Named for Lt. Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, who discovered the Bay of Bodega on October 3, 1775.
Russian settlement originally called Kuskoff, founded by M de Kuskoff.
In 1843 Stephen Smith an American, erected in this vicinity the first . . . — — Map (db m73709) HM
Constructed of redwood in 1859 by New England ship's carpenters on land donated by Jasper O'Farrell, the church has served this coastal community continuously for over a century. Father Louis Rossi was appointed pastor on March 8, 1860, and . . . — — Map (db m78171) HM
Sheriff Samuel Potter donated the land for this public school in 1872. In September of
1873 classes for grades 1 through 8 were held in two large classrooms on the first floor.
The upstairs functioned as a multi-use room and community hall. In . . . — — Map (db m87564) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m80698) HM
Built in 1856 Watson District School is an example of one-room schools in Sonoma County. This is the original site and the school remains in its original condition. It served as a public school for 111 years, longer than any other one-room school in . . . — — Map (db m81126) HM
Discovered in 1602-03 by the expedition of Vizcaíno. It was named by Bodega in his survey of 1775. The harbor was used in 1790 by Colnett and by the Kusov expeditions in 1809 and 1811. The Russian-American company and their Aleut hunters used the . . . — — Map (db m856) HM
The Children's Bell Tower is dedicated to children everywhere. It was inspired by the death of seven-year old Nicholas Green of Bodega Bay who was shot by highway robbers while on vacation with his parents in Italy, on September 29, 1994.
All . . . — — Map (db m87570) HM
The Petrified Forest, dating from the Eocene Period, is the only known example of a petrified forest in California. Its size, scope and variety of petrification is unique in the world. Opalized wood, obsidian, quartz crystal, petrified coral and . . . — — Map (db m102520) HM
The petrified forest, dating from the Eocene Period, is the only known example of a petrified forest in California. Its size, scope and variety of petrification is unique in the world. Opalized wood, obsidian, quartz crystal, petrified coral and . . . — — Map (db m175865) HM
To Commemorate
... The discovery of the petrified forest by "Petrified Charlie" in the year 1870.
... The meeting with Robert Louis Stevenson immortalized in the book, "Silverado Squatters."
... All those others whose lives were devoted to . . . — — Map (db m102524) HM
The "Cloverdale Reveille" is the oldest weekly newspaper continuously published under the same name in the state of California. Founded in the 1870s, and surviving the ups and downs of frontier journalism, the "Cloverdale Reveille" was adjudicated . . . — — Map (db m102479) HM
Gould-Shaw House
Thomas Jefferson Gould, an Indiana born blacksmith, built this house, which has become an important part of the town’s history, in 1862. One of the few surviving examples of Gothic Revival architecture, the house is the oldest . . . — — Map (db m109979) HM
Icaria-Speranza was a utopian community based on the writings of French philosopher Etienne Cabet. In 1881, at Cloverdale, French immigrant families led by the Dehay and Leroux families began their social experiment in cooperative living based on . . . — — Map (db m160857) HM
This property
is listed in the
National Register of Historic Palces
by the United States
Department of the Interior
c. 1880
reg. 90002155 — — Map (db m102480) HM
Here in 1881 Italian Swiss immigrants established an agricultural colony. Choice wines, produced from grape plantings from the old world, soon brought wide acclaim. By 1905, ten gold medals were awarded these wines at international competitions. — — Map (db m102481) HM
Cotati's hexagonal town plan, one of only two such in the United States, was designed during the 1890s by Newton Smyth as an alternative to the traditional grid land planning. The six-sided town plaza was designed for founder Thomas Page, and each . . . — — Map (db m11998) HM
The City of Cotati was once the Coast
Miwok village of Kota'ti. By 1850,
it became a 17,000-acre ranch set
in the center of Sonoma County's golden
fields. Dr. Thomas Stokes Page and his heirs
ran their ranch until the 1890s when they
laid out . . . — — Map (db m152689) HM
Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad Company wooden box cars nos. 100 and 102 (original numbers 66 and 68) were built in the P.&S.R. Petaluma shops in May 1910/ Salvaged at Cotati and restored by Duncans Mills Trading Co. July to Nov. 1982.
