Historical site uses & architectural history

ASSESSMENT REPORT
 2.1.15 Historical / Cultural Land Use

(a) Historical site uses & architectural history

The Heartwood area was utilized for sheep ranching in the 1800s until it ceased being profitable. Cattle ranching took over sometime in the early 1900s, however the last sheep ranch switched over to cattle just about (twenty) years ago.

Timber harvesting has played a part in the area since the time of the first white settlers. The larger logging operations occurred during the 1940-1960’s. A dentist from Eureka bought the ranch encompassing Heartwood in the 1950s. The lodge and the surrounding log cabin buildings were built in 1955.

During the early 1970s a group of investors bought the ranch because there were plans for damming the Eel River, which would have resulted in Heartwood becoming lakefront property. This group intended to turn Heartwood into a hunting and fishing resort. The dorms, pool, water infrastructure, septic systems, and airstrip were built at this time. Shortly after, another group of ranchers were able to stop the damming of the Eel. The investor group folded and the ranch was subdivided into 40-acre lots and sold. The property stood empty with only a caretaker for years, until Bruce Burger decided that he wanted to move his school (the original incarnation of Heartwood Institute) out of Santa Cruz.

One major feature at Heartwood, the airstrip, is quite unique in the area. As mentioned the airstrip was built during the 1970s. For a while it was used by a variety of people. However, lack of maintenance has made it hazardous to use for its intended purpose due to potholes, vegetation, and crumbling asphalt.

(b) Extraction history

Minerals

  • Some gravel extracted from north end of airstrip area for road repair (early 1988)

Grazing

  • Cattle & Sheep – prevalent in cleared areas throughout site

Logging

  • Original logging probably 1930s

  • 1950s most recent logging

  • Historically, Wailaki people managed open areas with prescribed burns

(c) Present site uses

  • Residential Healing Arts School

  • Gardening

  • Wildlife Refuge