Is This Sign Obsolete?

By Linda Jo Martin

March 2002 - Happy Camp is still here and the elevation hasn't changed, but how about that population figure? Didn't the recent year-2000 census change that at all?

The US Census Bureau lists Happy Camp in their American Fact Finder section. It is easy to see they have counted 2182 people in this area now... which sounds like a remarkable increase! But look at this carefully. It doesn't really say there's 2182 people in Happy Camp - what it says is there's that number of people in "Happy Camp Census County Division" and that happens to be a large slice of western Siskiyou County, from the county line - east all the way to Scott River. As we know, most of that area is completely unpopulated, but it does include Seiad Valley.

Not only that, but the number 2182 doesn't represent an increase at all. Comparing with the year-1990 census population number of 2876, there's been a decrease in population. This is more what we would expect to find, for as we all know, hundreds of people left Happy Camp when the lumber industry was devastated during the last decade.

Where then, did the 1,110 number come from, and how many people are really living in Happy Camp today? While doing this demograpic study, we discovered the source of the 1,110 number is the 1980 census, twenty-two years out of date! Whether that number counted only people living in Happy Camp, or in the entire Happy Camp Census County Division, we don't know.

To find the number actually living in the area of Happy Camp today, we discovered we can request statistics for the 96039 zip code area. In this area, 1277 people were counted during the year 2000 census, and this is the number that we think should be on the Happy Camp sign. As for how many were here in 1990 - that number could not be found.

Article used courtesy of Happy Camp News

If you're planning a hiking or camping vacation here in the Happy Camp area you'll find plenty of helpful information on the Klamath National Forest website, including current conditions, passes & permits, and maps.

Campgrounds

The Curly Jack Campground is right here in Happy Camp on the south side of the river. Other US Forest Service campgrounds nearby are Sulphur Springs and Norcross fifteen miles south along Elk Creek Road, and West Branch, fifteen miles north on Indian Creek Road.

All these are primitive, so if you need more in the way of comforts you might want to try some of the campgrounds and motels listed in our Business Directory

Location

The Happy Camp District Ranger Station is in the center of Happy Camp at 63822 Highway 96, on the corner right next to Park Way. The phone number there is (530) 493-2243.

Visitors Center

The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce worked together with Forest Service office staff during 2003-2004 to create a new Visitors Center in the Forest Service lobby. The Visitors Center has interpretive displays and information about the region.

Visitors Center display of
Karuk dress and baskets.

Peoples Center

Happy Camp is in the ancestral territory of the Karuk Tribe. The Karuk Tribal headquarters are here in town. The beautiful Peoples Center is open to the public and staffed nearly every day of the year. The center has exhibits showing aspects of the ancient Karuk culture, weekly basketweaving classes, and a well-stocked gift store.

Display at the Karuk People's
Center on Second Avenue.

The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway runs from Yreka to Happy Camp.

The Bigfoot Byway runs from Willow Creek to Happy Camp.

Amerigas
493-5358

Happy Camp Community Services
108 Davis road
493-5106
Box 1128
Happy Camp, CA 96039

Happy Camp Disposal
493-2945
Box 727
Happy Camp, CA 96039

Happy Camp Septic Tank Service
Dan Falkinstein
493-2649

Happy Camp Sanitary District
63804 Hwy 96
Box 378
493-5293
Happy Camp, CA 96039

Happy Camp Fire Protection District
Emergency: 911
P.O.Box 189
Happy Camp, CA 96039

Happy Camp Landfill
493-5335

Happy Camp Ambulance District
Office: 493-2322
Emergency: 911
P.O. Box 596
Happy Camp, CA 96039

Mallard Cablevision
800-451-3029

Pacific Power & Light
1-800-221-7070

Siskiyou Telephone
Office: 468-2222
Internet Info: 467-4357
30 Telco Way
P.O. Box 157
Etna, CA 96027

Steve's Music & Vending Service
842-5359
112 W. Oberlin Rd
Yreka, CA 96097

All Saints Catholic Church
493-2657
Mass Saturday - 10:00 AM
1321 Indian creek Rd, Happy Camp

Assembly of God Church
493-2630
Pastor: Bill Estes
Service Sunday at 10:30 am
727 Indian Meadows, Happy Camp

Baha'i Faith
493-5353

Baptist Fellowship of Happy Camp SBC
Pastor: Dave Welin
493-5235
30 Indian Creek Road

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
493-5366

Good News Clubs (CEF)
493-5248

Summer 5-Day Clubs

Happy Camp Bible Church
493-2222
Pastor: Stan Poeschel
Service Sunday at 11:00 am & 6:00 pm
64301 Second Avenue, Happy Camp

Happy Camp Christian Fellowship
Pastor: Kirk Eadie
493-2944
Worship Sunday at 9:30 am & 5:00 pm
104 Davis Road, Happy Camp

Horse Creek Community Church
Pastor: Jeff Pratt
493-3472
28836 Highway 96, Hamburg

Klamath Kids 493-5543

Klamath Community Gospel Mission
493-5543

Kingdom Hall (Watchtower)
493-2784

Klamath River Valley Christian Women's Club
493-2751

Lighthouse Bible Club
493-2222

Tel a story (CEF)
493-KKID