City Of Ukiah

City History:

In 1856, Ukiah's first settler, Samuel Lowry, built a log cabin on the southwest corner of Perkins and Main Streets. Since then, many more settlers made their homes in the Ukiah Valley.

Mendocino County originally covered several Mexican Land Grants known as the Sanel or Felix Grant, the Yokayo Grant, and the Grant del Norte or Garcia Grant. In 1850, by an act of the California Legislature, Mendocino County became part of Sonoma County. In 1859 a separate county government was established.

Ukiah was located in the Yokayo Grant. The word Yokayo comes from the Indian word meaning "deep valley".

Ukiah CourthouseThe city's first hotel was built in 1858 by Harrison Standley, who was also Ukiah's first postmaster. The hotel was on the southwest corner of Main and Standley streets. In 1860, at a cost of $9,000, a brick courthouse was constructed where the present day courthouse still stands.