In Recognition of
The Fortuna Depot Museum’s 50th Anniversary
June 2026
WHEREAS, the Fortuna depot building was constructed in 1889 by the Eel River and Eureka Railroad; and
WHEREAS, in 1914 the Fortuna depot became part of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, linking Humboldt County with the San Francisco Bay Area; and WHEREAS, in 1974 Fortuna City Council member Beth Rundell led a “save the depot” campaign, and City staff and community volunteers moved the historic building to a new home in Rohner Park; and
WHEREAS, creation of a local history museum in the old depot building was the City of Fortuna’s Bicentennial project, for which Fortuna was named a National Bicentennial Community; and
WHEREAS, since 1975, the all-volunteer Fortuna Historical Commission, appointed by the Fortuna City Council, has served as an advisory board for the museum, for the preservation of the Northwestern Pacific depot building which is a structure of significant historic and architectural worth, and for the administration of the museum which provides reminders of past eras, events, and persons important to the city; and WHEREAS, the Fortuna Depot Museum held its grand opening on July 2, 1976; and
WHEREAS, for fifty years, the Fortuna Depot Museum has served the local community and visitors from around the world;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Johnson, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Fortuna and California, do hereby honor and congratulate the Fortuna Depot Museum and the Fortuna Historical Commission on the occasion of the Depot Museum’s 50th anniversary.
SIGNED this 15
th day of June 2026, at the City of Fortuna, in the State of California, and in witness thereof, the seal of Fortuna.
Mike Johnson,
Mayor, City of Fortuna