Point Arena, California#History

The first European to record Point Arena was Spaniard Bartolomé Ferrer in 1543, who named it Cabo de Fortunas ("cape of fortunes"). The cape was renamed to Punta Delgado (narrow point) in 1775 by lieutenant Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra (commander of the schooner Sonora), part of a royal expedition chartered by the government of Mexico to map the north coast of Alta California. Later the point, and the small harbor town south of it, were called Barra de Arena (i.e. sandbar) and finally Punta Arena (literally "sand point").

The Punta Arena post office opened in 1858, and was renamed Point Arena in 1889. The first store at Point Arena opened in 1859. Point Arena incorporated in 1908.

In 1886, Nellie Welch, an 11-year-old girl, was appointed lead operator and had full charge of the telegraph office in Point Arena.{{cite book |title=My Sisters Telegraphic: Women in the Telegraph Office, 1846-1950 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bcBUk9LPR0sC&pg=PA60 |first=Thomas C. |last=Jepsen |publisher=Ohio University Press |year=2000 |page=60 |access-date=January 27, 2020|isbn = 9780821413432}}{{cite book |title=The Industrial Revolution in America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcoM7w3nKfcC&pg=PA105 |first1=Kevin |last1=Hillstrom |first2=Laurie Collier |last2=Hillstrom |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2007 |page=105 |access-date=January 27, 2020|isbn = 9781851097197}}{{cite web |title=19th Century Telegraphers |url=http://telecom-digest.org/archives/history/19th-century-telegraphers |first=Jim |last=Haynes |publisher=Telecom Digest |date=October 14, 1992 |access-date=January 27, 2020 }} Operators like Western Union often hired women because they were cheaper labor than the men.

The Point Arena Cable Station is located in nearby Manchester. Built in 1956 by AT&T Corporation, the cable station serves as the eastern terminus of several undersea cables, including the Japan-US Cable Network and connections to Hawaii and Canada.{{cite web |url=http://www.privateline.com/cablestation/index.html |title=Cable Station Life |publisher=Privateline.com |access-date=July 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523021821/http://www.privateline.com/cablestation/index.html |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite journal|title=Ocean cable measurements of the tsunami signal from the 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquake|date=April 25, 1992 |doi=10.1007/BF00874376 |bibcode=1995PApGe.144..427T |volume=144 |issue=3–4 |journal=Pure and Applied Geophysics |pages=427–440 |last1=Thomson |first1=D. J. |last2=Lanzerotti |first2=L. J. |last3=MacLennan |first3=C. G. |last4=Medford |first4=L. V. |s2cid=128978523 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.thecentraloffice.com/Microwave/NMW/PARNCA/PARNCA01.htm |title=Point Arena Cable Station |publisher=Thecentraloffice.com |access-date=July 16, 2013}} In 2002, AT&T applied for a permit from the EPA to connect an existing fiber optic conduit to the cable station, since further construction would cause incidental damage to the habitat of the endangered Point Arena mountain beaver.{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-SPECIES/2002/August/Day-26/e21603.htm |title=Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan for AT&T Corporation| Federal Register Environmental Documents | USEPA |publisher=Epa.gov |access-date=July 16, 2013}}

The city of Point Arena is located in southwestern Mendocino County at {{coord|38|54|32|N|123|41|35|W|type:city}}. Its ZIP Code is 95468. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|1.4|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

File:Aerial photo of Point Arena Cove on June 5 2002 photo by Jinx McCombs.png

The city is built around Arena Cove, a small natural harbor, and is about {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} south of the actual Point Arena, a narrow peninsula jutting {{convert|0.3|mi|km}} into the Pacific Ocean. This is the location of the Point Arena Light, at {{convert|115|ft|m}} the tallest lighthouse on the west coast of the United States. The lighthouse is the closest location on the mainland (excluding Alaska) to Honolulu, Hawaii, at a distance of {{convert|2353|mi|km}}.

Via California State Route 1, Point Arena is {{convert|5|mi|0}} south of Manchester and {{convert|10|mi|0}} north of Anchor Bay. Boonville is {{convert|29|mi}} to the east across the California Coast Ranges via Mountain View Road, and Ukiah, the Mendocino county seat, is {{convert|50|mi}} to the east.

Point Arena has cool, wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it has a cool-summer Mediterranean climate. The average January temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|56.4|F|C}} and a minimum of {{convert|40.2|F|C}}. The average July temperatures are a maximum of {{convert|65.2|F|C}} and a minimum of {{convert|49.9|F|C}}. There are an average of only 0.3 days with highs of {{convert|90|F|C}} or higher and an average of 14.1 days with lows of {{convert|32|F|C}} or lower. The record high temperature was {{convert|95|F|C}} on August 12, 1947, and September 28, 1966. The record low temperature was {{convert|22|F|C}} on January 21, 1962.

