The success of the resort founded by Henry and Antoinette Boyes proved to be an example to others. In 1907, a couple from Pittsburg (Emma was originally from Austria) by way of San Francisco, George and Emma Fetters, bought the old Halstead ranch just a mile north of the Boyes’ property. Robert Halstead (“a wealthy sugar planter from Hawaii” according to the Index Tribune) had bought the property from E.P. Thomson, who planted olive trees on it in the 1880s. Many of those now large trees are still there.
The Halstead property crossed the Northwest Pacific railway line and Sonoma Creek, just south of Agua Caliente. Some early post cards identify its location as Agua Caliente. The boundaries were flexible. Map courtesy of the Rumsey Collection.Courtesy Dennis O’ Rourke
George had been in the hotel business in Pittsburg. The money for the land and the ambition to open a resort were mostly Emma’s. The next year they opened Fetters Hot Springs Resort. Soon after, they leased their resort to Morris Levy, a prize fight promoter from San Francisco, who renamed it Eleda Hot Springs.
1907
The Fetters took over operation again in 1911. In 1913, apparently bearing a grudge over losing the lease to the resort, Levy testified in opposition to a liquor license being granted to Fetters. They received the license, but this would not be the first time the Fetters got into legal trouble over liquor. In 1918 they were tried for the offense of providing liquor to enlisted men (a crime under the War Emergency Act.)
Testifying in their defense were “Fred Boyngton, the well known lumber yard man, E.G. Koenig of Boyes Springs, and Lillian the “entertainer,” among others.” Despite Lillian, both Fetters were convicted, but George’s conviction was overturned on appeal. Emma’s sentence was later commuted. Both George and Emma were in and out of court many times, being sued for damages by resort guests, and once for libel.
The Fetters were constantly improving the resort, bringing in moving pictures in 1923, sidewalks in 1924,and a new dance hall in 1925. George donated the land for the Boyes Springs ball field, and at its dedication in 1940, he threw out the first ball.
According to the Index Tribune, Emma Fetters was “an energetic woman of wealth and enterprise.” The Fetters built not only the resort, with its hotel, swimming pavilion and theater, but the Fetters Depot of the Northwest Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Fetters also owned much real estate in the area, and once owned the Chauvet Hotel in Glen Ellen.
In 1923 a movie company came to town and shot some scenes in and around Fetters Resort (and that’a another story!)
The resort era continued into the 1950s and beyond. Photo courtesy of Sonoma County Library.
The notorious and beloved, by some, Juanita Musson operated her restaraunt in the hotel from 1969 to 1975. I havn’t written a post soley devoted to Juanita, yet, but more here.
The hotel burned down in 1975.
In 2009 this was all that was left of Fetters Resort. It appears to be “Bachelors Row,” shown above. I met Juanita when she lived in one of these cabins. Authors photo.
Emma Fetters died in 1922, of pneumonia. George was a prominent member of the community and continued to run the resort until he sold in 1944. He died in 1964. Interesting that the gravestone omits the S at the end of the name.
Fetters Resort is well photo-documented. A few bonus images below.
A curiosity of early 20th century postcards from the Boyes Hot Springs resort are labeled “Harmonie Ausflug.” “Harmonie Ausflug” is not the name of a specific society but of the activity: the Harmonie (singing society, choral group,) takes an outing.
“In Europe’s German-speaking states…male choir organizations started popping up around 1810 and grew in number and prominence over the next half-century. Most were open to people of different social classes and focused on the idea of educating people and spreading middle-class values-though, by the 1860s, some were specifically “workers choirs,” affiliated with socialist and labor movements.
However, for many regular German Americans, this wasn’t really the point of the festivals. They showed up to enjoy romantic or humorous folk songs, eat childhood foods, drink beer, and reminisce about the old country.” and,
“German American singing festivals included both highbrow and lowbrow features.”
The Harmonie Ausflug post cards clearly represent the choristers indulging in the “lowbrow features.”
Animal costumes were favored. Dated 1909 on front.
An actual animal.
Not just singers, but a marching band!
“My wife’s husband has gone to the country “but oh you Kid!”
