Sonoma County History

THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

Its Organizations and Political History

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. - The first organization of counties in the United States originated in Virginia, her early settlers becoming proprietors of vast amounts of land, living apart in patrician splendor, imperious in demeanor, aristocratic in feeling, and being in a measure dictators to the laboring portion of the population. It will thus be remarked that the materials for the creation of towns were not at hand, voters being but sparsely distributed over a great area. The county organization was, moreover, in perfect accord with the traditions and memories of the judicial and social dignities of Great Britain, in descent from whom they felt so much glory. In 1634 eight counties were established in Virginia, a lead which was followed by the Southern and several of the Northern States, save in those of South Carolina and Louisiana, where districts were outlined in the former, and parishes, after the manner of the French, in the latter.

In New England, towns were formed before counties, while counties were organized before States. Originally, the towns, or townships, exercised all the powers of government swayed by a State. The powers afterward assumed by the State governments were from surrender or delegation on the part of towns. Counties were created to define the jurisdiction of Courts of Justice. The formation of States was a union of towns, wherein arose the representative system; each town being represented in the State Legislature, or General Court, by delegates chosen by the freemen of the towns at their stated meetings. The first town meeting of which we can find any direct evidence, whether from that source or otherwise, that the annual town meetings in New England, and nearly all the other States, have ever since been held in the Spring of the year. It was not, however, until 1635, that the township system was adopted as a quasi corporation in Massachusetts.

The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that whereas: "Particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own towns; therefore the freeman of every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said towns; to grant lots and to make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court. They might also impose fines of not more than twenty shillings, and choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like." Evidently this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal details, without any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general measures of public policy. Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt, for the control of their own home concerns.

The New England colonies were first governed by a "General Court," or Legislature, composed of a Governor and small council, which court consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised, both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They made laws, ordered their execution, elected their own officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations; and, in fact, transacted all the business of the colony.

This system which was found to be eminently successful, became general as territory was added to the Republic, and States formed. Smaller divisions were in turn inaugurated and placed under the jurisdiction of special officers, whose numbers were increased as time developed a demand, until the system of Township organization in the United States is a matter of just pride to her people.

Let us now consider this topic in regard to the especial subject under review:

On the acquisition of California by the government of the United States, under a treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement with the Mexican Republic, dated Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848, the boundaries of the State were defined. This treaty was ratified by the President of the United States, on March 16, 1848; exchanged at Queretaro, May 30th, and finally promulgated July 4th, of the same year, by President Polk, and attested by Secretary of State, James Buchanan. In 1849, a Constitutional Convention was assembled in Monterey, and at the close of the session, on October 12th, a proclamation calling upon the people to form a government was issued "to designate such officers as they desire to make and execute the laws; that their choice may be wisely made, and that the government so organized may secure the permanent welfare and happiness of the people of the new State, is the sincere and earnest wish of the present executive, who, if the Constitution be ratified, will with pleasure, surrender his powers to whomsoever the people may designate as his successor." This historical document bore the signatures of "B. Riley, Bvt. Brig. General U.S.A., and Governor of California, and official - H. W. Halleck, Bvt. Capt. and Secretary of State."

In accordance with Section fourteen of Article twelve of the Constitution, it was provided that the State be divided into counties, and Senatorial and Assembly districts, while the first session of the Legislature, which began at San Jose, on December 15, 1849, passed, on February 18, 1850, "An act subdividing the State into counties and establishing seats of justice therein." This act was finally confirmed, April 25, 1851, and directed the boundaries of Sonoma county to be as follows: -

"Beginning on the sea-coast, at the mouth of Russian river, and following up the middle of said river to its source in the range of the mountains called Mayacmas; thence in a direct line to the northwestern corner of Napa County; thence down and along the western boundary of Napa county to its termination in Carnero mountains; thence in a direct line to the nearest point of Carnero Creek; thence down said creek to its entrances into Napa River; thence down the middle of Napa River to its mouth, excluding the island called Signor, or Mare Island; thence due south to the north line of Contra Costa County; thence down the middle of said bay to the corner of Marin County; thence following the boundary of said county to Petaluma Creek; thence up said creek, following the boundary of Marin County, to the ocean, and three miles therein; thence in a northerly direction parallel with the coast to a point opposite the mouth of Russian River, and thence to said river which was the place of beginning." It was ordered that Sonoma should be the seat of justice.

