Modoc County Real Estate

Imagine a land seemingly frozen in time.  A time when the “Wild West” was a mute witness to the countless battles between the Native American Indians and the White Men settling their ancestral lands.  Now, imagine the existence of this land at present – virtually untouched by modernization and urban buildup. 

One needs only to go to the northeasternmost corner of the State of California to witness a county of the said grandeur.  Bounded by the states of Oregon and Nevada in the north and east, respectively, Modoc County has managed to preserve its natural beauty and historic traditions throughout the years.  The county is situated in 3,944 square miles of a very diverse terrain.  Numerous mountains, volcanoes, valleys, cinder cones, pine forests, rivers, lakes, juniper flats, hot springs, and lava caves dot the county’s landscape.  It has a relatively sparse population of 9,524 residents, mainly due to the fact that a large portion of its land is set aside for federal reservations.

Modoc County Information

An act of the California legislature signed by Governor Newton Booth created Modoc County on February 17, 1874.  It took its name from the Modoc tribe, which lived at the Pit River headwaters.  Land for the county was taken from the eastern part of Siskiyou County.  The county seat was placed on Alturas, which, at present, is the only incorporated city in the whole county.

Driving along the county’s highways and by-ways would reveal numerous parks, attractions, and scenic areas spread out through the entirety of the land.  Natural and man-made attractions like the old McCloud Company Logging Town were well preserved, enabling us to have a glimpse of life in the county centuries ago.  Most of its scenic locales are made into wildlife areas, national monuments, trails, national forests, and recreation areas where residents and visitors could enjoy fishing, hunting, camping, and photography all-year round.  Other outdoor activities popular in the county include water and snow skiing, golf, and ice fishing.

Some consider Modoc County as the most rural county in California – a wide disparity from the state known for its bustling metropolis and densely populated cities.  Slogans of the county reflect its nature, some of which are:  “The Last Best Place,” “Where the West Still Lives,” and “California’s Best Kept Secret.”  The county has one of the cheapest real estate in the State of California.  Real estate prices have stayed so low for so long.  While others attribute the low real estate prices to its relative isolation from the other California growth centers, others see this as an opportunity.  For those who are longing for a quiet, calm lifestyle surrounded by the beauty of nature, this is a welcome respite. 

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