Cooper's Sawmill

Cooper's Sawmill
Location Sonoma County
Official name: Cooper's Sawmill[1]
Designated November 3, 1969
Reference no. 835

Cooper's Sawmill is a California Historical Landmark located almost two miles north of Forestville, California,[2] and is located in the jurisdiction of Santa Rosa, in the United States. It was the site of the first power-operated sawmill used for commercial purposes in California.

History

Cooper's Sawmill was built in 1834 by John B. R. Cooper. It was located on Rancho El Molino.[3] Cooper built the mill approximately two years before his Rancho El Molino land grant was authorized.[2] Upon completion, it became the first water power-operated sawmill used for commercial purposes in the state of California. Redwood lumber was the primary wood used at the sawmill. It's power came from Mark West Creek.[4] In early 1841, the sawmill was destroyed by a flood.[3][5]

California Historical Landmark

On November 3, 1969, Cooper's Sawmill was designated a California Historical Landmark.[4]

References

  1. "Cooper's Sawmill". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Historic Spots in California. Stanford University Press. 1990. pp. 481–. ISBN 978-0-8047-1734-2.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Blair, Ramona. "El Molino, first commercial sawmill in California : typescript: Santa Rosa, Calif., undated". Online Archive of California. The Regents of The University of California. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Cooper's Sawmill". Office of Historic Preservation. California Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  5. "Cooper's Sawmill". Stopping Points. Retrieved 17 August 2014.