An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, Part 46

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786

USA > California > Sonoma County > An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time > Part 46

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"The Frenchman. Louis Legendre, and Lind-

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

say Carson were the first considerable growers of wheat, Legendre owning and farming the land now occupied by J. W. Calhoun. Ilis method of tilling the soil was rude, but the best then in practice. The plow was an odd imple- ment. consisting of the fork of some oak of the right angle, one prong of which served for the beam, and the other, after being shod with a small piece of iron, served to turn up the virgin soil. Two oxen with a stout piece of timber, bound across their forelicads for a yoke, served as a motive power; one Indian walked before to point out the line of march, while another walked behind and held the single upright stick which served for a handle to guide the plow aright. After the wheat was sown, a limb of a tree or brush was called in to act the part of a harrow, and from this crude tillage Le- gendre reaped from forty to fifty bushels per aere."

Events of a tragic nature have not often dis- turbed the good people of this section. Mc- Knight was the first man who mnet death. In 1852 he had a number of Indians at work get- ting out rails in the field of J. R. Dutton, then abonnding in stately redwoods. Despite the remonstrance of certain persons, he had built his cabin in the line of a huge tree, which was at that time being felled. The chopping of the tree was finished one quiet Sunday morning by the Indians, when it fell upon the cabin in which MeKnight lay asleep and killed him. Louis Legendre, the Frenchman mentioned above, was the second man killed. He had a considerable sum of money in his house, which aroused the cupidity of a Mexican, who murdered him for the booty, and compelled some Indians to bury him in one of his own fields. This Mexi- ean was afterward arrested, but. effeeting his escape, was never caught. Kidd was shot at Mark West in 1864.

WINDSOR. The village of Windsor, situated on the county road leading from Santa Rosa to Healdsburg, being six miles southeast of the lat- ter and nine northwest of the former, is built on a plateau, elevated some fifty feet or more

above the river bottom, and is known locally to all, except the inhabitants, as " Poor Man's Flat." a name applied to that section of country in 1854 by Tom Sewell, a well-known person in those days.

But " Poor Man's Flat " has proved to be one of the best vine and wine producing seetions of the county, and now land that a few years since was considered of little value, is being planted to vines and fruit, and is highly valued.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

This township is one of the garden spots of creation. It is surrounded on the east, sonthì and west by Mendocino Township, and on the north by Cloverdale. It includes 20,674 acres. assessed at $264,340, or 8123 per acre. The total assessmentroll foots np 8484,960. Geyser- ville is the principal town and is a thriving vil- lage situated amid orchards, vineyards and grain fields. The population in 1880 was 543, but at present few wonkl estimate it at less than 1,000. This section has improved as rapidly as any in the county during the past year, and the area in fruit and vines is still to be increased.

This township consists principally of hill and valley lands, the soil of the former about Gey- serville being well adapted to fruit culture, and the growth of wine grapes; indeed, there is every essential in soil and climate for the pro- duction of the best varieties of grapes, stone and sced fruits. During the past few years thousands of acres in that township have been planted to vines and orchards, and the work still gocs on1.

GEYSERVILLE .- This has hitherto been an un- pretentious village, at which passengers for Skaggs' Springs took stage. But its fruit in- dustries will make it a center of importance in the course of time.

REDWOOD TOWNSHIP

Is bounded by Mendocino on the north, Analy on the cast, Bodega on the south and Ocean on the west. It includes what was once the finest Ininbering region in the county, but

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

the land has been and is being rapidly denuded of timber and is being converted into dairy ranches or orchards and vineyards. Near its northern boundary is the Great Western Quick- silver mine, which is one of the richest known. This township contains 28,060 acres, valued at $215,515, or $93 per acre. The total assessed value of all property is $364,540. The only town in this township is Gnerneville. It is thriving. The hills north and west of it are being rapidly settled. Its population in 1880 was 913. Now it is estimated at 1,500.

Heald & Gnerne established a large mill there in 1865. In the winter of 1867, however, the original structure was carried away by the over- flowing of Russian River, therefore they built the present establishment, which has a capacity of prodneing 20,000 feet of Inmber per day, finding a ready sale for most of it within the county, and for the balance in Napa, Lake and San Francisco. The saw-mill is kept running during eight months of the year, it, with the adjacent redwoods, furnishing employment for about fifty men. In connection with the saw- mill, the manufacture of moldings and such- like work is carried on extensively. Belonging to the firm there are 700 aeres of timber land, not to be excelled in California.

In 1886 Colonel J. B. Armstrong built a saw- mill of large capacity about two miles above Guerneville, and has ent a large quantity of lumber.

