History of Emandal
A Mountain Home • A Diversified Farm • A Summer Resort
Hearst P.O., Mendocino County, California
In 1908, Em and Al Byrnes moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Hearst in Mendocino County, bringing with them friends and relations wishing to vacation in the backwoods of Mendocino County, along the banks of the Eel River. The place they bought had an old barn, a log cabin and a few other outbuildings. To accommodate all who wanted to be here, they erected tents alongside the first structure to be built after their arrival, their home, including a dining room in which to serve their guests. Remodeled through the years, it is still known as the Dining Room, with a large, airy commercial kitchen behind, office and library above, and basement below. This is also when they built the laundry room, behind the house. It, too, is still used 100 years later and is one of the most beautiful places to wash clothes, ever!
As time went on, Al built a garage, shops, a house for a friend (Pop), the barn and all of the cabins. He built the chairs, tables and benches that are still in the dining room, cabins, and outside areas. All the while, he and Emcreated a vigorous, working farm for themselves and their guests. They grew and harvested hay for raising their meat, cultivated vegetables and fruit; milked the cows; gathered eggs; and did whatever it took to maintain the space for all the folks who loved their place in the country. Electricity was provided by a generator; heat by wood cut principally with handsaws; refrigeration by in a spring-box near the river. Mail was delivered three times a week. It took nearly four hours to get to town.
Mrs. Gray and her son, Clint Bell, took over the roles of "Keepers of the Farm" in 1933.
In 1946, Clive and Jessie Adams purchased Emandal, continuing the tradition of providing peace and plenty for those who came to stay. Their son, Clive, Jr., along with his wife, Tamara, took over the running of Emandal in the early 70s. Tamara is still here today, 100 years after the first guest and five years since the passage of Clive, holding the space for those who still consider Emandal their island of sanity, serenity and joy.
May Emandal be here 100 years hence.
