The
dominant town serving the southern portion of Lake County is Middletown,
so named because it was midway on the 36-mile stage route from Calistoga
in the south to Lower Lake in the north. Prior to the start of a
town in 1870, the area was known as Middle Station where George Farley
maintained a stage station with a large corral. The site was
chosen because it was at a road junction, one route leading toward Cobb
Mountain and the other leading to Clear Lake. The location was
also near the Greatwestern Quicksilver Mines, which made Middletown an
attractive location for businesses.In 1870 John H. Berry built the first house on the present Middletown town site, which he promptly turned into a hotel for travelers. As the town developed, the north-south thoroughfare took the name Calistoga Avenue, and the principal cross street became Main Street. In 1871 the junction of Main and Calistoga had Oscar Armstrongıs saloon on the NE corner, John Berryıs hotel on the SW corner, a livery stable on the NW corner, and an Odd Fellows Hall on the SE corner.
The Odd Fellows Hall had been moved from the village of Guenoc. In fact, many of the buildings and residents of early Middletown has come from Guenoc village. As Middletown grew, Guenoc died.
In
1871 John Berry sold his hotel to Charles M. Young and saloon keeper,
Oscar Armstrong when he became postmaster of the newly established post
office of Middleton. By 1874, Middletown boasted a population of
207, of which 79 were females and on July 2, 1875, the name of the post
office was changed to Middletown.Middletownıs first store was opened in 1872 by David Lobree, the Wells Fargo agent in town. In 1873 Lobree, replaced Berry as postmaster. Lobree was robbed several times, but when he was shot in the leg he decided to give up the agency, saying he didnıt mind being held up, but he wasnıt going to be shot for Wells Fargo. He carried the bullet in his leg the rest of his life.
On March 3, 1918 a fire destroyed most of the business district. The fires started shortly after noon in the garage of the Spiers Stage Co. from a spark from a vulcanizing machine. The auto stages were saved from the burning building, but high winds from the southwest quickly spread the flames. The townıs firefighting capability was a bucket brigade.
In all, four whole blocks and parts of three others were consumed in the
blaze, with the loss estimated up to $100,000. Very little
insurance was carried on the buildings, and although some of the
contents were saved in advance of the flames, there was considerable
loss of property and goods. Most of the businesses quickly
rebuilt, a testimony to Middletownıs strategic location for good
business prospects and the tenacity of the locals. By July there
was little to be seen of the recent disaster except the continued
building.Today, under clear, smogless skies, where gliders soar and balloons punctuate the sky, Middletown displays an old west charm and serves as a portal to the paradise called Lake County, a scenic land of gleaming water, hot springs, sports adventures, fascinating folklore, geological wonders, glitzy casinos, and celebrity entertainment.
For real estate information in south Lake County including the communities of Cobb and Middletown contact the professionals at CENTURY 21 House of Realty at 21037 Calistoga Street, Middletown, CA 95461; 707/987-8121 or through their e-mail address at info@HouseOfRealty.net
Hidden Valley Lake
Hidden
Valley Lake is a master planned community which was developed by Boise
Cascade Corporation starting in 1968. Single family, custom home lots
comprise 98% of the 3268 properties which were marketed and sold to
public purchasers over the ensuing decade. Located just two hours from
the Bay Area and Sacramento, Hidden Valley Lake (HVL) began as a
predominately second home and retirement community. However,
through the three decades of its history, about 1500 homes have been
built and a more typical blend of younger families, semi-retirees,
retirees and weekenders has emerged. Coyote Valley Elementary School was
opened in 1995 for grades K-6. Coyote Valley now has more than 450
students attending, while another 350 students attend the middle and
high schools in Middletown (six miles south).
The
largest natural freshwater lake completely within California, Clear Lake
attracts anglers, boaters, skiers and swimmers year after year to the
communities of Lake County. In fact, Clear Lake is well-known for its
outdoor recreational opportunities, but many people do not identify the
famous lake with the county in which it is centered.
Pro
and amateur anglers can cast their lines at several "hot
spots" in Clear Lake to catch Florida strain largemouth black bass,
yellow and blue channel catfish, crappie, and bluegill.