[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 14120] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE CITY OF POINT ARENA ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 26, 2008 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Point Arena on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. Located along magnificently rugged headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the west and bordered by redwood forests to the east, California's sixth smallest city (current population 501) is precariously ``surrounded'' by the San Andreas Fault and watched over by the stately Point Arena Lighthouse. Self-described as a ``town of booms and declines'' Point Arena has survived three major fires and fueled a variety of enterprising possibilities. Historical anecdotes trace its heritage from the native Pomos to traders, lumberjacks and sea captains, from oil drillers and bootleggers to hippies and nuclear energy protestors. Prior to 1906, Point Arena was the ``busiest town between San Francisco and Eureka.'' More than 200,000 board feet of lumber came from the town mills. Point Arena was the main shipping port for agricultural products on the south Mendocino coast. After the earthquake in 1906 every brick building collapsed and every chimney and timbered dwelling came down. In the meantime, William Hanon, the editor of the town newspaper, the Point Arena Record, was elected to a term in the state legislature. While there he saw money and services handed out to incorporated cities and wanted Point Arena to get a share. Due to his foresight and persistence tiny Point Arena became incorporated July 6, 1908. By 1910 more than two dozen saloons graced the dirt road next to the headlands overlooking the Pacific. Until 1912 horse-drawn stagecoaches brought visitors and provisions. The main source of supplies, however, was the SS Sea Foam until it sank off the coast in 1931. A fire, started at the Grand Hotel on July 2, 1927, wiped out the town once again. By the 1930s Point Arena was rebuilt and many art deco and arte moderne remnants still stand downtown. Since then roads have been paved and the scenic Coast Highway One turns into Point Arena's Main Street. The pier has been revitalized with restaurants and inns and harbors a small fishing fleet. Main Street sports historic facades, coffee shops, bars and a theater as well as a new public kiosk describing Point Arena's status as a California Coastal National Monument gateway. Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the city of Point Arena for a hundred years of determination and success. I would also like to salute the energetic and conscientious city council, which chose ``Still Crazy After all These Years'' as the motto for its centennial. And for their new colorful city seal featuring the indigenous Point Arena Mountain Beaver. ____________________