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

Fort Ross Defenses

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015

1. Fort Ross Defenses Marker

Inscription. The key to the defense of early frontier forts was the blockhouse. It was from the blockhouse that an attacker could be put under a deadly barrage. In the event that the stockade wall was breached, the defenders could retire to the blockhouse for a last ditch fight. This blockhouse is eight sided, the opposite one is seven sided. For the defense of the fort the Russians brought in 41 cannons of various sizes and origins. They established themselves in such strength that the meager Spanish forces to the south realized they were unable to evict the Russians.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 38° 30.823′ N, 123° 14.604′ W. Marker is near Jenner, California, in Sonoma County. It can be reached from Coast Highway (California Route 1) near Fort Ross Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19005 Coast Highway, Jenner CA 95450, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Russian Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandy Beach Cove (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Ross Chapel (about 300 feet away);

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Fort Ross Cove (about 300 feet away); The Russian Village Site - Sloboda (about 400 feet away); The Native Alaskan Village (about 500 feet away); The Call Family Residence (about 700 feet away); California's First Windmill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jenner.

More about this marker. This marker is located at Fort Ross State Park.

Also see . . . Fort Ross, Block House, Fort Ross, Sonoma County, CA. The Historic American Buildings Survey record for this building. (Submitted on July 17, 2015.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015

2. Fort Ross Defenses Marker

The Seven-sided Blockhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015

3. The Seven-sided Blockhouse

<i>...VIEW FROM NORTH-WEST - Fort Ross, Block House, Fort Ross, Sonoma County, CA</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Sturtevant, February 10, 1934

4. ...VIEW FROM NORTH-WEST - Fort Ross, Block House, Fort Ross, Sonoma County, CA

View of the blockhouse prior to reconstruction. Photo courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on July 17, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.