About Mendocino & Lake County

 

Mendocino County is one of the original counties. It was named after Cape Mendocino, although the latter is not within the county boundaries. The name is one of the oldest in the State, appearing on Ortelius' map of 1587.

 

The County Seat is Ukiah. The county population is 86,265.  It was probably named  in honor of Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, 1535 to 15423.

Lake County is home to Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake within California and possibly the oldest lake in North America. Blue Lakes, Lake Pillsbury, and Indian Valley Reservoir are the county's other major bodies of water.

Within Lake County are two incorporated cities, the County seat of Lakeport and Clearlake, the largest city, and the communities of Blue Lakes, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Park, Cobb, Finley, Glenhaven, Hidden Valley Lake, Kelseyville, Loch Lomond, Lower Lake, Lucerne, Middletown, Nice, Spring Valley, Upper Lake, and Witter Springs.

Prayer focus for Mendocino & Lake County:

1. Continued Unity among the Churches & Pastors –Pray that unity leads to strategic action from these groups.
2. Continued  Prayer mobilization in all the cities
3. Blessing upon the all industry and commerce for the fear of God to attend the tourism industry and for godly leaders in governmental offices.  
4. Decrease of crime; especially against women and children: Murder, Teen Pregnancy, Abortion,  Domestic Violence. Youth/Gangs - Pray for a revelation of the Father's Heart and a spirit of adoption for youth using Malachi 4:6.  Pray for the church to engage these youth and families with the transforming gospel.
5. Revival for the Churches and a Spiritual Awakening to Christ in the cities.
6. Decrease in unemployment and the creation of new jobs.  Pray for a release of entrepreneurial energy that leads to the creation of new businesses that are sustainable
7. Pray for Christian marriages to be a witness of life in Christ.  Pray for marriage to be   affirmed and protected in these Counties.
8. Passion for Prayer: Pray God will raise up prayer leaders in these counties.
9. Pray for God to break the power of witchcraft/occultism: Ask God to break the strongholds of occultism/witchcraft through a revelation of His love & salvation to those involved in occult practices, witchcraft, and those involved in Buddhism. Leaders have told me there are many in the foothills involved in Wicca which is a form of witchcraft. I am told there is an interest from some leaders in the area to start interdenominational “healing rooms” for this region. The healing room leaders from Humbolt Co. could be available to assist with this! Pray for God’s guidance and blessing on this. This kind of manifestation of God’s healing Love & Mercy may be just what is needed to change the spiritual atmosphere throughout this whole area.

History Mendocino County

 

Mendocino County was one of California’s original 27 counties, created in 1850 by the State Legislature.  Because of its small population, Mendocino County was administered by the government of Sonoma County until 1859, when the government was established in a small building on Main Street in Ukiah.  County officials moved into the first courthouse at the site bounded by Standley, Perkins, State and Schools streets on January 24, 1860.

Mendocino County derives its name from Cape Mendocino, which lies northward of its northern boundary.  Cape Mendocino was given its name by a famous Spanish navigator of the 16^th century, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo.  Cabrillo discovered it in 1542 while on a voyage of discovery along the Pacific Coast and named it in honor of Don Antonio de Mendoza”, the first Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico), and the patron of the voyageur.

 

Historical notes about Mendocino/ Lake County submitted from Sonoma Leaders. 

 

It was while Mendocino was under the jurisdiction of Sonoma County between 1850 and 1859, that the Native American relocation was begun.  In the period between 1853-54, native Americans from all over the northern part of the state were "driven" into Round Valley, one of two sites in the state set aside for this purpose.  In many cases the Indians were driven with bull whips into Round Valley.  During this same period, history records that whites would travel to the reservation and take women and children to be sold as slaves.  Since the Native Americans were not allowed to testify in a court of law at this time, there was little recourse. 

 

Lake County's Kelseyville High School nickname the "Indians" is not regarded as an honor by local native Americans.  Mr. Kelsey, after repeated run-ins with local Native Americans was killed by a group of Indians who retaliated for their precieved mistreatment.  This prompted a massive response by the local Army detachment which subsequently massacred nearly every man, woman, and child in the villages surrounding the Lake, including many who had nothing to do with the Kelsey killing.  However anyone feels about the nickname of the high school, its use does not appear to  promote good will among the local tribes as reported by local leaders.

 

Disclaimer: This report simply reflects historical facts on record. It does not reflect "the personal opinion or ill will towards historical figures mentioned by this organization. The intent is to bring to focus issues and concerns that need to be addressed in prayer for restoration and healing to take place for those who live on the land in this area. (2 Chron. 7:14).

 

By the way, Ukiah is the home of one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in North America.

 

History Lake County

Clear Lake, the 43,000-acre center of Lake County, is the largest natural lake in California; it may very well be the oldest lake in North America. The area took shape from volcanic action; Clear Lake's current form was created by a landslide which blocked the broad valley's drainage west into the Russian River. The water rose until it found a new outlet, Cache Creek, which drains eastward into the Sacramento River.

Four thousand years before the rise of the Egyptian civilization, the Pomo Indians were hunting, fishing, and collecting plant foods on the shores of Clear Lake. The lake yielded an abundance of fish, as well as tule reeds from which they made clothing, boats, dwellings, and household items. Today, Pomo baskets are widely admired throughout the West.

In the 1850's the first European families found their way to Lake County; the first of these settlers lived near what is now Kelseyville. Farming and ranching grew rapidly and toll roads began climbing over the mountains in the 1860's, bringing settlers in increasing numbers. The Pomo were gradually forced from their traditional homes to rancherias.

Natural mineral springs became immensely popular, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe to "take the waters." Huge resort complexes were built, and enjoying wide fame were Bartlett Springs, Soda Bay Springs, Seigler Springs, Anderson and Adams Springs. Many of these grand resorts were destroyed by fire, and most were not rebuilt.

Lacking roads along the perimeter of Clear Lake, steamers plied the waters connecting visitors to resorts across the lake. Steam boats, and then gas powered boats, became a favored means of transportation and recreation.

Automobiles gradually superseded boats, and it was several decades later that boats regained popularity. Today residents and visitors enjoy canoes, sailboats, fishing boats, speedboats, pontoon boats, and even oarless boat races on the many lakes of Lake County.

Agriculture has continued its role as a mainstay. Lake County's Bartlett pears, walnuts, and wines enjoy wide recognition. Wild rice and kiwifruit are products less significant. Lake County's four wineries have earned more awards per acre than any other per acre area in the world.

Mendocino County