Prior to this time the county had been included in the District of Sonoma, a division which had originated with the Mexican authorities during their power, and that included all the counties now between the bay of San Francisco and the Oregon line, west of the Sacramento River; it had not been interfered with on the accession of American rule, but retained the official designation given to it by the Spaniards.

On April 11, 1850, An Act of the Legislature was passed organizing a Court of Sessions, which defined its composition as follows: -

The court consisted of the County Judge, who should preside at its sessions, assisted by two Justices of the Peace of the county as Associate Justices, they being chosen by their brother justices from out of the whole number elected for the county. The duties imposed upon this organization were multifarious. They made such orders respecting the property of the county as they deemed expedient, in conformity with any law of the State, and in them were vested the care and preservation of said property. They examined, settled, and allowed all accounts chargeable against the county; directed the raising of such sums for the defraying of all expenses and charges against the county, by means of taxation on property, real and personal, such not to exceed, however, the one-half of the tax levied by the State on such property; to examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care, management, collection, and disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. In them was the power of control and management of public roads, turnpikes, fences, canals, roads, and bridges within the county, where the law did not prohibit such jurisdiction, and make such orders as should be requisite and necessary to carry such control and management into effect; to divide the county into townships, and change the division of the same as the convenience of the county should require. They established and changed election precincts; controlled and managed the property, real and personal, belonging to the county, and purchased and received donations of property for the use of the county, with this proviso, that they should not have the power to purchase any real or personal property, except such as should be absolutely necessary for the use of the county. To sell and cause to be conveyed, any real estate, goods, or chattels belonging to the county, appropriating the funds of such sale to the use of the same. To cause to be erected and furnished, a Court-house, jail, and other buildings, and to see that the same are kept in repair, and otherwise to perform all such other duties as should be necessary to the full discharge of the powers conferred on such court. Terms were ordered to be held on the second Monday of February, April, June, August, October, and December, with quarterly sessions on the third Monday of February, May, August, and November of each year.

No records are to be found of how the county was partitioned at this date; but it is presumed that it had been divided into four townships, viz.: Petaluma, Sonoma, Russian River, and Bodega. At any rate, we know that, in 1856, the county was apportioned into the townships of Sonoma, Vallejo, Petaluma, Analy, Santa Rosa, Russian River, Mendocino, Washington, Bodega, within the present boundaries, and Ukiah and Big River, in what it is now Mendocino county.

By the Act of April 25, 1851, Mendocino was ordered to be attached, for judicial and revenue purposes, to Sonoma County, until a county government should be organized; but it was not until March 11, 1859, that an Act was passed by the Legislature defining its boundaries and fixing its duties, the same enactment defining its southern boundary, and consequently the northern limit of Sonoma as the Valhalla river.

Through a thorough search of the archives of Sonoma has been made, no trace of the boundary lines of townships can be found until the year 1867, when the county was partitioned as follows: -

Analy. - Commencing at the junction of the Laguna with Mark West Creek; thence down Mark West Creek to Russian River; thence down Russian River to the mouth of "Dutch Bill's Creek;" thence up said creek to its intersection with the quarter-section line dividing section 27, T. 7 N., R. 10 W.; thence east on said quarter-section line to the range line between townships nine and ten west; thence south to the south line of the Jonive rancho; thence east one half mile; thence south on quarter-section line to the north line of the Rancho Canada de Pocolome; thence westerly on the north line of said rancho to the range line aforesaid; thence due south on said line to the Estero Americano or county line; thence southeasterly along the county line to the Rancho Laguna de San Antonio; thence northeasterly on the northerly line of said rancho to the easterly line of the Blucher Rancho; thence north along the east line of Blucher Rancho, to the southwest corner of Lot No. 28 of the Rancho Roblas de la Miseria; thence due east to the Cotate line; thence on the Cotate line to its most westerly corner; thence northeasterly on the Cotate line to the middle of Section twenty-two; thence west one-half mile to the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Road; thence north to the Laguna; thence down said Laguna to the place of beginning.