The chair factory which was established by S. W. Fandre in 1574, passed into the hands of the present proprietors, Florence & Bruner, in 1877. The establishment has a capacity of manufacturing about seventy chairs per day. the machinery being run by an eight-horse- power engine. The timber used in this business is principally mountain and live oak, while the seats are made of rawhide strips. A ready sale is found for this article of furniture throughout the county and vicinity. Amount of capital invested, $2,000.

GUERNEVILLE .- This is the only town in Red- wood Township, and is purely a Inmber mann-

facturing center. It is situated on the Russian River, sixteen iniles northwest of Santa Rosa. and was originally settled by R. B. Lunsford, on May 1. 1860. Connecting with the main line is a branch of the San Francisco & Northern Pacific Railroad which runs from Fulton, and conneets the great central valley of Sonoma Connty with the prolifie timber section. This route, as well as being used for the immense lumber interests, offers an opportunity for tour- ists to visit the redwood trees of Sonoma, which are second only to the large timbers of Calaveras and Mariposa.

Redwood Lodge, No. 281, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was organized April 3, 1879, with the following charter members: Samuel E. Bax- ter, James Pell, Angust Ekburn, William H. Bowier, Charles McBee, Edward Stallard; the original officers being Samuel Baxter, N. G .; William Bowier. V. G .; Edward Stallard, Secretary.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This place of worship was constructed in May, 1875, and dedieated in June of that year. The building is 28 x 44 feet, and was erected at a cost of $1.200.

Christian Church .- This church was organ- ized in the month of July. 1879, the charter members being twenty-six in number.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP,

This may be called the west central township, as it lies between Salt Point and Bodega, and is one of the three which borders upon the Pacific. Its assessed acreage is 45,891, valued at $309,955, or 862 per acre. The assessed value of all property is $474.009. Its popu- lation in 1580 was 675; now it must reach 1,000. Dunean's Mills, for a long time the northern terminns of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, is the most considerable town in the township. Settlements have been made about Russian River Station, Moscow and Tyrone, also points along the railroad. Markham's, a short distance above Duncan's to which the railroad has recently been completed, is a thriv- ing place. Duncan's and Ocean View are

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

favorite places for sportmen. The products of this township are varied and abundant. Lumber ranks first, the dense redwood forests supplying numerous mills, besides posts, pickets, shingles, and wood; next comes the dairy and sheep interest, and close upon these follow potatoes, cereals and fruit. Shut off from the cold winds and fogs of the coast, Austin Creek Valley is being rapidly settled and its capabilities as a fruit producing region are becoming known and appreciated. It is now a favorite summer resort.

The settlement of this township does not date back as far as many others in the county. From the fact that it was so rough and mount- ainous it did not appear to be a very desirable location for a home, and while better places remained to be had for the asking as it were, no one seemed inclined to locate here. It is probable that Henry Austin was abont the first settler in the township. However, the following named gentlemen all eame in abont the same time, 1856, and it is probable that as much lionor is due to one as to another: Hugh Breen, Mr. Jackson, Philip Cranley, John Orr, James Sheri- dan, F. Sheridan, and J. Chenneworth. All these gentlemen took up elaims, and many of them remain there to this day. Mr. Orr chanced to locate his claim where now the beatiful little town of Dunean's Mill is situated, and now has the satisfaction of having seen the dense wilder- ness of thirty-two years ago converted into a coterie of happy homes.

DUNCAN'S MILL .- The establishinent of the site on which the town of Duncan's Mill now stands was the result of a conference between the officers of the North Pacific Coast Railroad and Mr. A. Duncan, the parties most interested. In the spring of 1877 Mr. Duncan moved his mill to its present location, and the railroad con- structed a handsome and durable bridge across Russian River, just below the mill, and erceted the necessary station buildings, and also an en- gine honse. Mr. A. Duncan, and his son, S. M. Dunean, erected elegant residences. The resi- dence of Mr. A. Dunean is especially worthy of note; being situated on an eminence to the

northward of the town it commands a lovely view of the town and adjacent valley. Its rooms are spacious and everything about it has an air of substantial and ornamental utility. In the center of the town stands the Russian River Hotel, a very large and spacious building, having room for the accommodation of a great number of guests. During the summer season this house is more than full of guests, as the town is fast growing into favor as a place of resort. It certainly deserves to be a favorite with the pleasure and health seeker. It lies nestled amid the mountains, on the banks of a most beautiful stream of water. Rambles on the mountain sides and boating upon the stream can be indulged in by the gentler sex, while a broad field for the operations of the Nimrod lies on every side of the town. Communication with the eity is quick and comfortable. The North Paeifie Coast Railroad trains make the round trip to San Francisco and back daily, while on Sundays an excursion train is run from that eity to Duncan's Mill and return.

