Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Redwood Township 1880
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 27, 2006, 4:38 am

Book Title: History Of Sonoma County

REDWOOD.

   Redwood is in the very heart of the timber country, and is bounded on the
north and east by Mendocino township, on the south by Bodega and Analy, and on
the west by Ocean. Through its center the Russian river, now expanded to a
considerable breadth, finds its tortuous way, while along its banks grow the
mightiest of those trees from whence the township took its name. This part of
the district is known as the Big Bottom, and here stood the finest timber in the
State, for four miles along the line of the stream being covered by a dense
growth of these trees, which in the best localities would yield, it is said,
lumber to the vast amount of eight hundred thousand feet to the acre. The
largest tree in the bottom measured eighteen feet in diameter, and produced one
hundred and eighty thousand feet of lumber while the tallest of them was three
hundred and forty-four feet nine inches in height. Immediately above the site of
the present town of Guerneville, there stood a hollow stump, wherein it was
estimated twenty horses could easily stand.

   GUERNEVILLE.—This is the only town in Redwood township, and is purely a
lumber manufacturing center. It is situated on the Russian river, sixteen miles
north-west of Santa Rosa, and was originally settled by R. B. Lunsford, on May
1, 1860. Connecting it with the main line is a branch of the San Francisco and
North Pacific Railroad which run* from Fulton, and connects the great central
valley of Sonoma county with the prolific timber section. This route, as well as
being used for the immense lumber interests, offers an opportunity for tourists
to visit the redwood trees of Sonoma, which are second only to the large timbers
of Calaveras and Mariposa.

   Methodist Episcopal Church.—This place of worship was constructed in May,
1875, and dedicated in June of that year. The building is twenty-eight by
forty-four feet, and was erected at a cost of twelve hundred dollars. There is a
present membership of about twenty, while Rev. J. L. Burchard, who preaches
twice a month, is pastor.

   Christian Church.—This church was organized in the month of July, 1879, the
charter members being twenty-six in number; the membership at the present
writing being thirty-six. This congregation have as yet no church building of
their own; service is therefore held on each Sunday in Independence Hall, by
Elder Briggs. In connection with the Christian Church, there is a Sunday School,
having an average attendance of from fifty to eighty scholars, under the
superintendence of J. M. Martz.

   Redwood Lodge No. 281, I. O. O. F.—This Lodge was organized April 3, 1879,
with the following charter members: Samuel E. Baxter, James Pell, August Ekburn,
William H. Bowier, Charles McBee, Edward Stallard; the original officers being
Samuel Baxter, N. G.; William Bowier, V. G.; Edward Stallard Secretary. The
membership is thirty-six, and the present officers, Samuel Baxter, N. G.; M. A.
McPeak, V. G.; N. E. Manning, Secretary; Bradford Bell, Treasurer: Days of
meeting, every Friday.

   Heald & Guerne's Saiv and Planing Mill.—These gentlemen commenced business on
the site of their present mill in the year 18G5. In the Winter of 1867, however,
the original structure was carried away by the overflowing of Russian river,
therefore they built their present establishment, which has a capacity of
producing twenty thousand feet of lumber per day, finding a ready sale for most
of it within the county, and for the balance in Napa, Lake, and San Francisco.
The saw-mill is kept running during eight months of the year, it, with the
adjacent redwoods, furnishing employment for about fifty men. In connection with
the saw-mill, the manufacture of mouldings and such-like work is carried on
extensively. Belonging to the firm there are seven hundred acres of timber land,
not to be excelled in California. Heald & Guerne have an office in the town of
Guerneville, lumber yards at Cloverdale and San Rafael, Marin county, besides
having a large shed at Fulton, the point where the railroad leaves the main line
for the redwood country.

   Chair Factory.—This industry, of which Florence and Bruner are proprietors,
was established in 1874, by S. W. Faudre, and passed into-the hands of its
present owners in October 1877. The establishment has a capacity of
manufacturing about seventy chairs per day, the machinery being run with an
eight-horse-power engine. The timber used in this business is principally
mountain and live oak, while the seats are made of rawhide strips. A ready sale
is found for this article of furniture throughout the county and vicinity.
Amount of capital invested, two thousand dollars.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY
—OF-
SONOMA COUNTY,
-INCLUDING ITS—
Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams;
—TOGETHER WITH—
A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and
Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original
Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular
Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County;
Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain
 Growing Interests, and Pisciculture;
ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
—AND OF ITS—
Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED.

SAN FRANCISCO:
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1880.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by ALLEY, BOWEN & Co.,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

PACIFIC PRESS,
Oakland, Cal. Printers., Stereotypers and Binders.

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