Gualala, California
| Gualala Wallholla | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
  Gualala | |
| Coordinates: 38°45′57″N 123°31′41″W / 38.76583°N 123.52806°WCoordinates: 38°45′57″N 123°31′41″W / 38.76583°N 123.52806°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Mendocino |
| Elevation[1] | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 2,093 |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 95445 |
| Area code(s) | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-31428 |
| GNIS feature ID | 224701 |
Gualala (formerly, Guadala, Walhalla, and Wallala)[2] is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County in the U.S. state of California.[1] It is located north of The Sea Ranch, and is 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Hopland,[2] at an elevation of 49 feet (15 m).[1] It is located on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Gualala River, on State Route 1. It serves as a commercial center for the surrounding area. Gualala was once a logging town, but tourism is now its central economic activity.
According to the 2010 United States Census, 2,093 people reside in Gualala.[citation needed]
Politics
In the state legislature, Gualala is in the 2nd Senate District and in the 1st Assembly District.
Federally, Gualala is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.[3]
History
"Gualala" was the name given to the site of today's Gualala by the Pomo indigneous people. The name comes from ah kha wa la lee.[4] The literal translation is "coming down water place", or less literally, "riverside," or "where the river meets the sea."[5]
Gualala is located on the Rancho German Mexican land grant received by Ernest Rufus in 1846. The American settlement of Gualala was first established by the construction of a hotel, saloon and a lumber mill in the 1860s. The first post office opened in 1862.[2] Logging the local redwood trees became especially profitable after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, when huge amounts of lumber were needed to rebuild the city.
Marine protected area
The Del Mar Landing State Marine Reserve lies onshore, about two miles south of Gualala. Like an underwater park, this marine protected area helps conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.
Education
Elementary school students are educated at Horicon School in Annapolis, Sonoma County, or Arena Union Elementary in Point Arena. High school students are educated at Point Arena High School.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Gualala
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Quill Driver Books. p. 70. ISBN 9781884995149.
- ↑ "California's 2nd Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.gualala.com
- ↑ Kroeber, Alfred L. (1916), "California place names of Indian origin", University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 12 (2): 31–69.
External links
- Friends of the Gualala River
- Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce
- Gualala, CA Travel Information
- Gualala Arts Center
- Town Website
