USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 41
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Petaluma Planing Mills .- L. G. Nay & Company, proprietors. These mills were established in the year 1868 by Charles Ormsby, who retained possession of them until 1871 when they passed into the hands of the present owners. The works are situated in East Petaluma, within easy distance of the creek and railroad, and consist of the main mill, forty feet square; engine house, twelve by thirty-six feet; bench room, twelve by eighteen feet ; store house, forty by sixty feet; the machinery being driven by a twenty horse- power engine. The mill possesses all the appliances necessary for the per- forming of general work and the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds, mould- ings, etc., in short, all finishing work required for house-building. The timber used is obtained from the redwoods and San Francisco, which is distributed in the surrounding country in the forms mentioned above, as well as in the shape of fruit boxes of which there are a large number made on the establishment.
CARRIAGE AND WAGON FACTORIES .- William Zartman & Co .- William Zartman was the first to establish a carriage and wagon factory in the city
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of Petaluma, in the year 1852, on the site of the store next to the American Hotel, on Main street, having in partnership with him in the business John Fritsch and James F. Reed. From that position the business was removed to the ground on which the Methodist Church now stands, where they continued until 1865, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Zartman, in the following year, established | imself in his present premises, situated on the corner of Howard street and Western avenue, which occupy two hundred and forty feet on the last and two hundred and twenty feet on the first mentioned thor- oughfares, the whole being divided into blacksmith's, wood, and paint shops, carriage repository, and drying-room. All kinds of wagon and blacksmith's work is made in the establishment, as many as one hundred vehicles being manufactured in one year, at a general yield of some twenty thousand dollars, which are shipped to all parts of the State and Oregon. The shops are replete with all the modern improvements, and give occupation to a dozen men. The elegant and commodious residence of Mr. Zartman adjoins the premises, on the corner of Liberty street and Western avenue, standing in the center of a well-kept lot measuring one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet.
Hopes & Cameron .- The wagon manufacturing works of this firm are situated on the corner of Washington and Keller streets. The business was originally organized in the year 1865 by Fritsch, Stafford & Hopes, which they continued until 1873, when the partnership consisted of Green, Spotswood & Jay; in 1875 it changed to Spotswood & Hopes, and in 1876, the firm became Hopes & Cameron, its present name. The building, which is two stories high, occupies an area of forty by forty feet; on the first floor is the manufacturing department, the second being confined to paint and varnishing works. All kinds of wagons and general vehicles are built upon the premises, which are sold in all parts of the State and county, while there is continuous employment found in the shops for four men. The average amount of business done is in the vicinity of eight thousand dol- lars per annum.
D. W. C. Putnam & Co .- The carriage manufactory of this firm is sit- uated on the corner of Western avenue and Keller street, and was estab- lished in 1874 by D. W. C. Putnam, who carried on the business alone until July 8, 1876, when he was joined by Byron Clark, who is still a member of the firm. They have invested in the business five thousand dollars, make annually irom twenty to thirty vehicles, which they find a ready sale for in this State and Nevada, and give employment to six men on an average.
B. Harter's Carriage Manufactory .- This establishment was organized by the present proprietor in August, 1874, and is situated on the corner of English street and Western avenue. He employs three men on his premises, and manufactures principally agricultural implements, and all
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manner of vehicles, for which he finds a ready sale through this and the adjoining counties. He employs three men regularly, and does a business of about three thousand dollars annually.
Gwin & Brainard's Saddle Manufactory .- This enterprise was estab- lished in 1867. These gentlemen had formerly been engaged in this busi- ness, but in the above year entered into partnership and commenced under the above firm. They manufacture all kinds of saddlery and harness, which they ship to all parts of California, as well as to Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska, while some of their goods have found a ready sale in South America. The yearly average of work performed by them is, three hundred saddles and two hundred sets of harness, at an approximate value of from twenty to thirty thousand dollars per annum. Employ six hands at the business.