North . . . — — Map (db m102508) HM
On 3 August 1877 the Wells Fargo stage from Fort Ross to Duncans Mills was robbed by Black Bart (aka Charles E. Boles, Bolton, T.Z. Spaulding) using his feared command, “Throw down the box!” It was Black Bart’s fourth stage holdup and . . . — — Map (db m80693) HM
"The Main Building" was constructed in 1908 to replace the administration wing that had been severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake.
The building served as the main administration building from 1908 to 1957. It was used as the professional . . . — — Map (db m102558) HM
In 1834, Mariano G. Vallejo's brother-in-law, John B.R. Cooper, constructed California's first known power-operated commercial sawmill. In addition to sawing redwood lumber, the mill and settlement served as a barrier to Russian encroachment from . . . — — Map (db m102484) HM
"Any time you happen up in this part of the country, look us up. We have blankets, grub, and a latchstring alway out." -- Jack London
Jack and Charmian London lived in the Cottage from 1911 to 1916. They often greeted their guests on the . . . — — Map (db m102553) HM
Site of the Poppe
Dry Goods & General Merchandise Store
1883-1937
and
Glen Ellen Post Office
First built of wood in 1883
Destroyed by fire in 1905
Rebuilt of stone with two stories in 1906
Damaged in 1906 Earthquake
Rebuilt with . . . — — Map (db m26468) HM
Eucalyptus were introduced in California before Jack London's time. Pioneer families needed wood, which was in short supply, for many items such as furniture and utility poles. Planting eucalyptus, a fast-growing import from Australia, was believed . . . — — Map (db m102537) HM
In early 1905 through the efforts of General Wagner, this Civil War Era cannon was delivered to Glen Ellen where it was placed in the center of town. It has continuously been recognized as the town marker and as a symbol of community for the town. . . . — — Map (db m24961) HM
Valley of the Moon is a translation of Sonoma Valley's name given by the Pomo and Coast Miwok peoples, the area's original inhabitants.
Many writers and artists have found creativity here. Mary Francis Kennedy (MFK Fisher), excited by the . . . — — Map (db m231586) HM
In the early 1900's, horses were still the main source of power on farms and ranches. They were used for riding, pulling cars, wagons and other heavy farm equipment.
Though he owned about 50 horses, Jack London most prized the beautiful and . . . — — Map (db m102556) HM
Originally built sometime between 1870-1880, this historic winery building was remodled by the Londons into a kitchen, living room and dining area. It was the center of activities for their many frequent guests.
"When we entered the large, . . . — — Map (db m102554) HM
Jack London saw fine, fat cattle in Hawaii living well on spined cactus and wanted to duplicate the success of Hawaiian ranchers. He planted this field with Spineless Prickly Pear Cactus, Opuntia avalon, developed by renowned horticulturalist . . . — — Map (db m102536) HM
To establish a model farm on the land that he loved and desired to preserve for future generations.
Eliza London Shepard, Jack's step-sister and Ranch Superintendent, worked with Charmian for many years after Jack's death maintaining the . . . — — Map (db m102535) HM
This is the "House of Happy Walls", built by Charmian K. London in 1919 in memory of her husband, Jack London, renowned author. Here are housed many of his works and the collection gathered in their travels throughout the world. Charmian's house, . . . — — Map (db m24996) HM
Jack London, noted writer, traveler and lecturer, occupied these premises from 1905 to 1916. Born San Francisco, January 12, 1876, died here November 22, 1916
“The Valley of the Moon” one of his best known books, is descriptive of this valley — — Map (db m176140) HM
London's workers graded the steeper fields before you into stair-steps to prevent erosion. Traveling to Japan and Korea as a war correspondent in 1904, London had seen how well terracing worked.