Bodega. - Commencing at the mouth of "Dutch Bill's Creek on Russian River; thence up said creek to its intersection with the quarter-section line dividing Section 27, T. 7 N., R. 10 W.; thence east on said quarter-section line to the range line between Townships nine and ten west; thence south on said range line to the south line of the Jonive Rancho; thence east one half mile; thence south, on quarter-section line to the north line of the Rancho Canada de Pocolome; thence westerly along the north line of said Rancho to the range line aforesaid; thence due south along said range line to the Estero Americano, or county line; thence down said Estero Americano to the Pacific Ocean; thence up the coast northerly to the mouth of Russian River; thence up said river to the place of beginning.

Cloverdale. - Commencing at the north-easterly corner of Sonoma county; thence south-westerly on a straight line to the most northerly corner of the Tzabaco Rancho; thence along the line of the Tzabaco Rancho across Russian River to the most southerly corner of the Rancho Musalacon; thence in a westerly direction following the line of the Tzabaco Rancho to the top of the divide between Russian River and Dry Creek; thence in a north-westerly direction following the top of said divide to the Prichett mountain; thence nearly west to the junction of Smith Creek with Dry Creek; thence north-easterly following the divide between said creeks to a point due south of the junction of Peter's Creek with Dry Creek; thence due north to the said junction; thence northerly following Peter's Creek to the county line; thence following the county line easterly to the place of beginning.

Mendocino. - Commencing on the north-easterly line of the Sotoyome Rancho, at or near the mill of Lamphier and Alexandier; thence south-westerley along the road leading from said mill to Russian River; thence up said river to the north line of Township nine north, Range nine west, being at or near the north-east corner of Section three west, along said township line to the Tzabaco Rancho line; thence north-easterly along said rancho line to the north-east corner of the Conolly Tract; thence north-westerly along the line separating the sold from the unsold portion of the Tzabaco Rancho (said line being at or near the summit of the divide separating Russian River and Dry Creek) to the northerly line of said Rancho; thence following the top of divide between Dry Creek and Russian River north-westerly to the top of Pritchett Mountain; thence nearly west to the junction of Smith Creek with the main Dry Creek; thence north-westerly following the divide between said creeks to a point due south of the junction of Peter's Creek with Dry Creek; thence north to the said junction; thence northerly following Peter's Creek to the county line; thence on the county line westerly to the head waters of the Valhalla, nearly north of Richardson's Rancho; thence following said stream down to its junction with the first tributary west of Flat Ridge; thence following said tributary in a south-easterly direction to its source nearest Mount Tom; thence to the top of Mount Tom; thence due south to a branch of the middle fork of the Valhalla south of Reagan's or Hawk Ridge; thence up said branch to the top of the ridge dividing the waters of Dry Creek from the waters of the middle Valhalla; thence along the said divide in a southerly direction to the head waters of the middle Valhalla; thence along said divide in a southerly direction to the head waters of the east branch of Austin's Creek; thence down said creek to Russian River; thence up said river to Bedwell's upper line to the Sotoyome Rancho line; thence northerly and westerly along the rancho line to the place of beginning.

Santa Rosa. - Commencing at the junction of the Laguna with Mark West Creek; thence up said creek to its intersection with the county line about two miles south of Porter's; thence south-easterly on the county line to its intersection with main Sonoma Creek; thence down Sonoma Creek to its intersection with the south-easterly line of Los Guilicos Rancho about one and one-half miles south-easterly from Adler's house; thence following said line north sixty degrees west to the range line between six and seven west about a half mile west of Adler's house; thence south on said range line to the south-east corner of the north-east quarter of Section 24, T. 6 N. R. 7 W.; thence due west on the quarter-section lines dividing sections 24, 23, 22, 21, 19 of T. 6 N., R 7 W., and sections 24, 23, 22 of T 6 N., R 8 W., to the Santa Rosa and Petaluma Road via Gossages; thence north on said road to Laguna Bridge; thence down the Laguna to its junction with Mark West Creek.