Petaluma Stair-Building and Wood-Turning Manufactory .- This indus- try was established in April, 1879, by David Howell, who continued it until the following August, when he admitted Rodney Burns into partnership, who are now engaged in carrying on the trade with considerable success.
. Barnes' Excelsior Bleaching Soup Manufactory .- To A. J. Kane belongs the honor of first manufacturing soap in Petaluma, which enterprise he commenced in the Fall of 1874. After passing through several different hands the business was purchased in 1877 by A. N. Barnes, who is now carrying on the undertaking with much success, finding a ready sale for his goods throughout the State, his average transactions in the year amount- ing to about four thousand dollars.
Petaluma Steam Marble Works .- This is a branch of industry which was established on January 28, 1878, by John Jacobi and O. C. Thompson. In the month of November of that year the interest of the latter gentleman was purchased by his partner, since when the business has been carried on by Jacobi. The sawing, rubbing and polishing of the marble is all effected by steam power, which is furnished by an engine of eight horse-power, man- ufactured by O. P. Ingram & Bro. of San Francisco, the boiler being by Hall & Kelschaw of that city. Mr. Jacobi does a thriving business of about one thousand six hundred dollars per month; he gives employment in his works to sixteen men; while he has several traveling agents employed who find a ready and increasing sale for his goods in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, and other counties of the State. These marble works are situated on the upper end of Main street, and are well worthy a visit.
Petaluma Tannery .- This branch of industry was established in the city as far back as eighteen years ago. In the year 1861, Messrs. Bailey and Morbee conceived the idea of starting a tannery; this they did, and found some encouragement in their prospects; they continued the business until
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the year 1865, when they sold out to Mr. Prescott, who continued the undertaking till 1874, when it was purchased by Jacob Wick, the present proprietor, who had been from June 1867 up to that year, conducting a like establishment in the lower end of town. The premises are situated on B between Seventh and Eighth streets, and cover an area of two acres. The size of the tannery proper is thirty-two by cighty feet; the currying room is twenty-four by sixty feet, while the building is two stories high, on the upper floor being situated the currying room and beam house. Adjoining the tannery is the engine house of one hundred by thirty-two feet, which contains an engine of sixteen horse-power, employed in rolling and bark- grinding. The vat-room is thirty-two by eighty feet, containing forty- seven vats; situated above them is the drying room, while there are two bark sheds of twenty-two by sixty, and twenty-two by one hundred and twenty feet respectively. The hides brought into this establishment are principally used in the manufacture of sole leather, while the annual con- sumption of bark is about three hundred cords. Employment is found for four men.
Petaluma Foundry .- This foundry is the only one in the city of Petaluma. and was established in 1859 by Charles Cobb, Joseph Whiteman and C. P Hatch. It is situated on Keller, between Washington and English streets, and occupies an area of twenty-five by sixty-five feet, a portion used as the machine shop being twenty-five feet square. The engine and store room is eighteen by thirty-five feet, the former having one Haskin engine of five horse-power, which drives the machinery. The goods manufactured are principally agricultural implements, and Butt's patent fruit-dryer and eanner. The business done annually amounts to between three and four thousand dollars.
Petaluma Brewery .- This brewery was started in the year 1855, by Christ- lich & Erbe, and was the first establishment of the kind in Sonoma county. After some years they were succeeded by Baltz & Schierhold. In 1873, George Roberson, the present proprietor, purchased and has since managed its concerns. They manufacture about twelve hundred barrels of beer in the year, for which they find a ready sale throughout Sonoma, besides transport- ing it to the adjacent counties. The premises are situated on Main street, and are surrounded by pleasant gardens and shady arbors, making it a pleasant resort for those who affect the refreshing beverage of jolly Gam- brinus.
