In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the house (built 1875) was the manor house for a 1000 acre sheep and cattle ranch. To the east was the town of DeHaven, population 300, built and owned by the Pollard Lumber Co. To the immediate south was the town of Westport, population 3000, an important shipping port with its two logging chutes (the longest in California).
But life proved too difficult on this part of the coast. The owner of the ranch and manor house moved his cattle further south. The lumber company shut down, and the town was ultimately destroyed by fire. The coastline rocks were too treacherous for ships despite the length of the chutes, and the train bypassed Westport for the (then) small army outpost, Fort Bragg. Westport's church fell off the cliff into the ocean (twice) and most people moved away to find new work.
|
Today, Westport is a quiet village, population 200. The manor house to the north still stands, more beautiful than ever, surrounded by twenty acres of meadows, rolling hills, trees and pastures, all right next to the Pacific Ocean. This is DeHaven Valley Inn. There are numerous sight-seeing opportunities while staying at or traveling to DeHaven Valley Inn. The following ideas are merely a sampling. Mendocino is a wonderful town to explore, with plenty of shops and art galleries. You can also take trails down to the beaches. You might recognize Mendocino as "Cabot Cove" from the TV show "Murder She Wrote". If you enjoy flowers, be sure and visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 2 miles south of Fort Bragg. It has 47 acres of inviting paths through the gardens, some of which lead to spectacular ocean views. Or you might... Go horseback riding at nearby Ricochet Ridge Ranch. Ride the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg through the redwoods to Northspur or Willits. Visit some of the numerous state parks in the area. Travel north to the giant redwoods of Humboldt County, or to the magnificent wilderness of the Lost Coast. |
