Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The St. Francis Bell
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026
1. The St. Francis Bell Marker
Francis Bernardone was born in Assisi, Umbria, Italy is 1181 A.D. He died in 1226 A.D., and was canonized as St. Francis of Assisi by Pope Gregory IX in 1228 A.D.
On September 27, 2000, the bell that now hangs in our tower was blessed in the Piazza Della Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy. The bell was cast by the Marinelli Foundry, the oldest foundry in Italy and producer of bells for the Vatican since the Twelfth Century A.D.
Erected by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 2000.
Location. 38° 26.205′ N, 122° 34.581′ W. Marker is in Santa Rosa, California, in Sonoma County. It is on Pythian Road 0.1 miles north of Sonoma Highway, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Wine Country, in the San Francisco Bay Area, 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: Hood House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chateau St Jean (approx. 1½ miles away); Kenwood Depot (approx. 2.3 miles away); White Sulphur Springs (approx. 5.6 miles away); Sophie Alstrom Mitchell (approx. 5.7 miles away); Glen Ellen Cannon (approx. 5.8 miles away); Charles J. Poppe Building (approx. 5.8 miles away); Historical Tid-bits about Glen Ellen (approx. 5.8 miles away).
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026
2. St. Francis Bell Winery & Vineyard
The marker is located on the other side of the stone wall near the entrance to the tower. The flowering tree is a crepe myrtle, one of many on the property.
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026
3. The St. Francis Bell Marker
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 3, 2026
4. Wine tasting in the courtyard.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
