Sunday, May 29, 2011
Albion, Mendocino County
Located between the towns of Elk and Mendocino, Albion is a small Mendocino County town that had its start in 1853 with one man, his house, and a saw mill. English sea captain William Richardson was the first inhabitant of the area and the first gentleman to operate a mill on the magnificent Redwood Coast.
Though the mill remained active for three-quarters of a century, the town expanded very little and still boasts only a handful of homes that overlook the Albion River, a small commercial fishing operation, several stores, and a post office. The town is also home to the last wooden bridge in operation along the Coast Highway, the Albion River Bridge, constructed from salvaged wood during World War II. Albion River Campground & Marina offers a unique camping and boating experience for both RV and tent campers. Located south of Mendocino, California on the Albion Cove where the Albion River meets the Pacific Ocean, the campground is one of only two sites on the Mendocino Coast that provides both sheltered river moorage and ocean access. The campground is an annual destination for abalone dive clubs, avid cod and salmon fishing groups, crab lovers, and kayak & canoe enthusiasts.