Wandering Lizard
The Redwood Empire

Mendocino County

Elk

Elk is a tiny hamlet situated on the very edge of a high bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The community is located on Highway One between Manchester and Albion. The highway runs right through it. Farm and dairy ranch land surround Elk to the north, east, and south. There are a few small inns, a couple of eateries, a country store, a fine community art gallery, and some small shops offering a melange of gifts, crafts, and antiques. There is no gasoline in Elk but there is an excellent AAA affiliated towing service that operates along much of the North Coast.

A small public parking lot is located just south of the Elk Museum and a trail accessible from the parking lot winds along part of the bluff and down to a beautiful beach with a huge accumulation of driftwood. A selection of excellent picnic sites exist on the bluff and on the beach.

History Note: Elk was founded in 1852 by gold prospector Caleb Greenwood and his four sons. (Locals sometimes refer to the community as Greenwood.) The creek that runs through the southern corner is still named Greenwood Creek.. In its heyday, Elk had a population of about 1,000 people, with 10 hotels, 14 saloons, several dance halls, three general stores, a butcher, creamery, jewelry store, candy store, barber shops, blacksmith shop and a livery stable.

Continue...