Excellent article by Dr. D.L. Thornbury on the life of U.S. Grant during his stay at Fort Humboldt from near the end of October 1853 to the time he left in March 1854. Fort Humboldt was founded or began in the winter of 1852 - 1853. There were at least a dozen buildings comprising the Fort. During Grant's stay the Indians were friendly exchanging fruits and meats for flour and hard tack. No military expeditions expeditions away from Humboldt were undertaken while Grant was there. Only a mule trail ran from the Fort to Eureka, passing close to the marsh and along under the bluff to South Park. From there it became a partial road to the waterfront. Broadway and Summer streets are the modern remnants of this old road. In 1854 Eureka experienced a depression in the lumbering and other businesses and the population was diminished down to 400 people. The only streets were 1st and 2nd 3 - 4 blocks long. The timber grew down to the bay edge but the trees nearest the water were scraggly and wind-blown. There were 2 wharves and 3 mills. There were few women to counteract the social atmosphere of the saloons, of which there 3 or 4. One was operated by R.W. Brett on the bank of a small stream that flowed into the bay below the corner of F and 1st Street. There was one church and one general store. Grant hung out at the saloons where he would meet sailors, friends, and new arrivals. There were billiard tables. He ignored the prostitutes. He played cards. One evening he walked to Eureka. The road crossed a slough at 4th & E. The bridge consisted of a log. As it was raining, he slipped and fell into the slough. He went to Brett's saloon dripping wet and dried out. He was accustomed to riding a mule to Eureka. One night when he failed to return to the Fort, they found him asleep in a thicket located where the alley runs alongside where Christ Church is today. He was a frequent guest of Dr. J. Clark, James T. Ryan, Capt. Moloney and the Duffs. He made Duff's place a 2nd army headquarters where he often slept. He used to borrow the Duff's horse which used to ride out into the woods. The usual course was along a corduroy Road to 7th & G where there was a charcoal-making camp. The charcoal was for the blacksmith shop. The tip of Buhne Point has been eroded back over 200' feet since 1853.