Nashmead, California

Nashmead
Unincorporated community
Nashmead Location in California Show map of California Nashmead Nashmead (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°49′21″N 123°24′53″W
Country	United States
State	California
County	Mendocino County
Elevation [1]	814 ft (248 m)

Nashmead (formerly, Nash) is an unincorporated community in Mendocino County, California.[1] It is located on the Eel River and Northwestern Pacific Railroad[2] 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southeast of Spyrock,[3] at an elevation of 814 feet (248 m).[1]

Nashmead began as a railroad stop with a store, hotel, and a few vacation cabins.[4] For a time, Nashmead was a transfer point for mail being shipped by rail on the Northwestern Pacific.[5] Nashmead was the site of a suspension bridge across the Eel River for foot traffic, unique for having only a single tower to support the cables.[6] The bridge was constructed in 1939 and was the only means for residents of the nearby Round Valley Indian Reservation to obtain supplies shipped by rail.[7]

A post office operated at Nashmead from 1915 to 1960.[3] The name honors J. Nash, its first postmaster.[3] The name Nashmead was formed from "Nash's Meadows".[3]

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nashmead, California
2. DeLorme California Atlas & Gazetteer (2008) Yarmouth, Maine p.47 ISBN 0-89933-383-4
3. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 112. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
4. Mayer, Lea (February 14, 1999). "Homesteaders stake their claims at Nashmead". Ukiah Daily Journal. Ukiah, CA. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
5. Mayer, Lea (January 17, 1999). "Nashmead post office couldn't be named Nash". Ukiah Daily Journal. Ukiah, CA. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
6. "Lone Nashmead bridge on Eel River where no roads enter". Ukiah Republican Press. Ukiah, CA. September 21, 1949. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
7. "Suspension bridge at Nashmead to be dedicated June 4th". Ukiah Dispatch Democrat. Ukiah, CA. June 2, 1939. Retrieved December 18, 2023.