Editing Eureka, California (section)

===Commercial center===
[[File:Carson Mansion Eureka California.jpg|left|thumb|290px|The [[Carson Mansion]] (1886) in Eureka's [[Old Town Eureka|Old Town]]]]A bustling commercial district with ornate Victorian-style buildings rose in proximity to the waterfront, reflecting the great prosperity experienced during this era. Hundreds of these Victorian homes remain today, of which many are totally restored and a few have always remained in their original elegance and splendor. The representation of these homes in Eureka, grouped with those in nearby [[Arcata]] and the Victorian village of [[Ferndale, California|Ferndale]], are of considerable importance to the overall development of Victorian architecture built in the nation. The magnificent [[Carson Mansion]] on 2nd and M Streets is perhaps the most spectacular Victorian in the nation. The home was built between 1884 and 1886 by renowned 19th-century architects [[Samuel Newsom|Newsom and Newsom]] for [[lumber baron]] William M. Carson. This project was designed to keep mill workers and expert craftsman busy during a slow period in the industry. [[Old Town Eureka]], the original downtown center of this busy city in the 19th century, has been restored and has become a lively arts center.<ref name="Delsol">{{cite news  | last =Delsol  | first =Christine  | title =Northern exposure: Eureka is becoming well known for its Old Town art scene  | newspaper =Orange County Register  | date =April 22, 2007 | url =http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/travel/weekend/abox/article_1662541.php  | access-date =December 9, 2012 | url-status =dead  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090116013520/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/travel/weekend/abox/article_1662541.php  | archive-date =January 16, 2009 | df =mdy-all  }}</ref> The Old Town area has been declared an [[Historic District]] by the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The district is made up of over 150 buildings, which in total represents much of Eureka's original 19th-century core commercial center. This nexus of culture behind the redwood curtain still contains much of its [[Victorian architecture]], which, if not maintained for original use as commercial buildings or homes, have been transformed into scores of unique lodgings, restaurants, and small shops featuring a burgeoning cottage industry of hand-made creations, from glassware to wood-burning stoves, and a large variety of locally created art.
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