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City Of Fort Bragg

416 North Franklin Street
707-961-2823

The area now known as Fort Bragg was home to the Native American Indians, most of who belonged to the Pomo tribe. They were hunter-gatherers who lived close to the land and sea along the northern coast of California. In 1855, an exploration party from the Bureau of Indian Affairs visited the area, as they were looking for a site on which to establish a reservation and, in the spring of 1856, the Mendocino Indian Reservation was established at Noyo. It was 25,000 acres and extended from what is now Simpson Lane to Abalobadiah Creek and east to Bald Hill.

On June 11, 1857, a military post was established on the Mendocino Indian Reservation approximately one and one-half miles north of the Noyo River, with the purpose of maintaining order on the reservation. During the same year, 1857, a mill site was granted on the Noyo River, inside the reservation, to begin what was to become the major industry in Fort Bragg.

The Fort was evacuated in 1859, but was reoccupied for periods during 1860-61 and records show November 23, 1861 to have been the last date on which army units occupied the fort. By 1867, the reservation and military outpost at Fort Bragg were abandoned. In 1885, the Fort Bragg Railroad was founded. On August 5, 1889, Fort Bragg was incorported as a City. The town was laid out much then, as it exists today - with rows of 100x150 foot lots and with alleys.

The Union Lumber Company was incorporated in 1893 by absorbing some of the smaller lumber companies in the area. In 1901, the Union Lumber Company incorporated the National Steamship Company to carry lumber, passengers, and supplies. Fort Bragg's only link to manufactured comforts and staples like sugar and coffee were from delivery by steamship. In 1905, the California Western Railroad was formed and a rail line was available all the way to Willits, where train connections could be made to San Francisco.

The 1906 earthquake resulted in a fire at the mill that threateded the entire city. All brick buildings were damaged, if not destroyed completely and many frame homes were knocked off their piers. The fire burned the entire downtown blocks bordered by Franklin, Redwood, and McPherson Streets, plus the west side of Franklin. Within 12 months following the earthquake, all downtown reconstruction was completed. Ironically, the earthquake brought real prosperity to Fort Bragg as the mills furnished lumber to San Francisco. With the new prosperity, the rail line to Willits was completed and in 1912 the first tourists came to Fort Bragg. By 1916, Fort Bragg had become a popular place to visit - and to settle.

Commercial fishing has also played an important role in the formation of the economic base of the community. Once a major commercial fishing port, Fort Bragg was well known for producing quality fish products that were distributed to major metropolitan markets.

The emergence of the City of Fort Bragg as a diverse residential, recreational, and growing commercial area had begun. Today, Fort Bragg is the service center for a coastal region population of approximately 20,000 residents.


Recent News

City Of Fort Bragg News Otis Johnson Park Cleanup

Members of the public are invited to lend a hand at the Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park for the health of the forest, soil, and water. For a schedule of cleanup dates and further information, please read the press release: 02-15-2023 Otis Johnson…

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City of Fort Bragg: Chief Neil Cervenka Receives Award

Fort Bragg Police Chief Neil Cervenka recently received an award from the Law Enforcement Command College Program. To read the Press Release, please click here: Chief Cervenka Receives Award Click Here For More…

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City Of Fort Bragg - New Year Reflections From Mayor Norvell

New Year Reflections from the Mayor Mayor Bernie Norvell reflects on the City's accomplishments in 2022. To read his New Year Reflections report, please click here: Mayor's Year End Message 2022. Click here for more…

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City Of Fort Bragg News : Water Line Flushing December 27 - 30, 2022

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City To Recognize Outgoing Vice Mayor Morsell-Haye On December 12, 2022

The Fort Bragg City Council will hold a reception on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 5:30 PM at Town Hall, 363 N. Main Street, Fort Bragg, to honor and recognize the City’s Vice Mayor, Jessica Morsell-Haye. Councilmember Morsell-Haye has served…

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City To Recognize Outgoing Vice Mayor Morsell-Haye December 12, 2022

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City Of Fort Bragg - Lighted Truck Parade

The Fort Bragg Police Department would like to announce the annual Lighted Truck Parade will be occurring on Saturday, December 3, 2022 starting at 6:30 PM. During this event, Main Street and Franklin Street will be closed to motorists from Pine…

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City Of Fort Bragg News : Duplicate Water Bills October, 2022

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City Of Fort Bragg News : Visit Fort Bragg Committee Openings

City Seeks Interested Individuals to Serve on Visit Fort Bragg Committee The City is accepting applications to the Visit Fort Bragg Committee from persons interested in promoting and marketing the City of Fort Bragg. To read the Press Release,…

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2 Candidates Drop Out Of City Council Race

Two candidates whose names appear on the November 8, 2022 ballot for Fort Bragg City Council have informed the City's Elections Official that they are bowing out of the race. Richard Garcia, candidate for one of the four-year seats, and Alberto…

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City Of Fort Bragg : C And S Waste Solutions Transfer Station

To read the Notice of Availability of the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and Notice of Public Hearing for the C&S Waste Solutions Transfer Station, please click here: 1280 N Main Street UP…

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City Of Fort Bragg News - Coastal Cleanup 2022 Reminder

Coastal Cleanup Day 2022 Reminder Click on the press release link for details: Press…

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City Of Fort Bragg News Waste Management Resumed Collection Of Containers