Sonoma. - Commencing on the county line where the main Sonoma Creek crosses the line; thence down said creek to its intersection of the south-easterly line of the Los Guilicos Rancho, about one and one-half miles south-easterly from Adler's house; thence following said line north, sixty degrees west, to the range line between Townships six and seven, about one-half mile west of Adler's house south on said range line to its intersection with the base line of Rowe's survey of the Petaluma Rancho near J. W. McKamy's; thence southerly along said base line to Dennis Murray's north line; thence easterly and southerly along Murray's boundary lines excluding Murray to Mrs. Nancy Hinkston's lands; thence easterly and southerly along said Mrs. Hinkston's northerly and easterly lines to J. McDevitt's land; thence easterly to J. McDevitt's most northerly corner; thence southerly along the easterly lines of J. McDevitt and P. H. Pharris to the northwesterly line of Lot No. 50 of the Bihler purchase; thence southerly about one-third of a mile to the most westerly corner of said Lot; thence southerly on the south-westerly line of Lots Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 of the Bihler purchase; thence in the same direction to the mouth of Sonoma Creek; thence up said Sonoma Creek to the mouth of the Huichica Creek; thence up Huichica Creek to the county line; thence along the county line to the place of beginning.

Petaluma. - Commencing at the most southerly corner of the Cotate Rancho; thence north-westerly on the south-westerly line of said Rancho to the most easterly corner of Lot No. 30 of the Rancho Roblar de la Miseria; thence west, on the southerly line of lots 30 and 38 to the west line of said rancho, near the south-east corner of C. E. Bartlett's land; thence south on the west line of the Roblar Rancho to the Rancho Laguna de San Antonio; thence south-westerly on the northerly line of the Rancho Laguna de San Antonio to the county line; thence following the county line southeasterly to the Petaluma Creek; thence up Petaluma Creek to the most westerly corner of Lot No. 312 of the Petaluma Rancho, being the most westerly corner of said rancho; thence north-easterly along the line of said Rancho to the place of beginning.

Vallejo. - Commencing at the north-east corner of the south-east quarter of section 24, T. 6 N., R. 7 W.; thence south on said range to its intersection with the base line of Rowe's survey of the Petaluma Rancho, near J. W. McKamy's; thence southerly along said base line to Dennis Murray's north line; thence easterly and southerly along Murray's lines, including Murray's, to Mrs. Nancy Hinkston's northerly and easterly line to J. McDevitt's land; thence easterly to McDevitt's most northerly corner; thence southerly along the easterly lines of McDevitt's and P. H. Pharris' to the north-westerly line of Lot No. 50 of the Bihler purchase; thence south-westerly about one-third of a mile to the most westerly corner of said lot; thence southerly on the south-easterly line of lots Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 of the Bihler purchase; thence in the same direction to the mouth of Sonoma Creek; thence following San Pablo Bay around the mouth of Petaluma Creek; thence up said creek to the north-westerly corner of lot No. 312 of Petaluma Rancho; thence northerly on the Petaluma Ranchi line to the most southerly corner of the Cotate Rancho; thence north-westerly on said rancho line to its intersection with the quarter-section line dividing Section 22, T. 6 N., R. 8 W; thence east on quarter-section line dividing Sections 22, 23, 24 of said township, and 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 of T 6 N., R. 7 W., to place of beginning.

Russian River. - Commencing at the junction of Mark West Creek and Russian River; thence up Mark West Creek to its intersection with the range line between Townships seven and eight, about one mile south of Tarwater's house; thence north along said range line to the north-east corner of the south-east quarter of Section one; thence due west one and one-half miles to the center of Section two; thence north to the line of the Malcolmes Rancho; thence on said rancho line north to its intersection with main Bedwell's Creek; thence down said creek to the Sotoyome Rancho line; thence westerly on said line to the northerly line of F. Bedwell's land; thence on said Bedwell's line, including him to Russian River; thence down said river to the place of beginning.

Washington. - Commencing at the northerly corner of Sonoma County; thence south-westerly on a straight line to the most northerly corner of Tzabaco Rancho, thence with said rancho line south-westerly across Russian River to the most southerly corner of the Rancho de Musalacon; thence westerly along the line of said Tzabaco Rancho to its intersection on or near the top of the divide between the waters of Russian River and Dry Creek, with the line separating the unsold portion of said Tzabaco Rancho from the farms on Dry Creek; thence along said separating lines in a south-easterly direction nearly on the summit of said divide to the line between Tzabaco and Sotoyome Ranchos at the north-east corner of the Conolly tract; thence south-westerly along the dividing line between said ranchos to the township line, between townships nine and ten, north; thence along said township line due east to Russian River; thence down said river to the ford at the most western corner of J. Wood's land; thence along the road leading from said ford in a north-easterly direction to the line of the Sotoyome rancho where it crosses Sausal Creek near what was formerly Jordan's mill, thence up the main and eastern branch of said Sausal Creek to its source a short distance east from the house of Young, thence due east to the county line; thence north-westerly along the county line to the place of beginning.

