Historic Locales ~ Surprise Guests
Be prepared... you are about to enter the Twilight...
Twenty or so Sunrisers and friends gathered Saturday on a perfect hiking day led by retired Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith for a tour of Santa Rosa's (nee Franklin) Rural Cemetery and historic McDonald District.
In the shadow of a tree likely planted after his body was. visage of Mr. McDonald himself narrates tales of the local past.
A docent with the Rural Cemetery. he brings the past to life. Situated on Franklin Avenue ~ who knew that name would be eclipsed by Santa Rosa following the baptism of a girl named Rosa in the arroyo along now Brush Creek and Highway 12!
Stately, graciously restored and upgraded, Mapleton, the estate built in the late 1800's by Mr. McDonald at 1501 McDonald Avenue is a definite showcase of period craftsmanship, landscaping beauty and value of historic preservation. Surviving the 1906 and 1969 quakes which hit Santa Rosa hard, Mapleton's resilience speaks well of its original builders. We came to learn that Santa Rosa sustained more loss per capita in the 1906 quake than San Francisco, whose damage from subsequent fire surpassed the seismic collapses.
Chris Smith points to another house on McDonald Avenue, this one the selected backdrop for the 1943 Alfred Hitchcock thriller "Shadow of a Doubt". Watch it: one of the actresses is the then child Natalie Wood, another Santa Rosa classic.
From McDonald Avenue Chris led us along Fourth Street towards Courthouse Square. Midway, at College Avenue Chris recounted the site of Grace Brothers Brewery owners mansion once on the site now occupied by Grocery Outlet Garden Market, nee Safeway.
Fortunate for everyone, George Dutton, friend of Stacey Drucker Andress and lifelong Sonoma County native added his knowledge of development milestones including the 1969 quake which he said wiped out downtown, the 101 freeway project and business pressure not to direct alignment towards Fulton, and several anecdotes regarding real estate developer Hugh Codding. Chris told how the wrecking ball demolition for the Courthouse was ineffective in toppling the well built edifice. The contractor apparently went bankrupt trying to raze it. Other more successful building relocations include the Post Office from Third Street to its location now on Seventh.
For additional information and photos of the Rural Cemetery including volunteer opportunities, check out the QR code below or click HERE!
After the nearly three mile walking tour, lunch at Grossman's Noshery on Railroad Square was very welcome!
Everyone including Sophia, the Calistoga canine Goldendoodle appreciated the great food and foot rest before the three mile return trek to their cars.
Thank you to Marty and Mark for organizing a delightful tour, and to Chris and everyone who added to local legend and fact!
