History of Ukiah

Part of one of California’s original 27 counties, Mendocino County was created by the State Legislature in 1850.  Until 1859, Mendocino County was sparse in population and business was administered by the government of Sonoma County.

One of several Mexican Land Grants that make up Mendocino County, the Yokayo Grant eventually became Ukiah. The word Yokayo comes from the local Native Indian word meaning "deep valley.”

In 1856, Ukiah's first European settler, Samuel Lowry, built a log cabin on the southwest corner of what is now Perkins and Main Streets.  Two years later, the city’s first hotel was built by Harrison Standley.  It stood on the southwest corner of Main and Standley streets (Standley was also the town’s first postmaster).

In 1859, when the population grew large enough to govern itself, the first county office was built on Ukiah’s Main Street.

With expansion came the need for information.  In 1860, the city's first newspaper, The Mendocino Herald, was established, providing the anxious citizens of Ukiah news about the Civil War and as well as state issues.

Economic expansion was rapid in the late 1800s, and soon Ukiah’s founders raised enough money to build the city’s original courthouse. Though most of it was lost to fire in 1917, parts of the 1873 structure are still enclosed within the present day courthouse.

In 1889, the first train steamed into Ukiah resulting in rapid growth and an explosion in property prices.  During this time, the population of Ukiah was increasing and the town was showing signs of prosperity--with drug stores, several saloons, doctor and lawyer offices, and livery and feed stables being built in speedy succession (most around the courthouse). Ukiah grew to nearly 2,000 people.

In 1917, disaster struck this burgeoning settlement. A blaze—known as "The Big Fire"--started in the livery stable next to the Maple Cafe (which is the Palace Place today), and soon, the entire west side of the State Street burned to the ground.  Not ones to be easily discouraged, passionate residents of the town started rebuilding immediately and before long, Ukiah was once again the center of activity in the county. 


With the end of World War II came the nationwide building boom.  Lumber camps sprang up all over the county as redwood came into vogue.  During the Lumber Rush of 1949, Mendocino flourished processing the "red gold" from these ancient giants.

In the 1950s, the population of Ukiah had grown to about 6,000 people. There was one elementary school, Yokayo School, where the Civic Center stands today.

In the mid-1990s, Ukiah was rated one of the 10 best and most livable cities in the country. Today, the city of almost 16,000 people serves as the county seat of government as well as the headquarters for much of Mendocino's industry and agriculture.

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