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 Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA. It 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 AVA Appellation, as well as the home of the nationally recognized Sonoma Valley Film Festival. Sonoma's population was 9,128 as of the 2000 census.[1]
HistoryOriginsThe 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 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 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. PlazaEl 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. It provides a central tourist attraction. It is also the location of the Farmer's Market, held every Tuesday in the summer. American revolt against Mexican rule Sonoma is known as the birthplace of American 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 during the Mexican-American war. 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. ViticultureSonoma 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. GeographySonoma is located at (38.288771, -122.458884)[3]. The city has an area of 2.65 sq mi (6.9 km²), none of it covered by water.[1] The city is situated in the Sonoma Valley, with the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west, with the prominent landform Sears Point to the southwest. The following areas are nearby:
ClimateSonoma has typical Mediterranean weather with hot, dry summers (although nights are comfortably cool) and cool, wet winters. In January, the normal high is 58.4 °F (14.7 °C) and the normal low is 37.3 °F (2.9 °C). In July, the normal high is 89.8 °F (32.1 °C) and the normal low is 51.9 °F (11.1 °C). There are an average of 58.1 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and 12.1 days with highs of 100 °F (38 °C). The highest temperature on record was 116 °F (47 °C) on July 13, 1972, and the lowest temperature was 13 °F (−11 °C) on December 22, 1990. Normal annual precipitation is 30.64 inches (778 mm). The wettest month on record was 20.29 inches (515 mm) in January 1995. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 6.75 inches (171 mm) on January 4, 1982. There are an average of 68.6 days with measurable precipitation. Snowfall has rarely fallen, but snow flurries were observed on February 5, 1976.[4] Environmental featuresThe principal watercourse in the town is Sonoma Creek, which flows in a southerly direction to discharge ultimately to the Napa Sonoma Marsh; Arroyo Seco Creek is a tributary to Schell Creek with a confluence in the eastern portion of the town. 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 consist of a slight alluvial terrace underlain by strongly cemented sedimentary and volcanic rock.[5] 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 (366 m) 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 (13 km) 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. DemographicsAs of the latest census[1] of 2000, there were 9,128 people, 4,373 households, and 2,361 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,442/sq mi (1,330/km²). There were 4,671 housing units at an average density of 1,762/sq mi (681/km²). 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. PoliticsIn the state legislature Sonoma is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Pat Wiggins, and in the 6th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman. Federally, Sonoma is located in California's 1st congressional district. MediaThe primary local news source is the Sonoma Index-Tribune, a twice-weekly newspaper. Also serving the area is the Sonoma Valley Sun, a free weekly newspaper founded in 2004 that is published by Threehouse Multimedia. El Sol de Sonoma is the Spanish-language sister publication to the Sun. Notable residentsJack London (1876-1916) 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. The writer lived for many years in the nearby town of Glen Ellen. 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. Count Agoston Haraszthy, the father of California viticulture, created the first winery west of the Mississippi. He tried many locations (including Wisconsin!) 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. 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).B.R. Cohn: Vintner, winery owner, producer of olive oils and vinegars, and business manager for the The Doobie Brothers. Mr. Cohn hosts a yearly charitable concert most often featuring The Doobie Brothers and others. 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]. 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. Sebastiani Family: Family patriarch, Samuele Sebastiani, started Sebastiani Vineyards in 1904. His son, August, ran the company from 1944 to the late 1970's, when his son Sam took the reins. August died in 1980. In 1986, after a failed attempt at running for California State Controller, August's youngest son, Don Sebastiani, took the company from about 200,000 cases to just shy of 8 million cases produced in 1999, at which time he sold a number of assets to Constellation Wines. Don then left the old family company and he, along with his sons, Donny & August, started Don Sebastiani & Sons in 2000. Sebastiani Vineyards is currently under the direction of Sam & Don's sister, Mary Ann Sbastiani Cuneo, and is still family owned and operated at its original location, just east of the Sonoma Plaza. Don's son, August Sebastiani, was elected to the Sonoma City Council in 2006. Robin Williams famous actor and comedian. Other topicsHistoric sites
Items named after the town
Points of interest
References
External links
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