Forestville in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Power Commercial Sawmill

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 28, 2017

1. First Power Commercial Sawmill Marker

Inscription. In 1834, Mariano G. Vallejo's brother-in-law, John B.R. Cooper, constructed California's first known power-operated commercial sawmill. In addition to sawing redwood lumber, the mill and settlement served as a barrier to Russian encroachment from the west. Located 1/3 mile east on Mark West Creek, the water-powered mill was destroyed by flood in the winter of 1840-41.

Erected 1970 by California State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the California Division of Forestry and Forest Products Industries of California. (Marker Number 835.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 38° 29.594′ N, 122° 53.747′ W. Marker is in Forestville, California, in Sonoma County. It is at the intersection of River Road and Mirabel Road, on the left when traveling west on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8691 River Road, Forestville CA 95436, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Wine Country,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Wohler Ranch -- 1856 (approx. one mile away); Walters Ranch Hop Kiln

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(approx. 3.3 miles away); Korbel Station (approx. 3.9 miles away); Shiloh Cemetery (approx. 4.9 miles away); Sturgeon's Mill (approx. 5.6 miles away); a different marker also named Sturgeons Mill (approx. 5.6 miles away); Bank of Guerneville (approx. 5.6 miles away); Guerneville Historical Marker (approx. 5.7 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is located in the Park 'n Ride lot.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 28, 2017

2. First Power Commercial Sawmill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.