Down time in downtown Arcata

We decided a day sans automobile was in order today and luckily our accommodation is a ten minute stroll from downtown so given the sun was shining again we headed down on foot.

Arcata was originally known as Union or Union Town and has the distinction of being the first US city to elect a majority of its council members from the Green Party who subsequently capped the number of chain restaurants allowed in the city!

Just before all of the action…

Somewhat unusually in America it has a town square or plaza which is very pretty. Unfortunately while we were deciding which angle to photograph it from, a fight broke out between two women and  the arrival of three police cars, barking dogs (of the four legged variety) and interested onlookers did spoil the ambience just a little – but the architecture is still very nice 😉

Jacoby building

My favourite was the Jacoby Building, commonly known as Jacoby’s Storehouse, on the Plaza in Arcata, which is one of Humboldt County’s oldest commercial buildings (the first floor dates from 1857), and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. It was very interesting inside as well and had its own ‘greeter.’

Later that day, having been invited to dinner at our hosts next door, we were to learn that the homeless population in this area has increased substantially since marijuana has been legalised in California and there are no longer the illegal work opportunities that existed before. We had been surprised by the number of people on the streets for what is a small basically rural town.

Arcata is also the home of Humboldt State University with a student population equaling half of the towns population.

We found some nice stores, I bought a straw hat and Russell was impressed by the cinema, one of the nations oldest movies only theatres.

I have to admit we both succumbed to a Nanna nap in the afternoon and I’m sure we were much better company for it over dinner  later that evening.

Tomorrow, more exploring north of Arcata.

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