"What I never been able to understand was why they . . . — — Map (db m102538) HM
The ruins before you are all that remains of Kohler and Frohling Winery's main building. Damaged by the 1906 earthquake, the structure was later converted by the London's into living quarters for their many workers and guests.
Jack's stepsister, . . . — — Map (db m102539) HM
Jack London once remarked to his wife Chairman and his sister Eliza that, “I wouldn’t mind if you laid my ashes on the knoll where the Greenlaw children are buried. And roll over me a red boulder from the ruins of the Big House.”
On November 26, . . . — — Map (db m231580) HM
The graves of the Greenlaw children inspired Jack London to request that his ashes might someday lie next to little David and Lillie.
John and Lillie Greenlaw, Scottish and Irish immigrants, lived on this land in the 1870s. John, a ship builder, . . . — — Map (db m231578) HM
This beautiful Beaux Arts Building was designed by Carl Ingomar Warnecke of the architectural firm Miller and Warnecke in 1921. The Bay Area firm designed residential work, apartment buildings, schools, commercial and civic structures.
Mr. . . . — — Map (db m99576) HM
Historical Marker
Prior to the mid-1800s a vast forest of gigantic redwoods existed in this area The trees towered to heights of over 350 feet and measured from 12 to 14 feet in diameter The density of their foliage was so great that . . . — — Map (db m107151) HM
This was the terminus of the "Fulton-Guerneville" branch of the Northwestern Pacific Railway which began operations on May, 29, 1872.
The purpose of the railway was to replace the slow oxen team method of hauling timber and passengers to San . . . — — Map (db m102507) HM
James B. Armstrong
Colonel James B. Armstrong came to California from Ohio in 1874 as a land investor. He purchased land in these forests, eventually developing a deep appreciation for the redwoods. Witnessing the alarming rate of . . . — — Map (db m107311) HM
Pond Farm was the home and workshop of world-renowned ceramic artist Marguerite Wildenhain until her death in 1985 at 88. Arriving from Europe in 1942, she carved a retreat here, building a home and pottery works to make pots "in solitude in the . . . — — Map (db m198066) HM
First building was Heald's cabin located 150 feet west of this spot. 1852 he built his store and post office 100 feet north of here. City created 1857.
Placed by Yerba Buena Chapter
E Clampus Vitas May 23, 1964 — — Map (db m42518) HM
In 1856, 1500 acres of the 17,892 acre Rancho El Molino were a "gift of love" to Mariano Vallejo's niece Anna Wohler. In the 1880's hops pioneer Raford Peterson purchased the land and built the "The House on the Hill," where his family lived for 100 . . . — — Map (db m159544) HM
This structure served the important hop industry of California’s North Coast Region, once the major hop-growing area in the west. Built in 1905 by a crew of Italian stonemasons, it represents the finest existing example of its type, consisting of . . . — — Map (db m10352) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m85616) HM
Founded 1812 by Russians from Sitka. When Russians withdrew to Alaska, 1841, Captain Sutter bought the improvements and supplies. Acquired by State in 1906 and remaining buildings restored - Greek Orthodox Chapel, Commandants Quarters and Stockade. . . . — — Map (db m68792) HM
This chapel was a part of the settlement founded by the Russians in 1812 and known as Fort Ross. The fort was in the form of a quadrangle, about 300 feet square, inclosed by a redwood wall, with two blockhouses at opposite corners. Fort Ross . . . — — Map (db m92911) HM
site of the
Russian Shipways
This map of Fort Ross dated 1817 shows "Little Rumiantsev Cove" as well as the galiot Rumiantsev., the first ship built on the California coast. Also in the cove area were a number of buildings . . . — — Map (db m85623) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m85610) HM
