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

Running Fence

September 10, 1976

Photographed by Alvis Hendley, October 1, 2004

1. Running Fence Interpretive Marker

Inscription. On September 11, 2001 the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma selected this site to commemorate the contribution of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Their vision, dedication and perseverance made the Running Fence possible. This art project consisted of: 42 months of collaborative efforts with ranch property owners participation, 18 public hearings, 3 sessions of Superior Court, an environmental impact report and the temporary use of the hills, sky, and ocean. Rising from the Pacific Ocean south of Bodega Bay the 18 foot high 24.5 mile long Running Fence ran west to east following the rolling hills of Marin and Sonoma counties to Cotati ridge.

Erected by Regional Parks Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1882.

Location. 38° 21.352′ N, 122° 56.311′ W. Marker is near Bodega, California, in Sonoma County. It is on Bodega Highway, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15538 Bodega Highway, Bodega CA 94922, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Watson School (a few steps from this marker); Freestone House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Potter School Est. 1873 (approx. 1.9 miles away); Church of Saint Teresa of Avila (approx. 2 miles away); Bodega Bay (approx. 2.1 miles away); Christo’s Running Fence (approx. 2.7 miles away); Occidental Union Hotel (approx. 3.6 miles away); Sturgeons Mill (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodega.

More about this marker. This marker is located beside the school at Watson School Historic Park.

Also see . . . Running Fence - Wikipedia. The piece was the subject of a 1978 documentary film Running Fence by Albert and David Maysles.[3] The film includes scenes showing the local response to the project, which ranged from excitement to resentment and active protest. Several Californians including Expressionist painter Byron Randall protested the piece on the grounds of both land infringement and lack of artistic merit; however others appreciated the beauty of the work and in the end the project was completed.

Running Fence Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 5, 2015

2. Running Fence Marker

(Submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Running Fence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sept. 1976

3. Running Fence

Photographed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Sept. 1976

4. Running Fence

Watson School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 5, 2015

5. Watson School

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 704 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 30, 2026, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.