In the 1850s, settlers discovered the area's abundant redwood forests, and in 1852, the town of Mendocino was founded by pioneers led by Henry Meiggs, a San Francisco businessman. Meiggs established a sawmill to meet the growing timber demands of San Francisco, particularly after the California Gold Rush. The redwood logging industry quickly became the economic foundation of Mendocino, driving the town's rapid growth as logging operations expanded.
During this time, immigrants, especially from New England, arrived and built the town in a distinctive architectural style reminiscent of northeastern U.S. villages, with Victorian-era homes and saltbox cottages. This unique architectural charm remains a defining feature of Mendocino to this day.
