Sonoma, California

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Sonoma City Hall in the town plaza

Sonoma is a historically significant town in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA. Sonoma is centered around its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Spanish colonial past. Sonoma today is a center of the wine industry for the famed Sonoma Valley Appellation. The city population was 9,128 as of the year 2000 census/decennial.

1 Geography
2 Environmental features
3 Demographics
4 History
5 Notable Residents
6 Historic Sites
7 Items named after the Town
8 Bibliography
9 Points of Interest
10 External links

[edit] Geography

Sonoma is located at 38°17′20″N, 122°27′32″W (38.288771, -122.458884)^GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²). 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²), none covered by water. the following areas are nearby:

Sonoma County, California - Home County
Napa County, California - East
Marin County, California - South, South-West
Solano County, California - South-East
Mendocino County, California - North
Lake County, California - North-East
Pacific Ocean, United States - West
San Pablo Bay, California - South

[edit] Environmental features

The active Rodgers Fault lies to the west of Sonoma Creek; however, risk of major damage is mitigated by the fact that most of the soils beneath the city consis of a slight alluvial terrace underlain by strongly cemented sedimentary and volcanic rock^[1]. To the immediate south, west and east are deeper rich, alluvial soils that support valuable agricultural cultivation. The mountain block to the north rises to 1,200 feet and provides an important scenic backdrop, around whose views the city's original streetscape was carefully laid out.

In terms of fauna, there are a variety of birds, small mammals and amphibians who reside in Sonoma. California quail frequent the riparian areas, while white tailed kite, towhee, waxwing, robin, thrush and sparrow bird species are found locally.

The town of Sonoma boasts a relatively quiet setting, with State Highway 12, Fifth Street and Spain Street being the primary noise sources. About eight miles south of the city is the Infineon Raceway, which is also a significant noise generator. The total citywide population exposed to environmental noise exceeding 60 CNEL is approximately 300.

[edit] Demographics

As of the latest census^GR2 of 2000, there were 9,128 people, 4,373 households, and 2,361 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,329.9/km² (3,442.3/mi²). There were 4,671 housing units at an average density of 680.6/km² (1,761.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.80% White, 0.36% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. 6.85% of the population were Hispanic.

There are 4,373 households of which 21.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 39.2% of households consist of individuals and 21.5% have someone living alone who is 65 or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.77. The age distribution is as follows: 18.6% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.2% who have achieved age 65. The median age is 47 years. For every 100 females there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,505, and the median income for a family was $65,600. Males had a median income of $51,831 versus $40,276 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,387. 3.7% of the population and 2.0% of families were below the poverty line. 3.3% of those under 18 and 4.7% of those are 65 and older.

[edit] History

The region of Sonoma was originally the home of Native American Coast Miwok tribes as well as the Pomo people and Wintuns. Many of the Native Americans still remain, even after seven changes in government since the Spanish first explored and took over the region (see Sonoma County for governments.)

The town of Sonoma, El Pueblo de Sonoma, began with the Mission San Francisco Solano founded in 1823 by Father Joseph Altimira of Spain. This mission was the farthest north of all 21 California missions connected by a "Royal Road" called the El Camino Real. The Mission San Francisco Solano was the sole California mission established under the rule of a newly-independent Mexico, and the last. Soon after it was built, it was secularized by the Mexican government, under the orders of Lieutenant, later General, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Under Vallejo's supervision, the El Presidio de Sonoma, or Sonoma Barracks (part of Spain's Fourth Military District), was built beside the mission for the his army, and he pursued control and order in the region over the native tribes and kept a military eye on the Russians of Fort Ross. Vallejo's relationship with the Native Americans of the region was helped by another resident of Sonoma, his friend and ally the native called Chief (Sem-Yeto) Solano of the Suisunes who had been baptized at the mission.

El Pueblo de Sonoma was laid out in the standard form of a Mexican town, centered around the largest plaza in California. This plaza is surrounded by many historical buildings, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, Captain Salvador Vallejo's Casa Grande, the Presidio of Sonoma, the Blue Wing Inn, and the Toscano Hotel. In the middle of the plaza, Sonoma's early 20th-century city hall, at the plaza's center and still in use, was designed and built with four identical sides in order not to offend the merchants on any one side of the plaza. The plaza is a National Historic Landmark and still serves as the town's focal point, hosting many community festivals and drawing tourists all year round.

Bear Flag of the California Republic, flown in the town of Sonoma, June-July, 1846.

Sonoma is known as the birthplace of California, for it was in this town plaza that the Bear Flag Revolt took place and a Bear Flag was first raised on June 14, 1846. The rebelling men claimed to act on the orders of Col. John C. Fremont proclaiming independence from Mexican rule and a free country called the California Republic here. Sonoma served as the capital of the short-lived California Republic until the United States Stars and Stripes flag was raised in its place.

General Vallejo was imprisoned during the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846, and he later transferred his allegiance to the U.S. and endorsed California statehood (1850). With his amassed land holdings, Vallejo guided the development of the town of Sonoma. He was one of the most powerful residents in the town's history, dividing up the lands into large ranches for friends and family.

