Fortuna (Spanish for “Fortune”; Wiyot: Vutsuwitk Da’l) is a city upon the northeast shore of the Eel River, approximately 9 miles (14 km) from where it enters the Pacific Ocean, and is upon U.S. Route 101 in west-central Humboldt County, California, United States. The population was 12,516 at the 2020 census, up from 11,926 at the 2000 census.

The concurrence was originally called “Slide,” for Slide Hill, in 1874, named for the slide that was a fixture on the northeast side of the Eel River and the southwest allowance of Christian Ridge just to the northwest, near the edge of town. In 1875, the make known was changed to Springville during the construction of the Springville Mill, a lumber mill for the simple redwood forests, named therefore because of the numerous springs in the area. The mill’s owners were Henry Rohner (namesake of next to Rohnerville), Alexander Masson, M. N. Weber and G. F. Gushaw. Springville was originally a company town belonging to the mill, and the few people that resided there anything worked at the mill. By the late 1870s Springville had grown plenty to warrant a read out office, but a town called Springville, California (now allowance of Camarillo, in Ventura County) already existed in the state. The broadcast office was named Slide upon May 24, 1876. In 1884 the residents petitioned the declare legislature for the proclaim Fortuna, Spanish for “fortune” and Latin for “chance,” and by July 3, 1888, the regulate was official. The broadcast was chosen next settlers saw the proximity of the forests, the river and its valley, and the Pacific Ocean, as ideal for enjoying a good quality of life, and felt “fortunate” to conscious there. It is believed that a local minister and real estate agent, desiring to sell lots to newcomers, devised the say as a publicity tool.

Electricity came to Fortuna in 1883 in imitation of W. J. Swortzel and George W. Williams (of Swortzel & Williams), owners of the Springville Mill Company, built a $4,000 capability plant. Some of the local sawmills were already powered by electricity, and by providing knack to the mills, Swortzel and Williams saw the opportunity to also find the child maintenance for inexpensive electric lighting to the townspeople.

The town was incorporated on February 20, 1906, and, because of the Eel River, became known for its agricultural prowess in vegetable crops, berries and fruits, and for the well-ventilated fish from the river. Although agricultural industry was expanding, the lumber industry is what started the town, and would continue as the main source of local income for some period to come.