What’s in a name?  For the city of Fortuna -- history.  Not often do you run into a town with multiple name changes.  In this story, Fortuna started as Slide in 1874, simply named for Slide Hill which was used to move newly felled timber down to be processed.  Today, Slide Hill is Mill Street.  

From there it changed to Springville, named for the Springville Mill built in 1875.  Unfortunately that name was taken when they petitioned for a Post Office in 1876 -- so they reverted back to Slide.

The citizens felt the town needed to be named after what they felt the town brought to the region: Fortune!  It took them 4 years but in 1888 the town was incorporated as Fortuna.  Close to rivers, ocean and forests, it’s an ideal setting for people to visit and settle.  

Today, the name Fortuna still applies -- not only are population and business services growing, but they take their city slogan seriously.  When you arrive you are greeting with “welcome to Sunny Fortuna, the Friendly City”:    and that it is!