Humboldt Bay Woolen Mill
Also known as: Eureka Woolen Mills; Woolen Mill
Why it's listed
Built in 1900 at the corner of Broadway and Fourteenth Street in Eureka, this two-story woolen mill was put up for a company formed after a San Francisco promoter pitched the idea to local investors. W. J. Little was the contractor, and the mill began limited production in November 1900. The wood-frame building is made almost entirely of native redwood, including laminated redwood walls and beams and redwood decking, and carries Howe trusses over a large open loom floor. Its proportions and details are a vernacular take on Greek Revival. Additions were made in the early 1900s and through the 1920s, including a large drying shed. Wool milling ended in the mid-1940s, after which the building housed various commercial uses. It was listed as the only surviving industrial structure of its type and period in Eureka and as the one major local industry outside fishing and lumbering. Owners planned to restore its historic appearance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is a notable example of turn-of-the-century industrial design using Classical motifs, and the largest and only surviving industrial building of its type and period in Eureka. It was also the area's only major industrial complex not tied to fishing or lumbering, and it was a major part of the regional economy. Its construction uses redwood in ways unique to the Humboldt Bay area.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002182, listed June 25, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1400 Broadway, Eureka |
|---|---|
| County | Humboldt County |
| Listed | June 25, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002182 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1900, altered 1920s) |
| Architect / builder | W. J. Little, Builder (architect unknown, from San Francisco) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular interpretation of Greek Revival / Classical |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied, condition fair; wool milling ended in the mid-1940s and parts were later used commercially. Siding and windows need repair, and the owners plan restoration. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.79382, -124.17748 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002182.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14682409
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.