Why Dogtown Is Called Dogtown: National Park Service Traces Woodville and the 1976 Name Decision

DOGTOWN, Marin County — October 31, 2026. Dogtown’s unusual name is a genuine piece of West Marin history. Its small community along Highway 1 once appeared as Woodville on some maps, but local usage preserved the name Dogtown across generations.

Where did the name come from?

The National Park Service’s Point Reyes place-names history says Dogtown was associated with early timber mills and named for the many dogs accompanying wildlife hunters who gathered in the area. The settlement, a few miles north of Bolinas, was renamed Woodville in 1871, though residents continued using its earlier nickname.

When did the official name change back?

The Park Service reports that the Marin County Board of Supervisors designated Dogtown the official name in 1976. Some historic maps and local records may still use Woodville, an important clue for anyone researching old deeds or oral histories.

Does this refer to the famous Southern California Dogtown?

No. West Marin’s Dogtown is unrelated to the neighborhood nickname associated with the Venice and Santa Monica skateboarding scene. That distinction matters for online searches and local history.

Where can residents find more history?

The Marin County Free Library and the National Park Service maintain historical and community materials. Old maps should be read alongside the county’s current geographical names rather than assumed to describe a different present-day town.

Primary source: National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore, Place Names.

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