St. Helena. - Commencing on the north-easterly line of the Sotoyome Rancho where Sausal Creek crosses the same, thence up the main and eastern branch of Sausal Creek to its source a short distance east of the house of Young, thence due east to the county line; thence south-easterly along said county line about fifteen miles to its intersection with Mark West Creek, about two miles south of Porter's, thence following down Mark West Creek, westerly to the eastern line of Township 8 N., R. 8 W.; thence north on said township line to the north-east corner of the south-east quarter of Section one, near Tarwater's; thence due west one and one-half miles to the centre of Section two; thence north to the line of Malacomes Rancho; thence on said Rancho line north to its intersection with the Sotoyome Rancho Line; thence northerly and westerly along said rancho line to the place of beginning.

Salt Point. - Commencing on the coast of the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Valhalla River; thence north-easterly on the county line to its intersection with one of the tributaries of the north fork of the south Valhalla, being the north-west corner of Mendocino township; thence following said stream down to its junction with its first tributary west of Flat ridge; thence up said tributary in a south=easterly direction to its source nearest Mount Tom; thence to the top of Mount Tom; thence due south to a branch of the middle fork of the south Valhalla, south of Reagan's or Hawk Ridge; thence up said branch to the top of the ridge dividing the waters of Dry Creek from the waters of the middle Valhalla; thence along said divide in a southerly direction to the head waters of the east branch of Austin's Creek to Russian River; thence down to the mouth of the Valhalla, or place of beginning.

Some years later a further change in townships took place, and those of Ocean and Redwood established, while portions of St. Helena were absorbed by Mendocino and Santa Rosa, and the balance given the name of Knight's Valley, making the townships of the present day to be fourteen in number, viz: - Analy, Bodega, Cloverdale, Knight's Valley, Mendocino, Ocean, Petaluma, Redwood, Russian River, Washington, Salt Point, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Vallejo.

In the year 1855 a change had come o'er the spirit of the governmental dream of the county. The Court of Sessions was abolished and an act passed on March 20th, entitled "An Act To Create A Board Of Supervisors in the counties in this State, and to define their duties and powers." For better reference the ninth section of the above act is quoted in full: -

"The Board of Supervisors shall have one power and jurisdiction in their respective counties; First, To make orders respecting the property of the county, in conformity with any law of this State, and to take care of and preserve such property. Second, To examine, settle, and allow all accounts legally chargeable against the county, and to levy, for the purposes prescribed by law, such amount of taxes on the assessed value of real and personal property in the county, as may be authorized by law: provided the salary of the County Judge need not be audited by the Board; but the County Auditor shall, on the first judicial day of each month, draw his warrant on the County Treasurer in favor of the County Judge for the amount due such Judge as salary, for the month proceeding. Third, to examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care, management, collection or disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. Fourth, To lay out, control and manage public roads, turnpikes, ferries, and bridges within the county, in all cases where the law does not prohibit such jurisdiction, and to make such orders as may be requisite and necessary to carry its control and management into effect. Fifth, To take care of and provide for the indigent sick of the county. Sixth, To divide the county into townships, and to change the divisions of the same, and to create new townships, as the convenience of the county may require. Seventh, To establish and change election precincts, and to appoint inspectors and judges of elections. Eighth, To control and manage, the property, real and personal, belonging to the county, and to receive by donation any property for the use and benefit of the county. Ninth, To lease or to purchase any real or personal property necessary for the use of the county; provided no purchase of real property shall be made unless the value of the same be previously estimated by three disinterested persons, to be appointed for that purpose by the County Judge. Tenth, To sell at public auction, at the Court House of the county, after at least thirty days previous public notice, and cause to be conveyed, any property belonging to the county, appropriating the proceeds of such sale to the use of the same. Eleventh, To cause to be erected and furnished, a court house, jail, and such other public buildings as may be necessary, and to keep the same in repair; provided that the contract for building the court house, jail, and public notice, in each case, of a readiness to receive proposals therefor, to the lowest bidder, who will give good and sufficient security for the completion of any contract which he may make respecting the same; but no bid shall be accepted which the Board may deem too high. Twelfth, To control the prosecution and defense of all suits to which the county is a party. Thirteenth, To do any and perform all such other acts and things as may be strictly necessary to the full discharge of the powers and jurisdiction confered on the Board."