Brotherhood Lodge, F. & A. M .- Brother- hood Lodge, No. 251, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation, June 8, 1878. The charter inembers were John Orr, Thomas Beacom, Silas D. Ingraham, Samuel Rien, A. II. Heffron, James Sheridan, S. M. Duncan, Charles E. Tib- betts, B. R. Wiltse, A. S. Patterson and Charles F. Roix. The officers, under dispensation, were: John Orr, W. M .; B. R. Wiltse, S. W .; Charles E. Tibbetts, J. W .; Samuel Rien, Treasurer; and S. M. Duncan, Secretary.

Presbyterian Church .- The Duncan's Mill Presbyterian church was organized in June, 1878, with the following names upon the church roll: Mrs. Alexander Duncan, Thomas Beacom. S. M. Duncan, P. Shaw, and William Fleming, Rev. Hugh MeLeod organized the church.

CAZADERO .- Cazadero, the " hunting ground," is the much more appropriately significant name with which the new owner, G. S. Montgomery, Esq., has most happily christened the place lately known as " Ingrams," the terminus of the Northern Pacific Coast Railroad.

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

New cottages have already gone up. others are in process of erection, unsightly surround- ings have been removed, and improved hygienic conditions carefully secured. Besides all these, commodious foot-bridges to span the creeks at convenient intervals, safe bathing and boating pools, created by the construction of necessary dams, and amply provided with bathing houses, tents, platforms, rafts, floats and skiff's, winding ways along hillsides and through dales leading to romantically located rustic wayside arbors, benches and tables for out-door family and party lunches, croquet grounds, lawn tennis courts, swings, and all possible facilities for safe and delightful out-door games are among the additions and improvements already projected and in process of realization.

Surveyors have already laid out a lovely town site affording large choice of most desirable villa sites, very far superior in both beauty and healthfulness to anything to be found along the cold and foggy beaches of the coast. Austin Creek itself sweeps musically by, rippling under the bridge and murmuring over its pebbly bed. New station, telegraph, express and postoffices, new rooms, new dining hall, new stables, new cottages, new busses, and the recent transfer of the terminus of the Great Northern Stage Line to this point, sufficiently indicate the well merited prosperity of this popular resort, and attests the enterprise of the energetic proprietor. Back of the hotel rises Ingram's Knob (900 teet), a capital place to work up a breakfast appetite; in front, across the bridge, you have two other peaks of nearly 600 feet; while an easy ten minutes' walk beyond, up the bank of the Austin, opens the mouth of Minnehaha Creek, presenting the most beautiful succession of tree-sheltered trout pools, gravelly and peb- bly rapids, miniature falls and cascades, and especially of gigantic boulders, inclosing now and then a cool and shady cave, anywhere to be found. Straight up the Austin, five miles, lies Trosper's.

SALT POINT TOWNSHIP.

This is the extreme northwest township, and

extends from Mendocino County and the Gna- lala River on the north to Ocean on the south ; from Mendocino Township on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. This township is rich in historie reminiscences of the time when the Russians endeavored to gain a foothold in this realm of the furtherest west. Its products are mainly lumber, pickets, posts, shingles, etc .. with dairy products. Many small patches fur- nish vegetables, fruits and grapes. In the sum- mer seasons all along the coast are found camp- ers and tourists. The towns are Fort Ross, Seaview, Timber Cove, Salt Point, Fisk's Mill and Fisherman's Bay. At all these points, and a few others, are chutes where vessels are loaded or unloaded. Salt Point Township contains 97,372 aeres, assessed at 8460,047 or $4.75 per acre. The total assessment is $683,492. Its population in 1880 was 875. At that time there was bnt little demand for the products of this section, and the present popu- lation may easily be fixed at 1,000 or more.

The soil of this township is mostly of a clayey nature, owing to the fact that the greater part is situated on the mountain sides. In the val- leys it is a sandy loam. The clayey soil is well adapted to the growing of vines and trees, while the valleys are productive of vegetables, etc. To tell the truth, there is a remarkable sparseness of soil in almost the entire township, except in the small valleys.

The general surface of Salt Point is very rough and broken. There are no valleys of level land worth mentioning as such in the entire township. There are no mountains of promi- nence, yet the entire section is very hilly. Near Fort Ross there is an extended section of level country.

