Sonoma County History

WATER COMPANIES. - The first water introduced into the city of Petaluma in pipes, for public purposes, is said to have been effected by Dr. J. WALKER, who, in turn, disposed of his interest in the undertaking in the year 1860; for on July 16th of that year, we find in the records of the Board of Trustees that the privilege was granted to John CAVANAGH, George L. BRADLEY, and John ROBBINS, to convey fresh water from their springs, in pipes, along the several streets in the city, and to supply the same to such citizens as may desire to purchase it. This body was known as the Petaluma Mountain Water Company. They subsequently sold out to Smith D. TOWNE and James ARMSTRONG, and on March 9, 1868, received from the municipality the exclusive right to introduce water into the city, the same to continue in force for twenty-five years. On the 2d of April, TOWNE and ARMSTRONG, being associated with the Hon. B. B. MUNDAY, organized the Petaluma Water Company; on the 16th it was incorporated, but, on June 22d, the ordinance granting the privilege was repealed, and, after lengthened and insurmountable difficulty, sold out to the Sonoma County Water Company.

Sonoma County Water Company. - This association was incorporated on December 18, 1871, by M. J. MILLER, C. TEMPLE, and F. E. MCNEAR. The company owns the right to the waters of the Adobe and Copeland, as also certain claims on that of the Lynch Creeks, which each take their rise in the Sonoma range of hills, and flow through Vallejo township. At the time of writing the water in use in the city is drawn principally from the first named stream, at a point distant from Petaluma of about five miles; it is in contemplation to bring the liquid from Copeland Creek, at about eight miles distant. The water now in use is conveyed from the Adobe Creek, through seven-inch wrought-iron mains, and delivered into a reservoir of the capacity of five hundred thousand gallons, which is situated on the eminence west of Cypress Hill Cemetery, and thence distributed to customers, from an elevation of one hundred and seventy-five feet above the town, the length of the mains used being, in all, in the vicinity of eight miles. Within the corporate limits there are thirteen hydrants, the property of the city, while the company, in mains, both large and small, own about twenty miles of pipes. The average daily consumption is near two hundred and fifty consumers, who put the water to household, irrigation, and other uses, while from the same source are supplied the locomotives, steamers and other craft which visit the city. The fluid is of excellent quality, and the price charged is one-half that in San Francisco, for domestic purposes; for irrigation it is done for one-eighth of that demanded in that city. The company is now composed as follows: President, Francis SMITH; Vice-President, William HILL; Secretary and Superintendent, F. W. LOUGEE, with the following gentlemen comprising the Board of Directors: Francis SMITH and William HILL, of Petaluma, and C. Adolphe LOW, of San Francisco. Water rights, construction account, and legal expenses have swelled the cost of the works to about one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, and but one dividend, of one thousand dollars, has been paid, the collections made for water, etc., being used on the construction account. This undertaking has been of great benefit to property-holders in Petaluma, on account of the facility which exists for the extinguishing of fires, it being calculated that, in this regard alone, no less a sum than one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars has been saved to them. The rates of insurance have been materially decreased since the establishment of the hydrants, all tending to the benefit of the property-holder.

MCNEAR & BRO.'S WAREHOUSE. - The fire-brick warehouse situated in East Petaluma was erected by John A. and George W. MCNEAR in the Fall of 1864. It is one hundred and fifty feet square, with walls twenty-five feet high. The walls are made of brick, and the floor of cement and asphaltum, and the roof asphaltum, hence it is absolutely fire-proof, and to add still more to its safety from fire, it is almost entirely surrounded by the Petaluma Creek. It has a capacity for ten thousand tons of grain. The shipping facilities from this house are as excellent as any in the State. Schooners can take the grain from the door of the warehouse and deliver it direct on board of the ships bound for the great grain marts of the world. The railroad track passes into the building and by its doors. Grain from all parts of the valley above is delivered so that it can be readily transferred to the out-going schooners or stored in the warehouse. At the time of its erection it was the largest fire-proof warehouse in the State of California. The amount of business done here in a year is simply enormous. Fully as much produce is shipped over the wharf as is stored. It is at present managed by John A. MCNEAR, he having dissolved business with G. W. MCNEAR, August 1, 1874. When it is considered that twenty thousand tons of produce passes over the wharf of this warehouse alone yearly an approximate idea of the vast resources of the rich valley of Sonoma may be obtained.

