Seth Kinman was an early settler of Humboldt County, California, a hunter based in Fort Humboldt, a famous chair maker, and a nationally recognized entertainer. He stood over 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and was known for his hunting prowess and his brutality toward bears and Indian warriors. Kinman claimed to have shot a total of over 800 grizzly bears, and, in a single month, over 50 elk. He was also a hotel keeper, saloon keeper, and a musician who performed for President Lincoln on a fiddle made from the skull of a mule.
Carte de visite of Seth Kinman in 1864
Seth Kinman
Drawing of an early hunter's cabin in Humboldt County.
Elkhorn chair presented to President Abraham Lincoln. Photo by Mathew Brady
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park
Fort Humboldt State Historic Park is a California state park, located in Eureka, California, United States. Its displays interpret the former U.S. Army fort, which was staffed from 1853–1870, the interactions between European Americans and Native Americans in roughly the same period, logging equipment and local narrow gauge railroad history of the region. Within the collection, there are trains, logging equipment, including a fully functional Steam Donkey engine, and an authentic Native American dug-out canoe. The Fort overlooks Humboldt Bay from atop a bluff. The North Coast regional headquarters of the California State Parks system is located onsite.
View of Fort Humboldt
Advertisement, The Morning Call (San Francisco), September 1, 1894, page 8
Abandoned building
Redwood log loaded on an early 20th century flatbed railcar, historic logging outdoor museum