Mendocino's William Kelley sailed up the North Coast with countys first sawmill - Local News Matters

William Kelley, originally from Canada, arrived in Mendocino in 1852 with the first sawmill, which transformed the local economy. He quickly became a prominent businessman, launching a general store and investing in the first sawmill while acquiring significant land for development. Eliza Kelley, his wife, was instrumental in establishing the community's first church in 1862 and later sought to found a Baptist church. In 1894, William built the Kelley Baptist Church for Eliza, who actively participated as an organist and occasionally preached. The church's congregation grew to 42 members by 1910 and remained active until 1936.

Today, the original church building is home to Corners of the Mouth, a natural food store. The Kelley House Museum preserves the family's history, featuring period furnishings and artifacts. Curator Averee McNear contributes to local history through a weekly column in Mendocino Voice.