Taking the waters at Boyes.
A zeppelin (invented by Ferdinand von Zeppelin, don’t ya know)? Seems to be hanging from a cable over the pool.
All photos, dated 1909, are by the prolific Charles Weidner.
“You may have heard that I am starting a new historic walking tour in your neighborhood. It is called the Agua Rica Tour. I was asked to create such a tour…that will take place solely on the grounds of the Sonoma Mission Inn….by the new general Manager Karim Ikrimah last year.
Since then, CW Bayer and I have delved deeply into the historical record….and am now good friends with Reverend Leavenworth, Capt. Boyes, and Rudy Lichtenberg. Well…except for Thaddeus Minor Leavenworth….no one could be actual friends with him….”
George and CW are well-known actors, historians and radio personalities (yes, we still have radio!) in Sonoma Valley. The tour is an absolute blast! Our history is full of great characters, and these guys really bring them to life.
The tour runs Friday through Monday, starts at 10AM, and adult admission is $25, kids free.
A historic walking tour of Boyes Hot Springs requires a bit of imagination: Many buildings are gone, but they have left traces in the form of photographs and other artifacts, as well as memories. Some day you will be invited to participate, in The Real World, as they say. (Click to enlarge images.)
Martin Kellog Cady was born in New London Connecticut in 1847. From the History of New London County, Connecticut (1882), a biographical sketch of the elder Martin K. Cady, who was a prominent businessman in New London in the mid 19th century, listing his children, says “Martin Kellog, eldest son, is assistant coiner at the United States Mint at San Francisco, and has been for some years. He married Jeannie B. daughter of Hon. Charles Gorham, of Marysville, CA.” The book was published in 1882 but must have been written earlier because our M K Cady had left the Mint and settled in Sonoma Valley by 1881.
In that year the Index Tribune tells us, “M.K. Cady, formerly of the San Francisco mint, buys Alexander farm,” and that it is “Located on the Santa Rosa and Sonoma road, about three miles from the pioneer city.(Sonoma)” Also in 1882, Cady established a distillery and wine cellar (see map), built of stone from a “quarry on his own farm in the “Flowery” district.”
Map from Jeff Gilbert’s collection.Jeff’s map superimposed on the Google map. The resort was located at the intersection of the current Highway 12 and Agua Caliente Road, then called Santa Rosa Avenue. The winery and distillery were on Hooker Avenue, named for General Joseph Hooker, of Civil War fame, who was an early land owner in the area. The Agua Caliente Resort site was later known as Hooker Oaks. Today, the Sonoma Valley Fire Department station is there. The road at upper right is labeled “To Hooker Falls, 3 miles.” Click to enlarge.From a scrapbook at the Marcy House archives, date and author unknown.
An advertisement in the Index Tribune in June of 1885 informs that the Agua Caliente Hotel, under the proprietorship of M. K. Cady will be opening in June of that year, so the resort was founded between 1881 and 1885.
An puff piece in an 1889 issue of the Index Tribune read, in part, “the famous health-giving springs, delightful location and basalt block interests of this progressive little village is destined at no distant day to make it a place of considerable importance. The town was laid out a little over a year ago (incorrect!) by M.K. Cady, one of Sonoma Valley’s most energetic and public-spirited men. The railroad runs through the place which boasts of an express office, post office, schoolhouse, hotel general merchandising store, butcher shop, and a blacksmiths shop. During the spring and summer months the Agua Caliente Springs Hotel is crowded with health and pleasure seekers who come to lave in its health restoring water and bask in never failing sunshine and balmy breezes. An Episcopal Church will be erected a Agua Caliente this summer.”
In 1888 Cady sells to the Verano Land Company: “M.K. Cady of Agua Caliente has sold his hotel property and villa sites in that town to the Verano Land Company. Mr. Cady retains his winery and some forty acres of choice vineyard and will build a residence on the heights overlooking the wine cellar.” (This could be the site that became Keaton’s Shack.) After six months, Cady takes the property back. It seems, it has been closed the entire time “owing to a disagreement among the directors, who have been fighting like cats and dogs…” The Verano Land Company developed the “towns” of Verano and El Verano. Their brochure touting the developments is priceless early 20th century hype.
