Fort Ross, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Fort Ross" redirects here. For other uses, see Fort Ross (disambiguation).
Fort Ross, California

The chapel at Fort Ross.
Established: 1812
Location: California Coast, 12 miles north of the Russian River estuary.
Creator and First Manager: Ivan Kuskov
Sold: John Sutter, 1841

Fort Ross is a former Russian fur trading outpost in what is now Sonoma County, California in the United States. It was established by Ivan Kuskov of the Russian-American Company in 1812 as krepost' rus'.[1] The settlement was sold to John Sutter (an American entrepreneur) in 1841, owing to the depletion of the local population of fur-bearing marine mammals, as well as the decreased strategic importance of a supply base for Russia's Alaskan colonies following the Convention of February 28, 1825 with the British. It was the southernmost outpost of a Russian presence in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The Fort with the surrounding settlement was home to Russians, Aleut hunters in their employment, and native Kashaya (Kashia) Pomo. This unique site has recently been the subject of intensive archaeological investigation. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark.

The only original structure remaining on the site is Rotchev House, the historical manager's residence. The Fort Ross Chapel was knocked down in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake but much of the original structural woodwork remained and it was re-erected in 1916. It was destroyed by fire in October of 1970, while a few months later the roof of Rotchev House was damaged by arson. The current chapel was built during the intensive restoration activity that followed. The Russian cemetery on an adjacent ridge has been cleared and the gravesites identified through non-destructive archaeological techniques, primarily soil resistivity. An orchard with several original trees planted by the Russians is located inland on Ft. Ross Road. The exact origin of the toponym "Ross" is unknown but the name is generally considered to be a poetical shortened version of "Rossiya," which is Russian for Russia.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Colonial administrators

Ivan Alexandrovich Kuskov, a skilful Russian-American Company administrator, served for 22 years in Alaska. He was the founder of Fort Ross and was its colonial administrator from 1812 to 1821.

List of all administrators of the Fort Ross colony:

  • Ivan A. Kuskov, 1812—1821
  • Karl J von Schmidt, 1821—1824
  • Paul I. Shelikhov, 1824—1830
  • Peter S. Kostromitinov, 1830—1838
  • Alexander G. Rotchev, 1838—1841

[edit] Ownership history

Fort Ross was privately owned until 1903 (passing from John Sutter to successive owners and lastly, to George W. Call) when the stockade and about three acres of land were purchased from the Call family by the California Historical Landmarks Commission. Three years later it was turned over to the State of California for preservation and restoration as a state historic monument; since then, the state acquired more of the surrounding land for preservation purposes. California Department of Parks and Recreation as well as many volunteers put extensive efforts into restoration and reconstruction work in the Fort.

[edit] Other meanings

  • Along with its status as a National Historic Landmark, the fort itself and the surrounding area (the immediate coastline and the redwood forest some distance inland) are all included in a California State Park under the name Fort Ross State Historic Park.
  • Fort Ross also designates the small rural community that exists between the towns of Cazadero, Jenner, and Gualala. It is characterized by a strong sense of local community, and its center is undoubtedly the tiny Ft. Ross Elementary School. The tremendous natural beauty of this area, and its colorful inhabitants make it a source of local legend[citation needed].

[edit] Timeline

  • 1784 — Russians settled in Kodiak Island, now Alaska.
  • 1799 — Russians established a post in Sitka, now Alaska.
  • 1806 — Ivan Kuskov looked for places to expand the Russian empire.
  • 1806–1811 — Ivan Kuskov explored what is now called the California Coast.
  • 1812 — Ivan Kuskov brought 25 Russians and 80 native Alaskans to the California Coast. Fort Ross was established.
  • 1821 — Ivan Kuskov leaves Fort Ross and is replaced by Karl Schmidt.
  • 1824 — Karl Schmidt leaves Fort Ross and is replaced by Paul Shelikhov.
  • 1830 — Paul Shelikhov leaves Fort Ross and is replaced by Peter Kostromitinov.
  • 1838 — Peter Kostromitinov leaves Fort Ross and is replaced by Alexander Rotchev.
  • 1841 — Alexander Rotchev sells Fort Ross to John Sutter.
  • 1906 — The San Francisco 'quake nearly destroys Fort Ross.
  • 1916 — Fort Ross is redone.
  • 1970 — A fire at Fort Ross again nearly destroys the former settlement.
  • 1971 — Fort Ross is once again redone.

[edit] Buildings

  • Kuskov Kouse — The Kuskov House was the house where Ivan Kuskov and the other managers up to Alexander Rotchev slept. Located in the mid-eastern area of the fort.
  • Rotchev House — This house was where Alexander Rotchev, the last manager of Ross slept. It remains the only building left that is the original building, built in 1838. Located in the northwest area of the fort.
  • Officials Quaters — This building was the quarters of the officials. Located in the mid-western area of the fort, near the gate.
  • Blockhouses — There were two blockhouses, one in the Northeast area, and one in the Southwest.
  • Chapel — This was where the members of Fort Ross would get married. Located on the southeast area of the fort.

Kuskov House

Rotchev House

Chapel

Officials' Quarters

NW Blockhouse

SE Blockhouse

Well

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Nordlander, p. 10

[edit] References

  • Nordlander, David J. (1994). For God & Tsar: A Brief History of Russian America 1741–1867. Alaska Natural History Association, Anchorage, AK. ISBN 0-930931-15-7.

[edit] External links

 Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../f/o/r/Fort_Ross%2C_California_25a4.html"
In other languages