Russians built California's first windmill at Fort Ross in 1814. The mill ground grain into flour for bread to feed both Settlement Ross and the Russians' Alaskan settlements. While the original structure no longer exists, the historical record . . . — — Map (db m85620) HM
Sandy Beach Cover lies below the fort. The principal port of the settlement was 19 miles to the south at Port Rumiantsev (Bodega Bay), where there was a deep-water anchorage and a warehouse. Russian Navy and Russian-American Company ships . . . — — Map (db m16362) HM
George Washington Call (1829-1907) and his Chilean wife, Mercedes Leiva (1850-1933), bought 2,500 acres including Fort Ross in 1873. While maintaining a house in San Francisco, the family developed a dairy ranch and expanded the transport of local . . . — — Map (db m16357) HM
Native Alaskans, brought to Fort Ross by the Russian-American Company to hunt sea mammals and provide a work force for the colon, established a village on the marine terrace in front of the fort. The neighborhood also included the dwellings of . . . — — Map (db m16361) HM
Across the gulch to the east, a large Russian Orthodox cross marks the site of the settlement's cemetery. In 1990 the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and California State Parks conducted an archaeological investigation of the historic Russian . . . — — Map (db m85607) HM
Most of the inhabitants of Settlement Ross resided outside the fort; only Russian-American Company officials and visitors lived inside. Everyone in the vicinity of Fort Ross worked for the company. Lower-ranking Russian and Creole employees . . . — — Map (db m85614) HM
In the early 1800s, Fort Ross was a thriving international community on the edge of the Spanish frontier. In 1812, the Russian-American Company (RAC) built Fort Ross at Metini, a centuries-old Kashaya village. The Fort had two purposes. The first . . . — — Map (db m115933) HM
Kenwood Depot, originally called South Los Guilucos, was constructed of locally quarried basalt in 1888 at a cost of $11,500. It was the only stone station on the 36.7 mile Northern Pacific Railway line which ran through the Sonoma Valley from Napa . . . — — Map (db m54606) HM
This building originally located 1500 feet east of this location and housing livestock, was built by a pioneer family from this area in the early 1870's. Once part of the historic Bodega Rancho, this land was known as the Rancho Paridiso and later . . . — — Map (db m102496) HM
Freestone House
Historic Landmark
No. 2
County Landmarks Commission
County of Sonoma
This is to certify that the above historic site has been officially designated as a County Landmark by the Sonoma Board of Supervisors on December . . . — — Map (db m80694) HM
Settlement of the area that would become Occidental began in the 1840s. On October 10, 1876, the narrow gauge North Pacific Coast Railroad was completed, and the first passenger train arrived at Howard’s Station, so named for William “Dutch Bill” . . . — — Map (db m219677) HM
This area which has also been known as Penn’s Grove and Penn Grove — uncertainty surrounds the exact origin of the name — was first settled in 1852. With the competition of the San Francisco and North Pacific Coast Railroad in 1870 a . . . — — Map (db m54608) HM
Built by General M.G. Vallejo, 1834–1844, and known as Casa Grande. According to General Vallejo, “building was of immense proportions with different departments for factories and warehouses.” — — Map (db m189450) HM
To the east, at the top of the ridge, sits the landmark “Dos Piedras”, erroneously translated into “two rock”, between which ran the main Indian trail from Bodega Bay to the inland valley and to the Sierra. The rocks also . . . — — Map (db m64810) HM
August Courier columnist and peopleologist. Petaluma's number one booster. Founder of the World Wist Wrestling Championship and numerous other events. Trade mark - He's been photographed with more famous, infamous, usual and unusual people than . . . — — Map (db m85590) HM
Original building
Constructed in 1851
Home to Cases Horseshoeing
and others.
