Native Sons of the Golden West
The Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West was founded in 1875 by a group of California-born men who wanted to preserve California’s pre-Gold Rush and early statehood history. The central founder of the Native Sons was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which, at the time, it was not uncommon for people to be members of multiple organizations. The Humboldt Parlor No 14 of the Native Sons was established in Eureka in 1894. This group was followed by the Arcata Parlor, which was founded in 1896. There was a Fortuna Parlor at one point in time, as shown by the Fortuna ribbons and ceremonial collars on display, but it is unknown when the group was founded or fell defunct.
The Native Daughters of the Golden West, a women’s auxiliary to the Native Sons, were founded in 1886 and the order arrived in Humboldt County around 1925. It appears that there were two groups of Native Daughters, one in Arcata and one in Eureka, but in the present, only the Arcata group remains.
Across Humboldt County, both the Native Sons and the Native Daughters continue their work today through fundraising, donating money for preservation, and placing plaques at places of California historical relevance. Locations of these plaques include outside of the Pink Lady (pictured above, Cat #: 2006.046.011), the most westerly bar in America in 1890 (the Ferndale Palace Saloon), and a memorial grove located at Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Southern Humboldt.
The Native Daughters of the Golden West, a women’s auxiliary to the Native Sons, were founded in 1886 and the order arrived in Humboldt County around 1925. It appears that there were two groups of Native Daughters, one in Arcata and one in Eureka, but in the present, only the Arcata group remains.
Across Humboldt County, both the Native Sons and the Native Daughters continue their work today through fundraising, donating money for preservation, and placing plaques at places of California historical relevance. Locations of these plaques include outside of the Pink Lady (pictured above, Cat #: 2006.046.011), the most westerly bar in America in 1890 (the Ferndale Palace Saloon), and a memorial grove located at Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Southern Humboldt.