J. Cavanagh's Lumber Yard .- Mr. Cavanagh's lumber yard was estab- lished in the year 1867, and he has since pursued this industry with such success that his yearly business is in the vicinity of one million feet of lumber, besides shingles, pickets, posts, laths, and such like. Redwood, of which he hasalways a considerable stock on hand, is entirely the outturn of
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of Sonoma county, as indeed is nearly all the wood in his possession, save white pine, which he imports from Puget Sound, by way of San Francisco. In former days the first-mentioned class of timber had to be "hauled" by oxen hither ; since the railroad has passed through the district, transportation has been much facilitated, and the twenty-five miles which formerly took as many days to traverse, is now covered in but a very few hours. The district supplied is within a cirele of about sixteen miles, while beyond that line the residents are in the midst of the timber-growing country and help themselves.
HOTELS .- Washington Hotel .- This excellent house is situated on Wash- ington, between Main and Kentucky streets, where it has a prominent position being in close proximity to all the banks, the post office, express ageney and leading newspapers. The building is fifty by one hundred feet in area, the first floor consisting of bar, office, dining-room, kitchen an I the necessary store-rooms, while on the second floor there are thirty first class bed-rooms, all well and confortably furnished. The price of board is two dollars per day.
Cosmopolitan Hotel .- H. Matthews, proprietor. This hotel was built by George Purdy in January, 1866, and completed on the 10th of the following November. It is situated at the foot of Main street on Lots twenty-eight and twenty-nine, it covering an area of sixty-six feet front by eighty feet depth. It is three stories in height, the first floor consisting of parlor, sitting and dining-rooms, besides two others occupied by the family of the pro- prietor, as well as the kitchen, laundry and a large and commodious bar. The two upper stories are divided into forty-six bed-rooms of considerable size and confort, all being well furnished. The building was run as a hotel until 1870 by Purdy, after which it fell into the hands of different persons until 1874 when it was purchased by the present proprietor. Board, five to six dollars per week.
Union Hotel .- This pleasant house of entertainment is situated on Main street, Petaluma, and is a building of two stories in height, the first floor being divided into a bar, office, reading and dining-room, with kitchen and two bed chambers, the upper floor being apportioned into a sitting and sleeping rooms, of which there are nineteen in all, well proportioned and ventilated. As a portion of the hotel, the building known as the Centennial Block has been rented by the proprietors, which affords an increased accom- modation of fifteen pleasant rooms of good size and newly furnished, making them a pleasant residence for families and those who should wish to be rid of the noise of a bar-room. The houses are well lit with gas and fitted with all modern improvements. Price of board, five to six dollars per week. Proprietors, Gercken and Pfau.
Revere House .- This hotel was built by H. Stockdale in the year 1865, and is situated on the corner of Oak and Main streets. The structure,
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which is hard finished throughout, with a well constructed basement of brick, is three stories high and sixty-five by sixty feet in dimensions. On the first floor are the bar, office, billiard and commodious dining rooms, with kitchen and lavatory, while the upper story contains the parlor, sitting and forty bed rooms, all of good size and well ventilated. This building was originally rented by A. Rickar, now of Salinas, Monterey county, but at the end of one year Stockdale took the management into his own hands and continued it until January, 1879, when he handed it over to N. King, the present lessee. Board, five to six dollars per week. In connection with the hotel is a well supplied livery stable managed by V. R. Fuller, a building originaly built by H. Stockdale.
City Hotel .- The original building was thirty-five by fifty feet, and was constructed in Valparaiso, Chili, South America, in the year 1849, and from thence transported to Vallejo, Solano county, during the session of the Legislature in that city in 1852, being there erected by Colonel Veeder, where it would appear to have received the name of the Virginia Hotel. In 1853, when the glories of Vallejo had departed with the Legislature, the gallant Colonel, in search of pastures new, removed his house to Petaluma, and erecting on the corner of the lot, named it the City Hotel. Veeder afterwards sold the property to P. B. Hewlett, who opened it as a lodging -. house and hotel, managing it as such until the year 1862, when it became the property of Doctor William R. Wells, who, in February, 1875, sold the old building to Kelly Tighe, of the Brooklyn Hotel, who has attached it to that house. In 1867, Dr. Wells built an addition of sixty feet on the southwest portion of the structure, while in 1875, when the original building was disposed of, he erected the new part, which gives it now a facade of imposing appearunce, one hundred and thirty-five feet on English street, with a depth of twenty-eight feet. The house is three stories high, while there is an L twenty-five by thirty-seven feet, which is used as a dining- room, contiguous to which is a kitchen, thirty by twenty feet. The entire cost of the building, including street improvements, is thirty-five thousand dollars. The interior economy of the establishment has seen many changes; its present care, however, is in the hands of A. B. Reed, a pattern host.
