LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lovely Lakeport is Lake County’s seat.
Situated on Clear Lake's western shores at about 1,400 feet, it contains all of the charms of an old town.
Today it is a destination for great scenery, birding, fishing and hiking. It is also loved for its farmer's markets, wineries and boating.
Lakeport was incorporated in 1888. Its historic downtown section qualified as one of California's "Main Street Cities."
A "Main Street City" is one that has received state certification by meeting strict standards through the program, and has also undergone a thorough state application process. Then, the town qualifies for training and research to aid in revitalizing historic commercial districts.
Prior to the pioneers and settlers, California Indians lived and thrived here for thousands of years. In the Lakeport area the Pomo Indians fished, hunted, traded and flourished.
In 1861 when Lake County was organized there were two sites that qualified for the location of our county seat, according to the commissioners.
One was situated where Lakeport is today, but was a tract of land owned by William Forbes. His land was 160 acres and held a small building on First Street, and west of Forbes Street. Because of this, Lakeport was originally known as Forbestown.
William Forbes also built a blacksmith shop as well as a wagon shop. Then, Mr. Forbes informed the commissioners that if they would locate the county seat on his property, he would gift the county an area of 40 acres.
The town was renamed Lakeport in 1861.
According to D.A. Menefee's "Historical and Descriptive Sketchbook of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino" published in 1873, there were about 300 citizens in Lakeport by 1873.
The growing town also housed "six stores, two saloons, two hotels, one livery stable, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one gun shop, one jeweler, three churches, Lodges of the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Good Templar societies and one public school building."
The Lake County Courthouse, now the Historic Courthouse Museum, was constructed in Lakeport in 1870 to 71.
The former courthouse building is now California Historical Landmark No. 897. The historical marker plaque reads, “This brick courthouse, constructed by A. P. Pettit in 1870-71, was one of the few buildings in the vicinity to survive the 1906 earthquake with only minor damage. It served Lake County as a seat of government from 1871 until 1968. Precedent-setting trials on water rights were held here, along with the 'White Cap' murder trial in 1890.”
The county’s first courthouse, at Lakeport burned in 1867, six years after the county of Lake was formed by an act of the Legislature.
Then, all of the records of Lake County were destroyed, with the exception of one of the treasurer’s books, as he had taken it home with him.
The cause of the devastating fire was believed to have been an act of arson. The reasons for this suspicion stem from the debate over the selection of a county seat, but no one could prove this.
Voters had a sizable decision to make with regard to the town that named the county seat. The vote was between Lakeport and Lower Lake.
In 1869 Lower Lake was voted in as county seat, but the election was contested on the grounds that “fraud was practiced at Lower Lake.”
Through an act of the Legislature another vote was held, with the results as follows: Lakeport, 479, and Lower Lake, 404 votes.
With that decision settled, a courthouse and jail could be constructed, so in 1871 the brick structure was begun.
The lovely town of Lakeport is full of historic treasures waiting to be rediscovered. For example, the Landco Building at 199 N. Main St. was built in 1928 and was once the site of the Bank of Italy, and later became the Bank of America in 1930.
But before the bank was constructed this site housed Steven's Saloon and was also the location of one of the first murders in Lakeport.
The beautiful Library Park is the location of the Carnegie Library at 255 Park St.
The Carnegie Library was constructed in 1918, and was home to Lakeport's library until 1985.
The Farmer's Saving Bank at 165 North Main St. was constructed in 1876, making it the second of the two oldest banks in Lakeport. The Bank of Lake, circa 1875, was the earliest bank in Lakeport.
The historic Monroe Building, circa 1888, located at 145 and 149 N. Main St.,, was once a meat market, general store and jewelry store, with its upstairs floors being part of the Farmer's Savings Bank, and also had rooms to rent.
Here is what was written about Lakeport in the book, "History of Lake County 1881”:
"To say that Lakeport is a lovely place but faintly expresses its sweet charms. We might dwell upon its rare beauties for pages and yet it would not – could not all be told. It is situated upon a series of terraced hills, one behind the others, and all overlooking the charming lake which lies at its very feet. Native oaks stand on all sides dispensing their grateful shade, and adding charms to the landscape no other object can do. The houses of the place play hide and seek amid their dense foliage. The air of summer is balmy and soft, and laden with the perfume of fragrant flowers. From the hills of the western portion of the town, a lovely landscape spreads out before the eye. First comes the lake with its placid bosom with scarcely a ripple upon it, then the grand majestic mountains which border it away to the east. What glorious sunsets may be seen from these vantage grounds. The roseate hues of the sinking sun fall in glowing splendor upon the distant mountains. Sometimes this mantle of sunlight is a sheen of gold and purple and mellow tinted blue."
Visit this Web link for the "Historic Lakeport downtown walking guide and map.”
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
Lake County Time Capsule: Lovely Lakeport
- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On