History of Lake County

Clear Lake

Clear Lake is often described as one of the oldest lakes in North America. Sediment cores drilled by U.S. Geological Survey scientists show the present lake is at least 480,000 years old, and it is the latest in a series of lakes that have filled the basin for roughly 2.5 million years. Mount Konocti, the volcano that dominates the south shore, belongs to the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, and the volcanic soils shape the vineyards and orchards that grew up around it.

First peoples

The Clear Lake basin has been home to the Pomo peoples for more than 10,000 years, and several Pomo tribes remain part of Lake County today. The Lake Miwok and Wappo also lived in and around the basin.

A new county

Settlers arrived in growing numbers from the mid-1800s. Lake County was carved out of neighboring counties in 1861 and named for its many lakes, Clear Lake above all. Commercial pear orchards followed in the late 1800s, and Lake County pears are still grown for the fresh market today.

The spa-resort era

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, travelers came to Lake County to take the waters at its mineral springs and resorts, and the county was sometimes promoted as the Switzerland of America. That tradition of hospitality and rest is still part of the area's identity.

Today

Lakeport remains the county seat. Clearlake is the largest city. Farming, wine, tourism, geothermal power from The Geysers and a growing number of remote workers shape the local economy.

This is a short summary rather than a full history. For authoritative detail, consult the County of Lake and the Lake County Historical Society. See also USGS on Mount Konocti.