Two Rock .- This place, which is eight miles from Petaluma, takes its name from two peculiar rocks, that were called by the Californians, Dos Predios, which stood on a point where the Blucher and Balsa de Tomales Ranchos cornered. They were, besides, a landmark on the northwestern boundary of the Laguna de San Antonio or Bojorques raneho. Between these two rocks passed the old Mexican trail from San Rafael to Bodega and Ross, which were referred to far and near by persons when speaking of that seetion. The first to settle in the neighborhood of Two Rock were Samuel Tustin, J. R. Lewis, Charles Purvine, S. M. Martin, James and E.
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Denman. The postoffice, which was established July 17, 1857, with Clark A. Hough as Postmaster, is situated at the junction of the Bloomfield and Tomales roads, nearly a mile and a-half from the two rocks which gives it its name. The farm on which the postoffice is located was first settled by John Sehwobeda, who sold it to Charles Weigand, the present proprietor and postmaster.
There is at the cross-roads a Grange Hall, a Presbyterian church and a blacksmith shop.
Two Rock Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized May 17, 1860, with seventeen charter members, Rev. Thomas Fraser being pastor, and Stephen Fowler, David Morton, Robert Andrews, regularly ordained elders; the trustees at the time being Robert Andrews, Alexander MeKay, David Morrow, Samuel Schuller, Hugh Gaston and George W. Case. The size of the building is thirty-six by forty-six feet, and was erected in 1862. There is a present membership of forty-two, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews being the only remaining charter members. When first organized, the congrega- tion met for service in Keyem and Iowa school-houses.
STONY POINT .- This hamlet is sometimes known by the name of Washoe, so called after the hotel of that name, Stony Point proper being a short distance therefrom. A postoffice was formerly established on the road from Macedonia church to Bloomfield, while the Stony Point House was situated on the farm of P. N. Woodworth, who settled there in 1851. The hotel has, of late, been discontinued, its business, as well as that of the postoffice, having been transferred to the Washoe House, which is still called by the first name. At the Washoe House, which is on one of the roads leading from Petaluma to Bloomfield, as it is also on the west road leading to Santa Rosa, is a hotel, which was built in the year 1859 by Robert Ayres, who kept it for five years, when it was purchased by Isaae Baker, who con- ducted its fortunes for twelve months, and disposed of it to Ayers, who ran it for a like period, and parted with it to Mr. Misner, who, after three years. sold it to Alfred Rickett, when, after four years, it was purchased, on April 12, 1878, by S. F. Lewis, its present proprietor. This was the first and only hostelry ever built in the place. There is also located here a store, carriage manufactory, and the postoffice conducted by Halley & Magoon, and a butcher's shop owned by A. Hasbrouck. A daily stage connecting with Petaluma and Valley Ford passes through the village.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
REDWOOD.
Redwood is in the very heart of the timber country, and is bounded on the north and east by Mendocino township, on the south by Bodega and Analy. and on the west by Ocean. Through its center the Russian river, now expanded to a considerable breadth, finds its tortuous way, while along its banks grow the mightiest of those trees from whence the township took its name. This part of the district is known as the Big Bottom, and here stood the finest timber in the State, for four miles along the line of the stream being covered by a dense growth of these trees, which in the best localities would yield, it is said, lumber to the vast amount of eight hundred thousand feet to the acre. The largest tree in the bottom measured eighteen feet in diameter, and produced one hundred and eighty thousand feet of lumber while the tallest of them was three hundred and forty-four feet nine inches in height. Immediately above the site of the present town of Guerneville, there stood a hollow stump, wherein it was estimated twenty horses could easily stand.