Residents of Fort Bragg who were previously serviced by Waste Management (WM) are asked to place WM containers curbside and leave them out and empty until collected. WM anticipates collection of remaining containers will be completed by Friday,…

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City Of Fort Bragg : Coastal Cleanup Day 2022

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City of Fort Bragg News - 2022 Tire Amnesty Save the Date

SAVE THE DATE FREE TIRE DISPOSAL EVENT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 22, 2022 Got unwanted or scrapped tires laying around? The City of Fort Bragg has teamed up once again with Conservation Corps North Bay to hold a FREE one-day tire disposal event! This…

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City Of Fort Bragg : Paul Bunyan Days Weekend

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City Of Fort Bragg : City Council Candidates

Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith was told on August 8, 2022 that she could wait to submit her nomination papers up to the extended deadline of August 17, so she turned them in on Aug 15. However, the extended deadline does not apply to incumbents. To…

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City Of Fort Bragg News Water Disconnections For Nonpayment To Resume In September 2022

Click Here To View The City Of Fort Bragg News Water Disconnections For Nonpayment To Resume In September…

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City Of Fort Bragg - Eleven Candidates to Run for City Council

Eleven City Council Candidates on November Ballot The Mendocino County Elections Office has certified to the sufficiency of nomination papers for 11 candidates to fill three vacant four-year seats and one vacant two-year seat on the Fort Bragg City…

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City Of Fort Bragg - News July 22, 2022

Compost Giveaway, August 5 & 6 at CV Starr Center It's First Come, First Served for free compost on the east side of C.V. Starr Community Center, 300 S. Lincoln Street, on Friday, August 5 from 2 to 7 PM and Saturday, August 6 from 10 AM to 2…

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City of Fort Bragg News Welcome Reception For New Police Chief

Welcome Reception for New Police Chief on July 25 The City of Fort Bragg will host a reception for new Police Chief, Neil Cervenka, on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 4 to 6 PM in the Gazebo at Town Hall and everyone is invited. To read the Press…

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City Of Fort Bragg - Trenching On Walnut And Grove Streets

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City Of Fort Bragg - FG2200765 - Robbery

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City Of Fort Bragg - National Night Out

On Tuesday, August 2 rd, the Fort Bragg Police Department will be hosting our annual National Night Out at Bainbridge Park from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. National Night Out is an ;annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community…

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City Of Fort Bragg - Chief Naulty's Last Day

Our department has overcome several challenges and will continue to serve with compassion, understanding, and righteousness. We have made great strides in updating outdated policies, prioritizing training, and educating ourselves on how to be better…

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City Of Fort Bragg - Positive COVID-19 Test Notification

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City Of Fort Bragg Mayor's Message On Chief Naulty - June 28, 2022

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City Of Fort Bragg - City Hires New Police Chief

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City Of Fort Bragg News - New Police Officers

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City Of Fort Bragg - Bridge Suicide June 8, 2022

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City Of Fort Bragg - City Manager Change and Update - June 16, 2022

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City Of Fort Bragg - Bainbridge Park Wins $25K Grant

Bainbridge Park Grant Entry Selected as Winner in State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program Bainbridge Park has been selected as a winner of a $25,000 grant from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program. The grant will be used for the installation…

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City Of Fort Bragg News Water Line Maintenance Flushing June 13-17

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City Of Fort Bragg - WM's Last Bulky Waste Drop Off Event June 13-24

If you have bulky household items to dispose of, WM will hold its last bulky waste drop off event at Fort Bragg Disposal June 13-24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. To get further details, read the press release here: 06-02-2022 WM Bulky Waste…

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City Of Fort Bragg News - May 25, 2022

Fort Bragg City Council Announces New City Manager - John Ford The Fort Bragg City Council is pleased to announce that John Ford of McKinleyville, California has accepted their offer to serve as Fort Bragg's next City Manager. Mr. Ford's…

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City Of Fort Bragg Driftwood Removal Allowed At Noyo Beach

Driftwood Removal at Noyo Beach You are authorized to hand remove driftwood at Noyo Beach in preparation for this year's Fireworks event. Certain conditions apply regarding driftwood removal, so please be sure to read the Press Release by clicking…

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City of Fort Bragg News - May 16, 2022

Blue Economy Symposium & Learning Festival, May 19-22 Explore the needs and potential for developing a resilient and vibrant blue economy in and around Fort Bragg at this week's Blue Economy Symposium and Learning Festival. To read the latest…

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City Of Fort Bragg -Wastewater Plant Update

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City Of Fort Bragg - Bainbridge Park Grant Entry

Vote for Bainbridge Park Entry in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program Your vote can help make the Bainbridge Park soccer fields a reality. Voting is open April 27 - May 6 in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program. Details about the…

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City Of Fort Bragg : Cure-in-Place Pipe Project Activity - April 4, 200

Update on Cure-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Project Activity More work is being performed on the Cure-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Project, from April 5 through April 14, 2022, at various locations in town. To read the latest Press Release on the CIPP Project…

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City Of Fort Bragg - Message from Mayor Bernie Norvell

Mayor's Message Regarding Dissolution of the Health Care District On April 4, 2022, Mayor Bernie Norvell published a message regarding an exploratory committee to research the idea of dissolution of the Mendocino Coast Health Care District. To read…

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City Of Fort Bragg News - Gang Related Vandalism

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