Average annual precipitation is {{convert|41.28|in|mm}}. There are an average of 83 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1983 with {{convert|83.34|in|mm}} and the driest year was 1976 with {{convert|21.23|in|mm}}. The most precipitation in one month was {{convert|21.99|in|mm}}. The most precipitation in 24 hours was {{convert|5.09|in|mm}} on January 24, 1944.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7009 |title=Point Arena, California – Climate Summary |publisher=Wrcc.dri.edu |access-date=July 16, 2013}}

{{Weather box

|location = Point Arena

|single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 76

| Feb record high F = 80

| Mar record high F = 79

| Apr record high F = 83

| May record high F = 83

| Jun record high F = 85

| Jul record high F = 89

| Aug record high F = 95

| Sep record high F = 90

| Oct record high F = 92

| Nov record high F = 79

| Dec record high F = 74

| Jan high F = 56.4

| Feb high F = 57.2

| Mar high F = 57.8

| Apr high F = 59.1

| May high F = 61.1

| Jun high F = 63.0

| Jul high F = 65.2

| Aug high F = 65.7

| Sep high F = 66.7

| Oct high F = 64.9

| Nov high F = 60.7

| Dec high F = 57.2

| year high F = 61.3

| Jan low F = 40.2

| Feb low F = 42.0

| Mar low F = 42.4

| Apr low F = 43.1

| May low F = 46.0

| Jun low F = 48.6

| Jul low F = 49.9

| Aug low F = 50.5

| Sep low F = 49.8

| Oct low F = 47.2

| Nov low F = 43.3

| Dec low F = 41.4

| year low F = 45.4

| Jan record low F = 22

| Feb record low F = 25

| Mar record low F = 26

| Apr record low F = 28

| May record low F = 30

| Jun record low F = 34

| Jul record low F = 38

| Aug record low F = 38

| Sep record low F = 33

| Oct record low F = 28

| Nov record low F = 25

| Dec record low F = 24

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 7.73

| Feb precipitation inch = 6.89

| Mar precipitation inch = 5.55

| Apr precipitation inch = 2.94

| May precipitation inch = 0.93

| Jun precipitation inch = 0.29

| Jul precipitation inch = 0.12

| Aug precipitation inch = 0.3

| Sep precipitation inch = 0.72

| Oct precipitation inch = 2.91

| Nov precipitation inch = 5.65

| Dec precipitation inch = 7.26

| year precipitation inch = 41.28

| Jan precipitation days = 12

| Feb precipitation days = 12

| Mar precipitation days = 12

| Apr precipitation days = 7

| May precipitation days = 5

| Jun precipitation days = 2

| Jul precipitation days = 1

| Aug precipitation days = 1

| Sep precipitation days = 3

| Oct precipitation days = 6

| Nov precipitation days = 10

| Dec precipitation days = 12

|source 1 = {{cite web

|url=http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca7009 |title=Point Arena, California (047009) |access-date=November 18, 2015 |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center }}

|date=November 2015

}}

File:Point Arena from Stormetta.JPG]]

The San Andreas Fault runs out to sea at Alder Creek near Manchester, about {{convert|6|mi|0}} north of Point Arena. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake was strongly felt at Point Arena and irreparably damaged the Point Arena Lighthouse, which was then torn down and rebuilt.

{{see also|Northern California coastal forests}}

A variety of fauna and flora occur in the Point Arena area which is a range demarcation for occurrence of some species. For example, the California giant salamander occurs to the south while the Pacific giant salamander occurs to the north.{{cite journal |last1=Good |first1=D. A. |title=Hybridization and cryptic species in Dicamptodon (Caudata: Dicamptodontidae). |journal=Evolution |date=1989 |volume=43 |issue=4 |pages=728–744 |doi=10.1111/j.1558-5646.1989.tb05172.x |pmid=28564189 |publisher=The Society for the Study of Evolution |language=en|doi-access= }} It is also the type locality for the Point Arena mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa nigra, which is federally listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered, and is considered a mammalian species of special concern by the State of California.{{cite web |title=Point Arena Mountain Beaver Aplodontia rufa nigra |url=https://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/mammals/mtnBeaver/mtnbeaver.html |website=AFWO |publisher=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Arcata Office |access-date=July 10, 2019}} According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the habitat for this subspecies of mountain beaver lies only within a {{convert|24|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} area around Point Arena. The biggest threat to the PAMB is loss of habitat, and it was officially listed as an endangered species on December 12, 1991. Much local folklore revolves around this mysterious creature.{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/mammals/mtnBeaver/mtnbeaver.html |title=Point Arena Mountain Beaver Species Profile |publisher=Fws.gov |access-date=July 16, 2013}}

