Sonoma Developmental Center

Sonoma Developmental Center--Main Building
Location: 15000 Arnold Drive
Eldridge, California
Area: 1,670 acres (7 km2)
NRHP Reference#: 00001180
Added to NRHP: October 6, 2000

The Sonoma Developmental Center is a large, state-run facility in California, United States, serving the needs of people with developmental disabilities. It is located in Eldridge in Sonoma County. It opened at its current location on November 24, 1891, though it had existed at previous locations in Vallejo and Santa Clara since 1884.[1]

The facility's current name dates from 1986. Former names include:[2]

More than 5,000 patients were involuntarily sterilized at this facility during the period 1918 to 1949. The medical director at that time was Frederick Otis Butler, MD.[2] In 2000, its main building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Sonoma Developmental Center". http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/Sonoma/Sonoma_History.cfm. 
  2. ^ a b "National Register #00001180: Sonoma State Home in Eldridge, California". http://www.noehill.com/sonoma/nat2000001180.asp. Retrieved 2008-03-29. 
  3. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings October 13, 2000". http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20001013.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-29.