Modoc-Statewide County CA Archives History - Books .....Modoc County 1891
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Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of Northern California

MODOC COUNTY.

  This county is named after an Indian tribe that formerly ranged in the
northeastern part of California. Their true name is Moadoc—a name which
originated with the Shasta Indians and means all distant, stranger or hostile
Indians. The name was applied by the whites to this tribe in early days from
hearing the Shastas speak of them. The county is bounded on the north by Oregon,
on the east by Nevada, on the south by Lassen and Shasta counties, and on the
west by Siskiyou County.

  Modoc may be considered a high sage plateau, the plains broken by low ranges
of mountains, the general elevation being over four thousand feet above sea
level. The more elevated mountain range, the Warner, strikes north and south
across the eastern border.

  There are .numerous lakes, which, though covering a large area, are, for the
most part, shallow. Pit River is the only large stream within the county limits.
It has its origin in Goose Lake, on the northern border. A portion of this lake
lies in the State of Oregon. Issuing from its source, the Pit flows in a
southwesterly direction centrally across the county.

  Excepting on the slopes of the Warner Range, before mentioned, where grow
heavy forests of pine and cedar, there is but little timber in Modoc. The
plateau is covered with a variety of wild grasses, which afford good pasturage,
and the stock subsisting thereon are generally in fine condition. In the valleys
good farming land is found. Surprise Valley is the largest in extent, and is
noted for the richness of its soil.

  Mineral springs abound everywhere, for the waters of which medicinal virtues
are claimed.

  The principal towns in the county are: Alturas, the county-seat; Fort Bidwell,
a military post; Cedarville and Adin, the principal mining center; and Eagleville.

  While Modoc may and, no doubt, does contain mineral deposits of many kinds and
of much importance, none of ascertained value has yet been discovered. Many
years ago a number of silver-bearing lodes were located in the mountains, near
Surprise Valley, and some prospecting work done. On one of the locations a
quartz mill was erected, but owing to the remoteness of the place, and, in some
measure, to Indian hostilities, the work of development was tardy, and, when the
mill was destroyed by fire, finally abandoned. The amount of bullion obtained
from the working was inconsiderable, so the extent and value of existing
deposits are left, as yet, undetermined. The settlers in the county have turned
their attention chiefly to farming and stock-raising; mining is nearly
altogether neglected. In Lassen County, just over the southern boundary of
Modoc, quartz mines are being worked. (For further description see Lassen
County.) Modoc's mineral wealth is yet lying dormant, awaiting the awakening
hour of enterprise.

  For an account of the Modoc war see page 55. For State senators representing
this county see page 81, and for Assemblymen see adjoining counties.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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