To these various duties, in themselves, of a most difficult nature, were added the onerous responsibilities of canvassers of election returns, the investigation of bonds required to be given by newly-elected officers, and a general superintendance of all monetary transactions in which the county, through her officers, has any interest.

In the year 1851, on the organization of the county, the county seat was located at the town of Sonoma, then the most prosperous city north of the bay of San Francisco, but in 1854, a bill was passed in the Legislature authorizing its removal to Santa Rosa, which was done without delay and before the Sonomans could fairly realize the effects of the contemplated change. The Sonoma Bulletin of April 8, 1854, says: "The first intimation we had of the people's desire to move the county seat from Sonoma to Santa Rosa was through the legislative proceedings of March 28th, which informs us that a bill had been introduced and passed for that purpose." The bill provided that a vote of the people should be taken on the question of removal, and the election took place on September 6th. The issue of the above-named periodical, printed on the 14th of that month, thus touchingly alludes to the result: "The county seat - that's a gone or going case! The up-country people worked furiously against us, and have come out victorious. What majority the new seat got we are not aware; but whatever it is, why it is as it is, which incontestible truth consoles us!" The archives were removed on the 22d September, and steps immediately taken for the permanent location of the county seat at Santa Rosa, a full record of which will be found in our history of that city.

As soon as the organization of Santa Rosa as the capital of Sonoma County was complete, the erection of public buildings was forthwith commenced. The Court House was built in the year 1859; while in 1871-2 the neat and substantial Hall of Records was constructed, a description of which we here produce:

The Hall of Records. - The outside size of the building is about thirty feet by sixty feet, and the interior is in one room of good proportions, twenty-six feet, or thereabouts in size on the floor. The principal entrance at one side, facing the public square, leads through a small vestibule. Thence entering the main room we find on the right hand a space railed off, ample in size for the Recorder and Auditor's private office. This space contains a Recorder's receiving desk, close by the rail, protected by glass and walnut framing. Adjoining this is the Auditor's desk, similarily fitted up. To the rear of them and against the wall are the racks, with pigeon holes and book spaces for the two departments of the office, having glazed paneled doors in front, each with drawers underneath for miscellaneous papers.

There is also close by a small standing desk on pivots, useful for the purpose of receiving the signatures of persons on the outside of the rail.

At the other extreme end of the building, on the same side, is a similar space, appropriated to the use of the copying department, fitted up with a standing desk and a private desk, similarly railed off.

Between the two compartments named is a large map table, with two drawers, moving through from side to side, opening both sides of the table, giving an opportunity to examine the contents of both drawers at one and the same time.

The desk containing the racks for holding the books of public record for real estate and mortgage transactions stands a little to the left or opposite side of the building.

It is about thirty-four feet long, with a row of racks on each side of this piece of furniture running the full length of it. Every space for a book is divided by ornamental divisions from the one adjacent. The front edge of each at the bottom has a roller of manzanita wood, thus facilitating the handling of heavy books, at the same time protecting their edges from undue wear. This is an invention of Mr. A. P. Petit, the architect, and through simple answers its purpose admirably.

The whole of the furniture is exceedingly appropriate to its purpose, making one if the best fitted-up halls for public records of the State.

The furniture is of black walnut, solid and elegant. The panels of the doors and desks of plate glass. All receptacles have the best tumbler locks, and the whole a credit to all parties concerned. The cabinet-makers were Johnson & Best, of San Francisco.

In addition to these buildings, Sonoma County possesses two institutions of which she may well be proud; these are the hospital and county farm. Both are under the direct control of Dr. J. B. Gordon, are well managed, and reflect much credit upon himself and his assistants. Below we produce a sketch of the county hospital: -

County Hospital: - This building was completed and handed over to the Board of Supervisors in the month of December, 1866. It is situated in that portion of the city of Santa Rosa known as Green's addition, and is fully equal to any public building of its kind, outside of San Francisco, to be found in the State.

