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

Dunbar Hardware Store

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 24, 2026

1. Dunbar Hardware Store Marker

Inscription.
City of Sonoma Historic Building

Dunbar Hardware Store
1910

City of Sonoma
Sonoma Valley Rotary

Erected by Sonoma Valley Rotary.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 38° 17.466′ N, 122° 27.459′ W. Marker is in Sonoma, California, in Sonoma County. It is on Broadway south of E Market Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 536 Broadway, Sonoma CA 95476, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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.

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: G.W. Clark Cobbler (a few steps from this marker); J.G. Marcy Plumbers (a few steps from this marker); Southern Pacific Stage Coach 1905 (within shouting distance of this marker); Oddfellow's Hall 1910 (within shouting distance of this marker); Simmons Pharmacy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sonoma Valley Women’s Club (about 300 feet away); Nash-Patton Adobe (about 300 feet away); Boccoli Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonoma.

Regarding Dunbar Hardware Store. The building at 536 Broadway contributes to the Sonoma Plaza Historic District which was originally listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 with a boundary increase in 1992. The 1992 nomination form describes this building as: "A vernacular two-story commercial building, built in 1910, with tin siding formed to look like stone which covers all elevations. There is a pent roof over the second story balcony which has a railing."

Also see . . .
1. NRHP nomination form for Sonoma Plaza Historic District.

Former Dunbar Hardware Store at 536 Broadway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, August 24, 2026

2. Former Dunbar Hardware Store at 536 Broadway

On June 14, 1846, a group of 33 Americans seized Sonoma, major military post, and took prisoner Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Commandante-General [sic] of the Northern Frontier of Alta California and the dominant Mexican figure in the north. After electing William B. Ide as president of their new republic, the Americans raised in the plaza their homemade Bear Flag as the symbol of their independent California. These actions marked the beginning of the Bear Flag Revolt, which preceded receipt of news in California of the official outbreak of war between Mexico and the United States. (Submitted on August 26, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California.)

2. NRHP nomination form for Sonoma Plaza Historic District Boundary Increase. The National Register District increase is along Braodway [sic] and the north side of East Napa Street. The District is essentially a commercial and residential district with relatively few intrusions....The district has undergone minor change but still retains a great deal of integrity from the period of significance (1835-1944). The district contains buildings from the 1830s through the 1930s.

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The district in its past had the look of a small country town center. It essentially still retains that character. (Submitted on August 26, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.