If you have traveled through Boyes Hot Springs recently, you may have noticed the dramatic changes happening at the Plaza Center building (often referred to as The Church Mouse building). The history of the site is fascinating. The building has been home to a public library, medical offices, a drug store, and has always been a post office. The condition of the building has shifted along with most of the Springs. Today, it is owned by the John and Mary Metallinos Trust, and managed by their son, Jack.
Over the past several months, I have met with Jack, and we talked about the building, community, the proposed plaza, and more. We discussed the overall vision for a Community Hub for the area, which will be defined and designed through community meetings as part of the Springs Specific Planning Grant.
Jack Metallinos is rooted in the values of family and community; therefore, he was completely open to making a significant investment in the building and in doing so, invested in the vision. We connected him with Elisa Stancil, internationally known color specialist. Elisa was onsite within four hours, donating all of her time and talent. She and Jack made fast work of the project. Wow – what a difference the change in color makes to the entire intersection, sparking community conversations about what else could happen.
I am working with Transportation and Public Works (TPW) to improve the parking lot and road around it as we plan for a future plaza. Karen Waikiki has submitted her plans for a fresh pizzeria to PRMD, and it is everyone’s hope that by this time next year, this neighborhood center will look and feel completely different.
I love this story because it is a perfect example of public, private and community advocates working together. Connecting parties and stewarding this along to reality has once again shown the level of passion for the Springs from many different corners. Bravo to the many people involved in this project. Thank you most of all to the Metallinos family.
The story of the Plaza Center Building site is an integral part of the history of the Springs – a rich history that compels us to love and support the success of the area in whatever way possible.
History
The Boyes Springs area was known as Agua Rica (“Rich Water”) for many decades and was often used by both Spaniards and Native American tribes. It was not commercially developed until 1840, when Dr. T.M. Leavenworth acquired the property, only to sell to English immigrant Captain Henry E. Boyes in 1895. In 1876, Northwestern Railroad reached Sonoma Valley and in the 1880s and the tourism boom begun.
Boyes established the Boyes Hot Springs Hotel and during construction, he struck a well that produced spring water of 112 degrees. The arrival of a railroad station directly in front of his establishment, now the current site of the Plaza Center Building, aided Boyes’ success.
In 1911, the railroad station and hotel were joined by a post office at the site of the old Uncle Paddy’s. Collectively, the area became known as Boyes Springs and over time, the name Agua Rica faded into history.
Things changed when automobiles entered the Valley via ferries from San Francisco that previously were exclusive for rail passengers. On June 5, 1919, Sonoma Valley Auto Stage Line was granted permission by the Railroad Commission to operate passenger cars between San Rafael and Agua Caliente, over the objections of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. While the Northwestern continued to operate a train that stopped at Boyes until 1942, clearly it was the end of an era.
In 1923, Boyes Hot Springs suffered a tragic fire that wiped out most of the area, including the hotel, post office and many homes. The hotel was rebuilt a few years later, but the Great Depression was rough on the tourism economy, and it fell into receivership and disrepair. The U.S. Navy used it for “RnR” during WWII and for many years, it seemed the grandeur was gone.
After the railroad tore up the rails in 1942, the site became run down, until in 1951, Italian immigrant Amadeo B. Peluffo announced the contract for the “Peluffo Plaza Center” building at a cost of $50,000. The building fronted the Sonoma Mission Inn and in 1956, the second part of the Plaza Center Building was constructed facing Highway 12.
In 1970, John and Mary Metallinos purchased the building. The Metallinos family owned and operated the two Fruit Basket stores for decades. Mary was born in San Francisco to Greek immigrants who arrived here in 1896 and John emigrated from Greece in 1945. Their story is an American tale of chance followed by hard work and success. They married, had three children, Elizabeth, Sophia and Jack, and settled in southern Sonoma Valley. Both businesses were sold in the early 1980s, but the family continued to invest in the community and retained ownership of the properties.
It’s interesting to think of the site first being developed by an English immigrant, built upon by an Italian immigrant, purchased by a Greek immigrant, and today serves a large Hispanic immigrant population. Each group invested in the area; each made a difference. It is the value of diverse voices that makes the Springs an eclectic, vibrant, and vital place.
Planning Commission Meeting on Vacation Rentals
When: Thursday, November 19th, 2015
Time: 5:30pm
Where: Board of Supervisors Chambers. 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Purpose: the County Planning Commission will hear more public comment as it continues to work on recommendations for updating the Vacation Rental Ordinance. The meeting will be held in the evening to accommodate people who work. Please come and make your voice heard. Modifications to the Vacation Rental Ordinance will then come to the Board of Supervisors in December.
For more information, contact my office (565.2411) or visit http://www.sonoma-county.org/prmd/docs/vacrent/.
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