Originally known as Slide and later as Springville, Fortuna, California, officially changed its name on July 3, 1888. First known as Slide in 1874 the unincorporated town was known for huge slides northwest of the Rohnerville area where the bowling alley is today.

People came for the gold and stayed for the trees. With the lumber industry booming, the Springville Mill was built — the largest redwood mill at the time. The mill and the fact that the town was home to numerous natural springs, led to the town's new name of Springville in 1875.

Who officially decided on the name Fortuna, meaning fortune, is unknown, but the state legislature made it official in 1888.

Fortuna incorporated onFeb. 20, 1906, the year of the big San Francisco earthquake. Already a thriving community known for its agriculture, fishing and lumber industry, it was the railroad that revolutionized the area. A railroad depot was built in 1891 and by 1914, Fortuna was a regular stop between Eureka and San Francisco. Centrally located and now with a rail line, roads and ocean steamers into nearby Eureka, Fortuna, together with neighboring Rohnerville, began to grow. At one time, connected by wooden sidewalks, Rohnerville and Fortuna shared amenities such as sporting events and Fortuna's movie theatre. Once considered the seat of Humboldt County, Rohnerville succumbed to the prosperity and central location of Fortuna.