill would continue to operate at this location over the next 75 years. By 1861 a hotel, livery stable, and mercantile store were also in operation. Miles Standish (a direct descendant of the famous pilgrim) and Henry Hickey purchased the lumber company in 1891. Southern Pacific Railroad bought the operation in 1907 in order to provide redwood ties for railroads they were building in Mexico. They expanded the small logging railroad in the area, extending lines inland to Comptche and the deep end of Anderson Valley. The mill eventually closed down in 1928, and the railroad halted operation in 1930.[3]
Schools
The town belongs to the Mendocino Unified School District and children attend Albion Elementary School or Mendocino K8 School until third grade, then Mendocino K8 School and Mendocino High School.[4]
Politics
In the state legislature Albion is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Pat Wiggins, and in the 1st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Patty Berg. Federally, Albion is located in California's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +10[5] and is represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.
References
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