The foundation is composed of cement; lime and gravel manipulated and rammed into trenches, two feet wide and eighteen inches deep, walled with brick, stairs leading to pantry. The size of the building is forty-six feet, front and rear, by forty-two feet deep, with building in rear twenty-five feet, used as wash and wood house. The first floor is set up four feet above grade of lot. The first story is twelve feet high, the second eleven feet all clear. First story contains a hall, eight feet wide, through the center of the building; on the east side is a ward for females, with bath room adjoining, supplied with warm and cold water; on the west side is a dining room, and three rooms for the use of the managers of the institution; a flight of stairs, with moulded handrail, and balustrade of mahogany, leads from below to the second story, which contains also a hall corresponding with that below; on the east of this a ward, extending the whole length of the building, and affording accommodation for seventeen patients, and divided in center by folding doors; on the west of the hall is the physician's office, a dark ward for the blind, wash room, laundry and bath-room; in the center of hall, over the stairs, is a dome and skylight for ventilation. Every window is supplied with inside blinds. On the south front is a porch, eight feet wide, from base; each story, with neat cornice, supported by open antirs, with neat cap and on rear end of building six patent water-closets, three for each story, supplied with water from a tank containing two thousand gallons, conveyed by means of patent windmill. The building is covered with tin, standing groove, well-painted; cornice of building has projection of three and a half feet, supported by brackets, while the whole is of the villa order of architecture. The size of the lot is one hundred and eighty feet east and west, four hundred and sixty feet north and south in clear. It is inclosed by picket and board fence on all sides, in a most substantial manner. The total cost of the structure was eight thousand eight hundred dollars, while that of the lot was four hundred and fifty, a considerable portion of the latter sum being donated by citizens of Santa Rosa.

Postoffices: - One of the first signs of a thorough county organization is the establishment throughout its length and breadth of a system to facilitate the transmission of correspondence from point to point; to attain this object is the cause of postoffices. To set at rest any doubt which may remain in the minds of the residents of Sonoma as to who were the first postmasters at the different stations in the county, the accompanying information has been most courteously furnished us by the Postoffice Department at Washington.

"Postoffice Department, Office of the First Assistant P. M. General, Wash-ington, D. C., Oct. 3, 1879. - Alley Bowen & Co. Santa Rosa, Cal. - Your communication of Sept. 3, 1879 - in which you ask for the date of the establishment of the postoffices and postmasters to present date, in Sonoma Co., Cal. - has been received at this department. In answer to your inquiry, please find the following, as shown by the records of this department. JAMES H. MAN,

Acting 1st Asst. P. M. Gen'l.

Sonoma, established November 8, 1879, Lilburn W. BOGGS, postmaster; Petaluma, February 9, 1852, Garrett W. KELLER; Bodega, February 20, 1852, Joseph M. MILLER; Santa Rosa, April 23, 1852, Donald McDONALD; Smith's Ranch, September 29, 1854, Stephen SMITH; Russian River, November 1, 1854, Harmon J. HEALD, changed to Healdsburg April 14, 1875; Windsor, August 31, 1855, Seiver LEWIS; Bloomfield, July 12, 1856, Horace LAMB; Stony Point, April 13, 1857, Parmenas N. WOODWORTH; Two Rocks, July 17, 1857, Clark A. HOUGH; Cloverdale, August 15, 1857, John A. HARTMAN; Pacific Home, June 15, 1858, William W. FERGUSON, discontinued April 19, 1860; Lakeville, January 31, 1859, Joshua CHADBOURNE; Analy, August 7, 1860, Lewis M. MILLER; Albany, February 25, 1862, Elijah BROOKHIRE, discontinued, April 13, 1864; Duncan Mills, December 20, 1862, Thomas BEACON; Timber Cove, February 24, 1863, Fred'k HELMKE; Fisherman's Bay, July 10, 1863, Andrew J. FISK; Clairville, January 5, 1865, David ODELL; Mark West, October 25, 1865, Henry G. GIAMINI; Sebastapool, October 2, 1867, John DOUGHERTY; Ocean View, March 25, 1870, Hugh MARSHALL; Occidental, December 7, 1876, Andrew J. BLANEY; Fort Ross, May 23, 1877, George W. CALL; Tyrone, July 18, 1877, Hiram C. SMITH.