Veronda/Falletti Ranch
The City of Cotati was once the Coast
Miwok village of Kota'ti. By 1850,
it became a 17,000-acre ranch set
in the center of Sonoma County's golden
fields. Dr. Thomas Stokes Page and his heirs
ran their ranch until the 1890s when they
laid out a town and a distinctive hexagonal
plaza with streets named after Dr. Page's
sons. That wheel-like plaza earned centrally
located Cotati the title, "The Hub of Sonoma
County.” For many years, Cotati was the
gathering place for hundreds of hardworking
chicken ranchers, who bought up small
farms in the surrounding countryside.This 4.37 acre property is known as Veronda-Falletti Ranch. Its 2008 purchase and long-term protection as public open space, is a partnership between the City of Cotati and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. The Veronda family purchased the property in 1938 and began raising chickens, at one time supporting a flock of nearly 3,000. The long, linear "brooder house” still stands. In 1948, one of the Veronda daughters, Jennie, married Al Falletti. They built the Spanish Colonial style home on what is now a separate
this page online
In 1953, Jennie and Al planted fruit trees, flower gardens, and began raising sheep for meat and wool. Upon City incorporation in 1963, Al was elected to Cotati's first City Council and later served as Mayor. In 2012, the last of the Falletti sheep died. A new flock of sheep was brought in from a local farm and sheep grazing was reestablished. The ranch has been in continual agricultural use for over 100 years and is a distinguished example of local agricultural heritage and family stewardship.
Erected by City of Cotati, Sonoma County Preservation and Open Space District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 38° 19.458′ N, 122° 42.557′ W. Marker is in Cotati, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is at the intersection of El Rancho Drive and East School Street, on the right when traveling north on El Rancho Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cotati CA 94931, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cotati Downtown Plaza (approx. ¼ mile away); Washoe House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Penngrove (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Willow Creek Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
