Long before Fortuna was known as the "friendly city,"  the unincorporated town was called Slide and later named Springville. In 1874, Fortuna was named Slide because of the huge slides northwest of the Rohnerville area. The town's name was changed to Springville in 1875 due to the construction of the Springville Mill and the fact the town was home to numerous natural springs. Springville was a company-owned town and the few people that resided there all worked for the mill.

By late 1870's. Springville had grown large enough to house a post office. Residents wanted the post office to be named Springville, but there was already a town named Springville in California. On May 24, 1876. the official post office name became Slide. This meant that even though the people lived in Springville. the mail was addressed to the town of Slide.

Then in 1884, the Springville residents sent a petition to the state legislature that asked that the town's name be changed once more to Fortuna. By July 3, 1888, the town and post office were officially named Fortuna. The town quickly grew into its name "fortune" due to its excellent location between the redwood forests, the mighty Pacific Ocean and the lush Eel River Valley.

After Fortuna was incorporated on February 20, 1906, the town established itself as a growing community with a city council, a night watchman and a fire and water committee. The town became known for its agricultural excellence in its vegetable crops, berries and fresh fruits and fish from the Eel River, although it was lumbering that put Fortuna on the map.

In 1891, a railroad depot was built and by late 1914 Fortuna was a regular stop between Eureka and San Francisco. The railroad gave Fortuna a direct link to the rest of the world as it allowed travelers easy access to the area. Trains also became the fastest way for mail to be transported between towns. The railroad revolutionized not only the lumber industry, but also the town itself.

The railroad put Fortuna in a perfect situation by having the rail line into town as well as having local roads to Ferndale and other towns to the north and south. By having connections in every direction, Fortuna began to grow and the other smaller towns in the area began to lose their prestige. People even began to take the train to Fortuna instead of taking ocean steamers to Eureka.

The old railroad depot is now a free museum In Rohner Park that chronicles Fortune's railroad history and its contributions to the town.

Before the development of the railroad, there was another thriving town in the area of present-day Fortuna called Rohnerville. Originally known as Eel River Township, the town was later named Rohnerville in the 1850s after Henry Rohner, one of the town's earliest settlers.

In 1849 when Henry Rohner arrived in the area of Rohnerville, he opened the general store. It did not take long for the town to grow and become a booming Mecca. Much of Fortuna's history began with the neighboring town of Rohnerville.

Rohnerville grew first as a supply stop for those venturing to Trinity County for gold, but then grew to accommodate many businesses and even a college. St. Joseph's College was founded in 1872 and officially closed due to the lack of funding in 1889. St. Joseph's was located near the present- day Rohnerville Airport.

At one time wooden sidewalks connected Rohnerville and Fortuna allowing people to enjoy the amenities of both towns, such as sporting events and Fortuna's movie theater. Rohnerville was once even considered for the seat of Humboldt County, but because the trail was routed past the town to Fortuna so was much of the business and prosperity.

Along with helping to establish Rohnerville, Henry Rohner also donated Fortuna the land for its first city park, but during the late 1800s flooding destroyed the land. Then in the early 1900s Mary Rohner, Rohner's widow, sold the town a total of 52.75 acres of the family's land in three installments, which is now the location of the present-day Rohner Park. Rohner's daughter, Elizabeth Barcus Rohner, sold the third section of land to the city for $1 with the stipulation that the park's name never be changed.

Fortuna was not only known for its location and prosperity but also for the town's events and festivals. One of Fortuna's most well known events is its annual rodeo in July The first rodeo-like event was held in Rohner Park in 1921. Over the years the event grew and by 1929 the sport's popularity was so widespread that the group joined the Rodeo Association of America.

In 1953, the Fortuna spirit was demonstrated when the town hosted a Diamond Jubilee and a spectacular parade. The tradition still holds strong in Fortuna come every July. Present -day Fortuna host a whole array of events such as the spring Daffodil Show, drawing spectators from Oregon to the Bay Area in March, Paddle to the Headwaters canoe race in April, Art & Wine in the Park in June, the Rodeo and Fortuna Redwood Autorama in July, Civil War Days in September, the Apple Harvest Festival in October and the Electric Lighted Parade and Christmas Music Festival in December.

Since Fortuna's first beginnings in the 1800s it has proven its name as the "friendly city" to be true, There is no doubt this name will carry on far into the town's future and fortune.