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

California's First Windmill

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015

1. California's First Windmill Marker

Caption: (top left) The site of California's first windmill appears on this 1817 "Plan of Fortress Ross.: The windmill was located northwest of the fort in the area of the rise beyond this path.

Inscription. The Russian-American Company grew crops and raised animals at Fort Ross to provide food for their Alaskan Colonies. In 1841, there were two windmills at Fort Ross. Grains, such as wheat, and barley, were ground into flour using millstones.

The Company had three inland farms between Fort Ross and Bodega Bay. However, the cool damp coastal climate and abundance of golfers resulted in insufficient yields. The Company also traded with Spanish and Mexican California to supplement the grain needed for Alaska.

Erected by California State Parks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Windmills series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 38° 30.932′ N, 123° 14.696′ W. Marker is near Jenner, California, in Sonoma County. It can be reached from Coast Highway (State Highway 1) near Fort Ross Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 Village Site - Sloboda (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Fort Ross (about 400 feet away); Fort Ross (about 500 feet away);

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The Call Family Residence (about 600 feet away); The Native Alaskan Village (about 600 feet away); Fort Ross Chapel (about 700 feet away); Sandy Beach Cove (about 700 feet away); re-creating the Fort Ross Windmill (about 800 feet 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.

Reproduction of California's First Windmill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 19, 2015

2. Reproduction of California's First Windmill

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 667 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.