City of Arcata

Arcata, an Indian word: ar-ka-ta meaning something like "a place to land". Native inhabitants, the Wiyot, lived for millennia along the lower Mad River, on the shores, islands, and streams of Humboldt Bay and along the lower Eel River. Their lifeways were shaped by an exceptional environment of land and waters which generously provided for both their survival and cultural needs. The Wiyot population was estimated at one to two thousand prior to explorers and adventurers discovering these shores and early settlers claiming and developing their land around the bay.