Adventure 051, Site 055 – Sonoma Plaza

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 051, Site 055 – Sonoma Plaza

National Registry ID: 1975000489

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 20, 2012

Location:

Latitude: N 38° 17.524

Longitude: W 122° 27.465

Address: City of Sonoma, CA

Description:

The Sonoma Plaza is the center of the Sonoma historical area. Everything revolves around this area, just as it does in the old days. Thing One and Thing Two stroll up the paved plaza to the City Hall, which is the center of the area. The building is old and is historic, having been built in 1835. We continue our stroll, enjoying the people wandering around—a lot of them are tourists, just like us. But there are locals. One of them sees us eying a building—we are looking for the historical marker, she thinks we are looking for food. She gives us several recommendations. Its just that kind of a place.

But now it is off, looking for history. Of course, history is under our feet and all around us.

From NRHP:

Sonoma Pueblo was the chief military base of the Mexican Government in Alta, California from 1835 to the end of the Mexican period. Established in June 1835, both to check possible Russian expansion from Fort Ross, California, and to control the Indians. It was founded by Lt. Marino Guadalupe Vallejo, Military Commander and Director of the Northern frontier. Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was founded on July 4, 1823 by Friar Jose Altimira. The mission is the last founded of 21 California Missions and the only one founded during the Mexican period.

In 1845, the pueblo had 45 houses and a population of some 300. On June 14, 1846 the Bear Flag was raised in Sonoma Plaza and the Bear Flag Party declared the freedom of California from Mexican rule. On July 9, 1846 the American Flag replaced the Bear Flag.

From 1849 to 1852, American troops were sporadically stationed at Sonoma with many junior officers to later gain fame, particularly, in the Civil War.

From the Best in Sonoma Site:
The Sonoma Plaza is the old town square and the largest of its kind in California. The Plaza's eight acres and the surrounding street grid were laid out by General Mariano Guadelupe Vallejo in 1836, turning Sonoma from a mission town to a Mexican style pueblo. He built the barracks for Mexican army troops at the northeast corner of the plaza across the street from the Sonoma Mission, and his family's first Sonoma home, La Casa Grande, on the west side. For a short time, Sonoma was the center of traffic and trade north of San Francisco. Today the Plaza is lined with charming shops, popular restaurants and Sonoma Valley agricultural specialties, including world-renowned cheeses and wines. Enjoy one of the many events held in the Plaza or relax for a picnic and visit the friendliest ducks in town.



Dedicated in 1908, Sonoma's City Hall in the center of the Plaza was originally designed with four identical facades so that merchants from any side of the square could say the City Hall faced their businesses. Made of basalt stone from local quarries, the City of Sonoma government offices still remain in this central landmark of the valley.



References:

• Wikipedia
  
• National Registry of Historical Places-Documents and Photos
  
• National Registry of Historical Places-Documents and Photos (Boundary Increase Documents)
  
• Best of Sonoma Site
  
• National Park Service description
  
• Noehill
  
• Waymarking
  

Overall Landmark References:

• National Registry of Historical Places (NRHP)
  
• Noehill (NOE)