Agua Caliente near Sonoma in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Joseph Hooker's Ranch
The Home of Fighting Joe Hooker
Photographed by Travis Wagner
1. Joseph Hooker's Ranch Marker
This was the home of Fighting Joe Hooker in 1851 to 1858
Then Lieutenant-Colonel U.S.A.
Later a famous general of the Civil War
Placed by the Historic Landmarks Committee Native Sons of the Golden West, 1926
Re-dedicated June 14, 2020
Erected 2020 by Native Sons of the Golden West.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 38° 20.199′ N, 122° 29.589′ W. Marker is near Sonoma, California, in Sonoma County. It is in Agua Caliente. It is on Serres Lane (Highway 12) west of State Route 12, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16060 Highway 12, Sonoma CA 95476, 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Main Building" (approx. 1.6 miles away); Historical Tid-bits about Glen Ellen (approx. 2½ miles away); Charles J. Poppe Building (approx. 2½ miles away); Glen Ellen Cannon (approx. 2½ miles away); The London and Greenlaw Gravesites (approx. 2.6 miles away); Jack and Charmian London (approx. 2.6 miles away); Jack London Historical State Park (approx. 2.9 miles away); Jack London Ranch (approx. 3 miles away).
More about this marker. The marker is located on Serres Lane, just off of Highway 12.
Also see . . .
1. The Pioneers: Joseph Hooker. Glen Ellen Historical Society website entry:
Excerpt:
For more than a decade, after the Mexican American War and before the Civil War, Joseph Hooker was stationed in the Valley of the Moon as a Lieutenant Colonel. One of the younger and few clean-shaven American officers, he was popular(Submitted on November 30, 2024.)with the local senoritas, and developed a reputation for handling his drink and his women.via Permit Sonoma, unknown2. Joseph Hooker's Ranch
Restless to take part in public service he campaigned unsuccessfully for state senate, and eventually settled upon a large section of the Rancho Agua Caliente...
2. work party for the General Joseph Hooker monument (Sonoma County Library). Full photo title: Native Sons of the Golden West at a work party for the General Joseph Hooker monument, in the Valley of the Moon near Sonoma, California, June 19, 1933. Description from the Sonoma County Library:
The Native Sons of the Golden West's journal, the Grizzley Bear, reported in the May 1926 issue that a tour of the Valley of the Moon that month would include "a stop ... at the ranch which was the home of General "Fighting" Joe Hooker. Here the landmarks committee of the Grand Parlor, Joseph R. Knowland chairman, will erect a peramanent marker" (The Grizzly Bear, May 1926, page 80). Hooker's ranch was located three miles north of the City of Sonoma. The monument The NSGW journal, the Grizzly Bear, reported that "[t]he Sonoma County Past Presidents Assembly No. 9 met at Sonoma City June 19 and arranged to do some necessary work at the historic Hooker marker"(The Grizzly Bear, July 1933, page 13). Monument located three miles from Sonoma on Highway 12, dedicated to Major General Joseph Hooker. The bronze plate was stolen during World War II for scrap.(Submitted on November 30, 2024.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2024, by Travis Wagner of Sonoma, California. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 29, 2024, by Travis Wagner of Sonoma, California. 2. submitted on April 9, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings showing its location in context and a photo of the actual house. • Can you help?