Mr. Forbes, in his reliable " History of Upper California," says that the super-cargo of a Brit- ish ship from India, bound for the coast of Mexico, informed him that, on making the coast of California, they touched at the Ross settle- ment, called La Bodega, which borders on the Spanish territory, or of right belongs to it, and, although the part which the Russians occupy

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

does not compare in fertility with the interior valleys occupied by the Spaniards, yet they found, immediately on their arrival, a present, sent on board by the Russian Governor, of most excellent butter, cheese, fat mutton, and good vegetables-all things most desirable for per- sous arriving from a long voyage.

They soon after proceeded to Monterey, the then capital of Spanish California, where they could find nothing but bull beef. Neither lard, butter, cheese nor vegetables were to be found. " This was," says Mr. Forbes, " in the year 1822, and I am assured by a Mexican officer, lately arrived from Monterey, that the strangers who compose a considerable portion of that town are at this time (1834) actually furnished with but- ter and cheese from the Russian settlement of La Bodega." Sonoma County still maintains its early celebrity as a butter-producing country. Instead, however, of a few tubs shipped to Monterey, its annual income from butter alone is over $1,500.000.

Captain Hull, who visited Ross in one of his voyages, says the Russian Governor sent him a tub of butter, two fat sheep and some milk, and that vegetables were plenty. Ross is still ship- ping butter and cheese, and fat sheep and cattle, and lumber and tan-bark, and a host of other agricultural and forest products. The Russians are no longer there; but the old fort, the work of their hands, still stands, and is owned and oc- enpied by Mr. George Call, who, though not as numerous as his predecessors, the Russians, has a much better title to the soil he tills.

The products of this township are confined al- most exclusively to lumber, shingles, cord-wood, fence-posts, tan-bark, railroad ties and fence pickets. Not enough of anything else is pro- duced, with the exception of dairy products, for home consumption. There are a few extensive dairies and some very extensive stock farms in the township. Fruits, vines and vegetables do well in little patches here and there, where pro- teeted from the fogs and winds, and reached by the warm rays of the sun; outside of this, but little of this nature is grown,

The climate, although the township borders on the ocean, is far different from that of Bode- ga. On the margin of the ocean it is very foggy during a greater portion of the year. The trade winds strike it fair, and of course this makes it very cool during the summer months, and sometimes disagreeably chilly, but a few miles in the interior the climate is as different as it is fifty miles away. The heavy belt of timber which skirts the ocean seems to break the foree and effect of the trade winds, while the fogs are condensed by it to such an extent that but comparitively little ever reaches the valleys a short distance inland. It is conse- quently warm and dry, and withal pleasant and healthful. Mr. Call, who owns the Fort Ross property, and has kept a rain-gauge for many years, reports the annual rain-fall to be about fifty inches.

Among the early settlers of this township may be named Christian F. Ruoff, who located at Stillwater Cove in the fall of 1851. Hle en- tered a tract of government land which lay be- tween the Muniz rancho and Rancho de Hlerman. Ile died a few years later. N. C. Irwin came in 1857, and settled on government land some eight miles to the eastward of Timber Cove. David Hopper and R. Moffett came the same year, and II. Carson, Richard Temple, Gibson, ('lark, Freeman, George Mapes, Ira Mapes, and J. W. McElroy came in 1858. These all settled on the government land back of the grants.

FORT Ross. This is the oldest place in the township, as, in fact, it is in the county; and this whole region has been so fully mentioned elsewhere that there can be but little added. At Fort Ross there is a hotel, saloon, store, blacksmith shop, meat market, post and tele- graph offiee. The postoffice was established May 23, 1877, with George W. Call, Post- master.

TIMBER COVE. Back in the early sixties, Timber Cove was quite a lively place. The Kalkman Brothers were doing a heavy lumber business, The mill was burned in 1864. The

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place is now a mere shipping point for cord- wood. fenee-posts. tan-bark and railroad ties.

STILLWATER COVE. This place is a mere shipping point, having a chute and other conve- niences for loading schooners.

SALT POINT .-- In the spring of 1853 Messrs. Hendy and Donean moved the mill machinery of the old Benicia or BInmedale Saw-mill Com- pany down from the mines, whither they had taken it upon becoming the owners of it, and located at Salt Point. This was doubtless the first steam saw-mill in the township. At this time the mill was small, only having the capae- ity of 5,000 feet per day. In 1854 the engine was enlarged to a sixteen horse-power, and this increased the capacity of the mill to 12,000 feet. While here, Mr. Hendy disposed of his interest to A. Duncan, and the brothers continued to run the mill here till January, 1860. While here, it is estimated that they cut 30,000,000 feet of lumber. In its prime days there was quite a village here, but only a few straggling, half tumbled down shanties are left now to mark the site of the milling village.