June 24, 2006 Destroyed by fire
Raised again in 2007 by Jeff & Gro
Tomasini & Family
Tomasini, Rex, Ace Hardware
Country Store established 1907 . . . — — Map (db m85593) HM
There was once a large lake in the valley to the east. Early Indian settlers called it Lake Tolay, after their former chief; hence the name Lakeville for the community that developed on this site. The first boat landing was built in 1853. Passengers . . . — — Map (db m199977) HM
The "Old Carnegie Library", begun in 1904, served Petaluma from 1906 until the new library was built in 1976. This first major building by local architect Brainerd Jones is noted for its freestanding dome with stained glass, and use of locally . . . — — Map (db m17580) HM
Petaluma’s railroad station, designed in the Mission Revival style by Southern Pacific Railroad architect D. J. Patterson for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, was built in 1914 to replace the original wooden 1871 station. It consisted of a . . . — — Map (db m219669) HM
The President of the United States of America authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of the Congress the Medal of Honor to
Sergeant Richard A. Penry
United States Army
for conspicuous gallantry and . . . — — Map (db m85588) HM
Today, Stormy's restaurant is one of the oldest roadhouses in the West. Originally constructed in 1854 as Big Valley Inn, it was one of four hotels and stagecoach stops in the town of Bloomfield, which at the time was considered for the Sonoma . . . — — Map (db m110415) HM
The Burdell Building was constructed in 1897 by the Burdell family. At the time of construction, it had the longest continuous frontage of any building in Sonoma County, and would become the hub of the booming poultry and dairy industry, with the . . . — — Map (db m230634) HM
In 1907, Mr. Herman C. Bartelt purchased what was then known as the Willow Brook Hotel from Mrs. Ellen Hayne, widder of William Harvey Hayne, who had purchased the property sometime prior to 1900. It was located at Corona Corners until the city saw . . . — — Map (db m92931) HM
Our mission: "We welcome all to walk with us as we reach out to the community with open hearts, open minds, open doors."
The first Methodist services in Petaluma were held in 1849 and led by Rev. A. J. Heustis. In 1851, Rev. Isaac Owen organized . . . — — Map (db m220118) HM
Petaluma Adobe served as the center for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s 66,000-acre working rancho from 1836-1846. It was once the largest privately owned adobe building in northern California; Vallejo sold the building and surrounding acres in . . . — — Map (db m71981) HM
This building which was built around 1900 has always housed a grocery store. The business was purchased in 1925 by the Volpi family. This grocery store was also a place where one could get a drink during Prohibition. When the local ranchers brought . . . — — Map (db m54609) HM
Located on Spanish grant Roblar de la Miseria. The pioneer hostelry was built by Robert Ayres and served as a stage coach station between Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Bodega during the early days of Sonoma County. — — Map (db m199979) HM
Wilson Elementary School was established in 1863 to serve the ranch families of West Petaluma. In 1908 a larger school was needed. The new school housed 4 or 5 classrooms and an auditorium. A picture of this school, designed by locally famous . . . — — Map (db m78070) HM
The 1905 Comstock House is undergoing a restoration. This house was designed by local architect Brainerd Jones, who also created most of the buildings in Petaluma's historic core as well as the nearby Belvedere.
Jones included may whimsical . . . — — Map (db m102519) HM
This was the site of Rancho Los Guilucos (18,833 acres), granted in 1839 by Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado to John Wilson and his wife, Ramona Carrillo, sister-in-law of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. The house, constructed in 1858 by William . . . — — Map (db m80730) HM
Isaac De Turk came to Santa Rosa from Indiana in 1858. The son of a viticulturist, he was one of the first to appreciate the favorable conditions for growing wine grapes in this area and in 1862 established Belle Mount Vineyards at the foot of . . . — — Map (db m55049) HM
Brothers William H. Lee (born 1854) and Charles E. Lee (born 1856) came to California from Michigan and by the 1880’s had established a successful warehousing and drayage business. The earthquake of 1906, which caused greater damage to Santa Rosa . . . — — Map (db m54780) HM
Luther Burbank was born in Massachusetts on March 7, 1849 and arrived in Santa Rosa in October 1875. In 1884 he purchased four acres surrounding this site as a place for horticultural experiments. Here he lived and worked until his death on April . . . — — Map (db m12590) HM
1881 - In This Garden - 1926
Luther Burbank
wrought with living plants to bring the world greater fertility, wealth and beauty developing new varieties which produced better fruits and more beautiful flowers. — — Map (db m159543) HM
Completed in 1910 at 401 Fifth Street
Designed by James Knox Taylor, FAIA
Moved to this site in 1979
Preservation Architect, Dan Peterson, AIA
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United Staes Department of the . . . — — Map (db m102518) HM
Established in 1854 with the burial of Thompson Mize on Oliver Beaulieu’s property, this cemetery holds the remains of over 5000 citizens hailing from all parts of the United States and various foreign countries. Graves include famous Sonoma County . . . — — Map (db m54767) HM
Hogan Building
Petaluma & Santa Rosa R.R.
