Gem of the Lost Coast: A Narrative History of Shelter Cove

by Mario Machi

History of the northern California town of Shelter Cove, located in what has long been known as the Lost Coast because of the difficulties of access. Illustrated by Tom Machi's drawings and many photographs, a self published attempt to get the stories down in print. There is now a statue of the author overlooking the harbor he loved in the small town of Shelter Cove.

91 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books of extremely local history fascinate me, and since Shelter Cove is about an hour's drive from where I live inland, I have long wondered about the history. Machi was a very well known and well loved guy, part of a family that came into the region after world war II, having visited the area in the 1930's. He paid close attention to the stories of his neighbors and his book collects, as well as he could manage, tales from the time before the European settlers came to what had been a peaceful summer place for the local tribe, who enjoyed the wonders and bounty of the tidepools and other bounty from the ocean and the grassy fields, to the stories of the "old families" who struggled to create a living in this isolated and wind blown but beautiful area.
It is likely only to be of interest to locals, but to locals it is fascinating.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been to Shelter Cove a couple of times now with a friend who owns a home there - it is beautiful and secluded. She lent me this book when I started asking questions about the town's past. This book was very interesting, as it presented the history from the viewpoint of a long-time resident. I enjoyed reading it - it would probably be criticized by "real" historians, but it is a great local attempt at committing local lore to the written page. Gotta say - the California Coastal Commission doesn't come out looking real good - hahaha! I hope I can find my own copy of this some day. Thanks Julie.