The Point Arena State Marine Reserve & Point Arena State Marine Conservation Area are two marine protected areas that extend offshore from Point Arena. Sea Lion Cove State Marine Conservation Area and Saunders Reef State Marine Conservation Area lie south of Point Arena. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

Sound levels in Point Arena are relatively quiet, with many locations at night-time dominated by natural sounds, such as those of the surf. The firm of Earth Metrics Inc., who prepared the Noise Element of the Point Arena General Plan, found that, even considering the presence of logging trucks on main city streets, composite sound levels rarely exceed 55 L_eq.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111005061541/http://www.cityofpointarena.com/General%20Plan-LCP/General%20Plan/08-Noise%20TR.pdf Noise Element of the Point Arena General Plan , Earth Metrics Inc]}} The maximum acceptable sound level specified in that General Plan Element is 60 L_eq for residential areas.

{{US Census population|align=left

|1880= 198

|1890= 709

|1910= 497

|1920= 394

|1930= 385

|1940= 374

|1950= 372

|1960= 596

|1970= 424

|1980= 425

|1990= 407

|2000= 474

|2010= 449

|2020= 460

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

File:Point Arena Mercantile CA.JPG

File:Groshen House Point Arena CA.JPG

The 2020 United States census reported that Point Arena had a population of 460. The population density was {{convert|337.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Point Arena was 281 (61.1%) White, 2 (0.4%) African American, 34 (7.4%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 1 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 76 (16.5%) from other races, and 66 (14.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 141 persons (30.7%).{{cite web |title=Point Arena city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0657876 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 31, 2025}}

The whole population lived in households. There were 196 households, out of which 55 (28.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 56 (28.6%) were married-couple households, 25 (12.8%) were cohabiting couple households, 55 (28.1%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 60 (30.6%) had a male householder with no partner present. 77 households (39.3%) were one person, and 42 (21.4%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35. There were 98 families (50.0% of all households).{{cite web |title=Point Arena city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0657876 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=May 31, 2025}}

The age distribution was 100 people (21.7%) under the age of 18, 35 people (7.6%) aged 18 to 24, 92 people (20.0%) aged 25 to 44, 129 people (28.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 104 people (22.6%) who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 45.3{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 103.5 males.

There were 225 housing units at an average density of {{convert|164.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 196 (87.1%) were occupied. Of these, 83 (42.3%) were owner-occupied, and 113 (57.7%) were occupied by renters.

At the 2010 census Point Arena had a population of 449. The population density was {{convert|332.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Point Arena was 305 (67.9%) White, 2 (0.4%) African American, 1 (0.2%) Native American, 0 (0.0%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 118 (26.3%) from other races, and 23 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 150 people (33.4%).{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0657876|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715032536/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0657876|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Point Arena city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}

The whole population lived in households, no one lived in non-institutionalized group quarters and no one was institutionalized.

There were 192 households, 57 (29.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 62 (32.3%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 25 (13.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 13 (6.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 20 (10.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 3 (1.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 71 households (37.0%) were one person and 28 (14.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34. There were 100 families (52.1% of households); the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 112 people (24.9%) under the age of 18, 31 people (6.9%) aged 18 to 24, 116 people (25.8%) aged 25 to 44, 132 people (29.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 58 people (12.9%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

There were 225 housing units at an average density of 166.7 per square mile, of the occupied units 87 (45.3%) were owner-occupied and 105 (54.7%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%. 189 people (42.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 260 people (57.9%) lived in rental housing units.

At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $27,083, and the median family income was $32,885. Males had a median income of $21,042 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,591. About 24.1% of families and 26.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}

The city has three high schools: Point Arena High School, South Coast Continuation High School, and the Pacific Community Charter High School. Students are allowed to cross-enroll and take courses at both the Point Arena High and Charter High schools, granting Point Arena students access to a broad curriculum from which to choose. Several feeder schools bring students through grammar school before sending them to Point Arena High School or the Charter School, meaning that the schools draw from a large pool of students in southern Mendocino and northern Sonoma counties.

Point Arena is governed by an elected five-member city council which includes the mayor.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityofpointarena.net/#!city--council/cg4s |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112605/http://www.cityofpointarena.net/#!city--council/cg4s |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title = City Council|publisher=City of Point Arena |access-date=March 27, 2015}}

In the state legislature, Point Arena is in {{Representative|casd|2|fmt=sdistrict}},{{cite web |url=http://senate.ca.gov/senators |title=Senators |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=State of California}} and {{Representative|caad|2|fmt=adistrict}}.{{cite web |url=http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers |title=Members Assembly |access-date=March 2, 2013 |publisher=State of California}}

Federally, Point Arena is in {{Representative|cacd|2|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|2|access-date=March 1, 2013}}

• Point Arena Hot Springs

{{reflist}}

{{wikivoyage|Point Arena}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Cities of Mendocino County, California}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:Populated coastal places in California

Category:Cities in Mendocino County, California