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1903 — — Map (db m85927) HM
The California Gold Rush of 1849 and San Francisco's Earthquake of 1906 spurred expansion, rebuilding and extensive timber processing in California.
Sturgeons Mill is a fine example of 1800's steam powered technology, providing lumber for early . . . — — Map (db m102509) HM
In 1913 Wade Sturgeon purchased 1850's sawmill equipment from the Korbel Brothers and operated the mill from 1914 through 1923 on Coleman Valley Road. It was then disassembled and moved seven miles inland by horse-drawn sleds and wagons to its . . . — — Map (db m102497) HM
The gentleman upon this rock is Count Agoston Haraszthy, the Hungarian nobleman who founded Buena Vista Winery in 1857. He is now known as the Father of California Viniculture - as he did more than any other single person to create our remarkably . . . — — Map (db m207724) HM
Erected by General Mariano G. Vallejo about 1840 for the accommodations of emigrants and other travelers. Purchased in Gold Rush Days by Cooper and Spriggs, two retired sea-faring men and operated as hotel and store. Among first hostelries in . . . — — Map (db m15300) HM
Our Press House, the first stone winery building in America,
was built in 1862 from volcanic stone cut out of the solid wall
of the Mayacamas Mountains. Wine was made in this building
the grapes were brought to the front door by . . . — — Map (db m80733) HM
Across this creek, and extending for several miles were the vineyards and home of our Count. In 1857 he had acquired 750 acres from Julius K. Rose, a San Francisco real estate investor for $11,500. The property was wedged between two flanks of the . . . — — Map (db m231504) HM
The Buena Vista Vinicultural Society (BVVS) was established in 1863. It was the first of its kind – a corporation dedicated to expanding and modernizing winemaking. It enabled the continued expansion of Sonoma viticulture and the Buena Vista Winery, . . . — — Map (db m231231) HM
Birthplace of California wine. Founded in 1857 by Colonel Agoston Haraszthy, father of state’s wine industry. Limestone tunnels were dug into the hillside and vineyards were also established. Haraszthy toured Europe in 1861 to gather the cuttings . . . — — Map (db m80732) HM
In 2007, Buena Vista's founder, Agoston Haraszthy de Mokesa (1812-1869) was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintners Hall of Fame. It was a tribute not only to his pioneering vision, but also to those throughout the winery's . . . — — Map (db m231220) HM
Marker One:
Father Junipero Serra: 1713 - 1784
Founder of the Missions of California, this Franciscan priest was the first to bring the grape to California, beginning with the first vineyard planted at Mission San Diego in 1779. His . . . — — Map (db m231450) HM
At the beginning part of the 19th Century, Northern California was a wild land full of Native American tribes. Chief Solano (born Sem-Yeto) was a member of the Suisun tribe, born around 1800. In 1810, he was baptized under the name "Francisco . . . — — Map (db m231448) HM
As an immigrant himself, our Count Haraszthy was a tireless supporter of another immigrant group to America: the Chinese. He believed them to be hard-working and honest. When he began Buena Vista Winery he employed 150 Chinese workmen to do all the . . . — — Map (db m231243) HM
Giovanni Minoggio and Giacomo Mazza, on land purchased from General Mariano Vallejo, built this plumstone building in 1870. When the railroad tracks were extended to Sonoma and the Sonoma train depot built across the street from the Mazza House, the . . . — — Map (db m78904) HM
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