FISK's MILL .-- J. C. Fisk came to this place and built a mill in April. 1860. He had for- merly used the machinery in Napa Valley, it being located about eight miles above the city. The mill was steam and had a capacity of 20,- 000 feet per day. It was run here for fourteen years and then moved to Cuffy's Cove. It is estimated that in those fourteen years the enor- mous quantity of 42,000,000 feet of lumber was cut. Mr. Fisk built a ehinte at this place in 1860. Ile disposed of his interest in the mill in 1865 to Fred. Hehnke. The mill is gone and with it all life.

FISHERMAN'S BAV .- This place was first set- tled in 1858, by A. L. Fisk, who erected a store and hotel building, and put both in operation. The first saw- mill was put in operation at this point in 1867, by a firm composed of II. B. Platt and II. A. M. Cook, of San Francisco, known as the Platt Mill Company. The capae- ity of this mill was 30,000 feet per day. It was located near the town, and the building is still

standing, though the machinery is all gone and the tramways all broken up. The Clipper Mill was put in operation in 1869, by Rutherford & Hook. Its capacity was 40,000 feet per day. It. too, has suspended operations. It is doubt- ful whether these mills will ever be put in ope- ration again or not.

Lodges. There is but one lodge of any order in the township, and that is a lodge of U. A. O. D. It is Plantation Lodge No. 32, and is loeat- ed near the " Plantation House," a wayside inn back from Fisk's Mill about three miles. This lodge was organized October 9, 187S. The charter members were, Jos. Luttinger, Benj. F. Warren, Simon Von Arx. August Raditi, D. A. Raymond, Wm. A. Richardson, Chas. Thomp- son, Geo. Decker, Victor Durant, Fred Joerja- son, E. Rule, Herman Tucker, Jno. Caponal, Angelo Cerena, and Peter Eckhardt. The first officers were, P. Eckhardt. N. A .; F. Warren, V. A .; F. Joerjason, Secretary, and J. Luttin- ger, Treasurer. The hall builling was erected in 1878, at an expense of $2,000. It is a very neat building, and the lodge room very cosy.

Wayside Inns. On what is known as the " ridge road," ¿. e., the road which passes along up the coast, a distance of perhaps three miles back from the ocean, and on a sort of a ridge or back-bone of the first range of hills, are situated two wayside inns, one known as Ilenry's Hotel, and the other as the Plantation House. Henry's is situated directly back of Fort Ross, and the Plantation not far from Fisk's Mill. The latter was built in 1871. The present proprietor has a fine pond of tront and carp, which he is culti- vating successfully.

The following exciting narrative of an en- counter with a cinnamon bear in Salt Point Township, will not be devoid of interest. The Petaluma Journal of May 25, 1858, says:

" Mr. David Hopper, who resides on the coast, near Fort Ross, informs ns that he had a spirited little brush with a cinnamon bear on the morning of the 15th inst., while out hunt- ing in the neighborhood of his ranch. Coming upon the tracks of a bear he set his dogs upon

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the trail, and following them up, he soon eame

upon a fine sized cinnamon bear. Without further introdnetion, he raised his rifle and fired. The ball striking the animal in the hind leg, merely broke the limb and served to aronse his bearship's anger. At this stage the dogs closed in, and thinking it a favorable time for the use of his revolver, Mr. Hopper approached and fired his pistol, hoping to eripple the bear by wounding him in the loins. In this he failed, this ball also lodging in his hind leg, and serving but to still further aronse the already infuriated beast. Seizing one of the dogs in his paws, he hurled him a distance of some thirty feet, and then rushed forward at the hunter. As the bear approached, Mr. Hopper aimed a third shot at him, the ball this time grazing the jaw. The pistol now hung fire, and finding that his only hope of safety lay in his hatehet, he drew it from his belt, and pre- pared to meet his antagonist face to face, and hand to hand. With a terrible growl the bear rushed to the conflict. As he approached within reach, the hunter raised the hatchet, and with a cool and collected mind, and a steadfast eye upon the bear, with one powerful sweep he buried the blade deep into the brains of the beast. With a howl of pain, he tottered and rolled over dead at the feet of the hunter. Mr. Hopper, who is an adept at 'corraling these varmints,' he having killed no less than forty within the past twelve months, says he has had many exciting ' bar hunts' in his day, but this last one just lays over them all."

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An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, Part 46

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786