GUERNEVILLE .- This is the only town in Redwood township, and is purely a lumber manufacturing center. It is situated on the Russian river, sixteen miles north-west of Santa Rosa, and was originally settled by R. B. Lunsford, on May 1, 1860. Connecting it with the main line is a branch of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad which runs from Fulton, and connects the great central valley of Sonoma county with the prolific timber section. This route, as well as being used for the immense lumber interests, offers an opportunity for tourists to visit the redwood trees of Sonoma, which are second only to the large timbers of Calaveras and Mariposa.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- This place of worship was constructed in May, 1875, and dedicated in June of that year. The building is twenty-eight by forty-four feet, and was erected at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. There is a present membership of about twenty. while Rev. J. L. Burchard, who preaches twice a month, is pastor.
Christian Church .- This church was organized in the month of July, 1879, the charter members being twenty-six in number; the membership at the present writing being thirty-six. This congregation have as yet no church building of their own; service is therefore held on each Sunday in Independ- ence Hall, by Elder Briggs. In connection with the Christian Church, there is a Sunday School, having an average attendance of from fifty to eighty scholars, under the superintendence of J. M. Martz.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Redwood Lodge No. 281, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was organized April 3, 1879, with the following charter members: Samuel E. Baxter, James Pell, August Ekburn, William H. Bowier, Charles McBee, Edward Stallard; the original officers being Samuel Baxter, N. G .; William Bowier, V. G .; Edward Stallard Secretary. The membership is thirty-six, and the present officers, Samuel Baxter, N. G .; M. A. McPeak, V. G .; N. E. Manning, Secre- tary ; Bradford Bell, Treasurer: Days of meeting, every Friday.
Heald & Guerne's Saw and Planing Mill .- These gentlemen commenced business on the site of their present mill in the year 1865. In the Winter of 1867, however, the original structure was carried away by the overflowing of Russian river, therefore they built their present establishment, which has a capacity of producing twenty thousand feet of lumber 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 mouldings and such-like work is carried on extensively. Belonging to the firm there are seven hundred aeres of timber land, not to be excelled in Cali- fornia. Heald & Guerne have an office in the town of Guerneville, lumber yards at Cloverdale and San Rafael, Marin county, besides having a large shed at Fulton, the point where the railroad leaves the main line for the red- wood country.
Chair Factory .- This industry, of which Florence and Bruner are proprie- tors, was established in 1874, by S. W. Faudre, and passed into the hands of its present owners in October 1877. The establishment has a capacity of manufacturing about seventy chairs per day, the machinery being run with 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, two thousand dollars.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
RUSSIAN RIVER.
The earliest white settler in this township was Cyrus Alexander, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and descended from good old Scotch stock. After roughing it in Illinois as a pioneer, and as a trapper in the Rocky Mountains, he came to California in 1837. At San Diego he formed the acquaintance of Captain Henry D. Fitch, a prominent merchant of that post, then known as Alta California, who, having taken a fancy to Alexan- der, dispatched him to the country north of the bay of San Francisco in quest of land, of which there was an immense quantity yet unclaimed. He started on horseback, and arrived at the bay, crossed it above the Straits of Carquinez. Pressing forward to Napa valley, which he found already granted to George Yount, Bale and others, he headed for the valley of the Russian river, on his way finding a number of settlements, among others being the Mark West Rancho. North of the latter he discovered a large and fertile tract, still unclaimed, possessing all the qualifications which were desired; the circumstance was duly reported to Captain Fitch, who at once repaired to the spot to make personal observation. He made application to the Mexican authorities, was granted possession of the Sotoyome grant of eleven Spanish leagues of land, and made the following arrangements with Alexander: Fitch was to stoek the land with horses and cattle, while Alex- ander was to guard them and take care of them for the period of four years. At the end of each ycar the stock was to be driven up to be divided, Alexander to have one-half of the increase; at the end of the fourth year he was to receive two leagues of the rancho.
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