MCNEAR & BRO.'S MILL. - The mill business, at present conducted by George P. MCNEAR, was put in operation by M. R. EVANS in 1862. He continued to run it till 1868. It then came into possession of J. R. ROSE, who continued in charge of it till 1876. The business had NOT proved to be a very good investment previous to its coming into the hands of Mr. MILLER. He gave it a thorough overhauling, and, in fact, almost rebuilt it, adding many improvements to it, some of the most important of which were his own design. The present manager took charge of it in 1876, and has conducted it successfully ever since. It has two run of burs in it. The other machinery is very complete in all its arrangements. This machinery is driven by a thirty-five horse-power engine. Its capacity is fifty barrels a day of twenty-four hours. It has been run continuously every day and often during the night, also for the past three years, and it is a remarkable fact, that it has not been obliged to cease running for a full day for repairs during that time. It is well protected from fire, having six hydrant connections and a tank on the roof. The local trade consumes all the flour produced at this mill, and the quality of it is pronounced to be very superior by all who use it. The business is now in competent hands, and is proving a first-class financial venture.

California Mills. - These mills are situated on Main Street, Petaluma. and run back to Water Street, having a frontage on the former of thirty-eight and a-half feet and running back to the latter one hundred and twenty-five feet, the proprietors being J. M. BOWLES & SONS. The mill proper is constructed of brick and is forty by sixty feet in dimensions and is supplied with three run of stone, five reels, and one middlings purifier. The machinery is driven by a plain stationary engine, manufactured at the California Machine Shop, by BERTS and COMPANY of San Francisco, and comprises all the most modern improvements, having a capacity of turning out one hundred barrels of flour in the twenty-four hours and a capacity for ground and chopped feed of fifty tons in the same time. The premises are divided into a receiving-room for grain, flour-room, store-room, besides others for machinery and storage. It has also a well constructed wharf possessing all the necessary facilities for shipping, while it has been in working order for the last twelve months only.

Petaluma Planing Mill. - 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; storehouse, forty by sixty feet; the machinery being driven by a twenty horse-power engine. The mill possesses all the appliances necessary for the performing of general work and the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds, mouldings, 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 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 himself 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 thoroughfares, 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 dollars per annum.

GWIN & BRAINARD'S Saddle Manufactory. - This enterprise was established in 1867. These gentlemen had formerly been engaged in this business, 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 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, manufactured 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 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 eighty 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 consumption 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 canner. The business done annually amounts to between three and four thousand dollars.

Petaluma Brewery. - This brewery was started in the year 1855, by CHRISTLICH & 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 transporting 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 GAMBRINUS.

J. CAVANAGH'S Lumber Yard. - Mr. CAVANAGH's lumber yard was established 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 has always a considerable stock on hand, is entirely the outturn 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 circle 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 Washington, between Main and Kentucky Streets, where it has a prominent position being in close proximity to all the banks, the post office, express agency, and leading newspapers. The building is fifty by one hundred feet in area, the first floor consisting of bar, office, dining-room, kitchen and the necessary store-rooms, while on the second floor there are thirty first class bed-rooms, all well and comfortably 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 proprietor, 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 comfort, 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 accommodation 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, 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 originally 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 appearance, 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 us 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 rancho. 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 section. The first to settle in the neighborhood of Two Rock were Samuel TUSTIN, J. R. LEWIS, Charles PURVINE, S. M. MARTIN, James and E. 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 SCHWOBEDA, who sold it to Charles WEIGAND, the present proprietor and postmaster.

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 MCKAY, 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 congregation met for service in Keyem and Iowa school-houses.

STONY POINT. - This hamlet is sometimes known by the name of WASHOE, do 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 here 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 Isaac BAKER, who conducted 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.

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 Guernerville, 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.

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 acres of timber land, not to be excelled in California. 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 redwood country.

Chair Factory. - This industry, of which Florence and Bruner are proprietors, 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.