Planning on taking a nice drive for a little sightseeing this holiday weekend? Don’t wait until you’re out of town. There are historical treasures all around us, reminders of the past – when the railroads and then horseless carriages, brought huge numbers of visitors to the Valley.
El Verano The 19th-century railroad conglomerates did more than carry freight and passengers; they bought and developed land adjacent to their tracks, seeding new towns. El Verano was to be one of those endeavors: it was established in 1888. By 1890, the grand plan had collapsed and investors pulled out. However, a steady stream of new residents discovered the area, starting businesses and farms, and El Verano began to flourish.
The nascent town did not escape the wildness of the post-Prohibition era, and many scandalous and hair-raising tales are told of those cyclone days. Characters such as Baby Face Nelson sought refuge there and the notorious madam Soledad Martinez Smith, known as “Spanish Kitty,” owned a house which became the scene of nightly trysts and gambling. The residence has since regained its respectability and is now a luxury vacation rental called Sonoma Rose Villa.
Arnold Drive Grand Avenue was renamed for World War II Air Force General Henry Harley “Hap” (for his happy smile) Arnold after his death in 1950. Arnold, who first trained with the Wright Brothers, is considered the father of the modern U.S. Air Force, and was the leader of the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a strong supporter of the formation of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. His dream was to farm and after he retired, he planted fruits and vegetables and raised cattle at his home, Rancho Feliz, just west of Agua Caliente.
The Springs For centuries, the waters of Boyes Hot Springs, Fetter’s Hot Springs and Agua Caliente were regarded as medicinal and rejuvenating. As such, “The Springs” have always been an integral part of Sonoma’s lure, and in the early 1900s through the 1930s, family fun and entertainment grew up as an offshoot of the water’s popularity and the resort business exploded. The country air and lifestyle was a magnet for thousands of summer visitors, but over time resorts were destroyed in devastating fires and the railroads suffered declines in revenue, thanks to the advent of the automobile.
Eldridge Most people who take Arnold Drive through the Valley, transit the tree-lined street past the Sonoma Developmental Center, but few realize they are driving through Eldridge. The town was named for Oliver Eldridge, a ship’s captain who was appointed to find a suitable site for the facility. The 1,670 acres were purchased in 1889 from U.S. Senator William McPherson Hill for $51,000. The facility opened in 1891 and has expanded several times. Today, the center is the largest employer in the Sonoma Valley.
