Historic Humboldt Ghost Town Added to National Register of Historic Places

Falk, a once-thriving logging community in Humboldt County that became a ghost town nearly a century ago, has now been added to the National Register of Historic Places. This recognition from the National Park Service comes after decades of excavation and research by Cal Poly Humboldt’s Cultural Resources Facility (CRF) and Anthropology department, along with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Located in the Headwaters Forest Reserve, the town of Falk is now an archaeological district. The National Register designation officially acknowledges its historical and archaeological significance on local, state, and national levels. Falk joins nearly 60 other sites in Humboldt County, such as Hotel Arcata and parts of Old Town Eureka, that have been similarly honored.

Established in 1884 by entrepreneur Noah Falk, the town was originally a lumber camp and grew to include a post office, cookhouse, school, general store, and a dance hall. At its peak, Falk was home to around 400 people. However, the Great Depression led to the closure of its mill and the town’s eventual abandonment. Today, the forest has reclaimed much of Falk, with only ruins and a restored locomotive barn remaining, which serves as the BLM’s education center.

Cal Poly Humboldt students and faculty, through the CRF, have played a vital role in unearthing Falk’s history. They’ve conducted excavations, cataloged artifacts, and mapped out the town’s remnants, revealing insights into the lives of its former residents. The findings have provided significant hands-on learning opportunities for students, who’ve gained valuable archaeological skills and contributed to preserving the region’s rich history.

“The recognition helps preserve and protect Falk for current and future generations,” says Mark Castro, a Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology instructor. The addition of Falk to the National Register is a testament to ongoing efforts to protect America’s historical resources.