Cotati in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Veronda/Falletti Ranch
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 8, 2020
1. Veronda/Falletti Ranch Marker
Inscription.
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 parcel north of the original farmhouse.
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. ,
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 parcel north of the original
farmhouse.
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
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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. It 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.
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cotati Downtown Plaza (approx. Ό mile away);
Another marker is no longer nearby. Vallejos Petaluma Adobe (was approx. 2½ miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 706 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