Sonoma County has a history of seven distinct, governmental claims from 1579 to the present. Sometimes referred to as "Seven Flags over Sonoma County", these periods are itemized as follows:

	St. George Cross of England, June 1579, voyage of the Golden Hind under Captain Francis Drake at Bodega Bay (exact location disputed)
	Spanish Empire, 1602, by sea, voyage of the San Agustin under Vizcaino. October 1775, the Sonora at Bodega Bay, under Lt. Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra until 1821, when Mexico gained Independence from Spain
	Russian-American Company, by Ivan Alexandrovich Kuskov, the founder of Fort Ross and, from 1812 to 1821, its colonial administrator. Note: There is an overlap of rule with the Mexican Empire (next item), until the Russians sold Fort Ross in 1841 to John Sutter, and subsequently leaving the area in 1842
	Mexican Empire, August 24, 1821, Mexico under Emperor Agustin Iturbide (October 1822, probable time new flag raised in California) until 1823
	Mexican Republic, 1823 until June 1846 at Sonoma
	Bear Flag of the California Republic, June 1846, at Sonoma until July 9,1846
	United States of America/California, July 9, 1846

Vallejo's arrest in 1846 was the initial act that founded the Bear Flag Republic.

Sonoma is also considered the birthplace of wine-making in California, dating back to the original vineyards of Mission San Francisco Solano, then improvements made by Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California viticulture and credited with introduction of the Zinfandel/Primitivo grape varietal. The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival takes place late each September, and is California's oldest celebration of its winemaking heritage.

[edit] Notable Residents

Jack London claimed that Sonoma meant "The Valley of the Moon", which phrase is still applied to the town as well as the whole of Sonoma Valley.

(past) Chuck Williams founder of Williams-Sonoma, the food assessory chain store, started its existence on Broadway, two blocks from the Plaza, before moving to San Francisco.

Count Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California viticulture, created the first winery west of the Mississippi. He tried many locations but settled in Sonoma with General Vallejo's assistance. His first winery, Buena Vista, still exists today. The Count brought numerous cuttings from Europe prior to Europe's phylloxera or wine-blight of 1836. He later re-patriated some cuttings back to Europe to replenish the vineyards from which he obtained the originals.

B.R. Cohn: Vintner and Winery Owner [also owns a line of Olive Oils and Vinegars] is equally noted as being the business manager for the rock-group The Doobie Brothers. Mr. Cohn hosts a yearly charitable event most often featuring The Doobie Brothers and others. The ability to enjoy wine under the olive trees on the property while only being inches from the makeshift stage housing the band, is an endearing event.

John Lasseter (born January 12, 1957 in Hollywood, California) is an animator and the chief creative executive at Pixar Animation Studios. Many praise him as the "current Walt Disney." [1].

He is a founding member of Pixar, where he oversees all of Pixar's films and associated projects as an executive producer. He personally directed and wrote or co-authored Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Cars. Lasseter won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film (Tin Toy) and Special Achievement Award (Toy Story). [2].

Sebastiani Vineyards: A pioneering family founded by Samuele Sebastiani still is family owned and operates a winery and facilities in the town of Sonoma. Great-grandson August Sebastiani, 26, was elected to the Sonoma City Council in 2006.

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo : Last Spanish Governor of the Californias and Spanish land grants north of Mexico proper. His residence in Sonoma was the site for a portion of the Bear Flag revolt which made California a Republic. Vallejo was elected a member of the first State Senate (1850) and devoted the remainder of his life to developing the new state of California.

General Hap Arnold an aviation pioneer and commander of the United States Army Air Corps (from 1938), commander of the U.S. Army Air Forces (from 1941 until 1945) and the first General of the Air Force (in 1949).

[edit] Historic Sites

Sonoma can boast three of the first ten California Historical Landmarks:
- Mission San Francisco Solano (#3) - On July 4, 1823, Padre José Altamira founded the northernmost of California's Franciscan missions here, the only one established in California under independent Mexico.
- The home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (#4) - known as Lachryma Montis (Tears of the Mountain), was built in 1850.
- Bear Flag Monument(#7) - On June 14, 1846, the Bear Flag Party raised the Bear Flag in the Sonoma plaza and declared California free from Mexican rule.

[edit] Items named after the Town

Sonoma Jack Cheese: Cheese, moist to very dry light colored cheese covered in chocolate powder and most credited to the Vella cheese making family. The Vella Cheese factory, former Sonoma Brewing Co. building, continues to make a variety of cheese products and is within walking distance of the Plaza.

Chevrolet S-10 truck once made by GMC was named after the Town and County of Sonoma.

[edit] Bibliography

^ General Plan, City of Sonoma, California, prepared for the City of Sonoma by Hall and Goodhue Community Design Group, San Francisco, Ca. (1974)

[edit] Points of Interest

The Valley of the Moon
Sonoma Creek
Sonoma Valley
Wine Country
Santa Rosa, California: Contains links to Charles M. Schulz, Luther Burbank, Robert Ripley/Ripley's Believe It or Not! as well as the numerous Film Locations of which Sonoma shares some history.

'The Square' (The Town Square) and on the Official National Registry of Historic Sites (See 'External Links')
Blue Wing Inn of 1840, where such notable guests, according to local tradition, included John C. Frémont, U. S. Grant, Governor Pío Pico, Kit Carson, Fighting Joe Hooker, William T. Sherman, Phil Sheridan, and members of the Bear Flag Party.

General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo Home: Official residence of the last Spanish Govenor.

Presidio of Sonoma adobe:
Toscono Hotel
Mission San Francisco Solano, California's last Spanish Mission
Swiss Hotel - Adobe structure and original home of Vallejo's brother, located on 'The Square' (see link below)