In 1888 Cady runs for county supervisor and is elected. The Index Triubne says “Mr. Cady is the right man in the right place and the people of Sonoma and Vallejo Townships ought to congratulate themselves on having so able a man to look after their affairs at the county seat”
New road leading to the new bridge over Sonoma Creek at Verano.
Also in 1888 “A petition was received from citizens of Sonoma road district praying for a new road from the iron bridge across Sonoma creek at Sonoma to the town of El Verano, and for the abandonment of the old road from the old bridge to where the same connects with Petaluma Avenue. On motion of Mr. Coulter, the same was received and placed on file, the accompanying bond approved and W. K. Nichols, M.K. Cady and G. C. P. Sears were appointed to view and lay out said proposed new road and report at the next meeting.” Please see The Arroyo of Arroyo Road
Interestingly, in 1891 the IT opined “(Cady’s) hotel is located in one of the most picturesque spots in California, and is destined at no distant day to be to this State what Saratoga is to New York.” However, they weren’t reckoning with Calistoga, which was so named because it was deemed the Saratoga of California.
All was not smooth sailing for Mr. Cady. In a September 1893 article in the IT headlined ”Agua Caliente Post Office Squabble. Cady and Morris on Top-Postmaster John Austin Down and in Jail,” we learn that Austin was the owner of a general store in Agua Caliente, which housed the post office. He also ran a bar that competed with Cady’s. Morris was the “mail Messenger” responsible for carrying the mail from the railroad depot to the Post Office. Morris and Austin had bad blood between them stemming from a fist fight the previous July. Morris and Cady wanted to get the Post Office moved to Cady’s’ resort. They accused Austin of opening their mail, and Austin was arrested and taken to jail in San Francisco. Austin claimed he was framed in order get the post office away from him.
That November, Cady was indeed appointed by President Cleveland to be post master of Agua Caliente, “a little old one-horse affair, the salary amounting to from $3 to $5 per month.” In October the story took a strange turn as Austin, having written to his wife in Agua Caliente that he would be home the next day, disappeared. Then, on April 7, 1894: “The Santa Rosa Republican is authority for the statement that John Austin, ex Postmaster of Agua Caliente, near this place, recently fell from a scaffold in a town in South America and sustained injuries that resulted in his death.”
Circa 1930
Apparently Cady defaulted on his mortgage in 1895. “A Mr. Dean of San Francisco took possession this week of the Agua Caliente Springs ranch to satisfy a mortgage of $25,000 executed by the former owner, M,K. Cady, who has been in possession of the property for over fifteen years {making Cady’s arrival in the valley no later than 1879}. The Hotel, swimming baths, wine cellar and hotel grounds have been disposed of by Mr. Dean to Dr. Nordin of Alameda, who will improve the hotel and grounds and conduct the same as a first class summer resort and sanitarium. Mr. Cady has leased for the present the handsome cottage which was erected near the wine cellar a few years ago by Mr. McGrew of San Francisco.”
However, Doctor and Mrs. Nordin did not see eye-to-eye. Shortly after he purchased the resort and investing $30,000 of her money in refurbishing it, Mrs. Nordin sued her husband, whom she says took her money under false pretenses and she wanted it back.
The Index Tribune, after saying that Mr. Cady “ran the resort into the ground,” informs us that Cady was appointed receiver of the property during the law suit!
“The bondsmen for M. K. Cady, who was appointed receiver of the Agua Caliente Springs by Judge Crawford, are J. B. Moris and Horace Appleton. Each swears he was worth $3000 over and above his just debts and qualified for $6,000 double the amount of the bond.”
The story continues. September 1895, “The Nordin case, which is the all absorbing topic of conversation in this valley, was resumed in the Superior Court last Monday. It will be recollected that last week Judge Crawford put and injunction on the Agua Caliente springs Resort, appointed M. K. Cady receiver of the property, and accepted as his bondsmen H.B. Morris and Horace Appleton.
Later court action: “The proceedings Monday was devoted to filing a motion to dissolve the injunction….” Nordin alleges that Cady is insolvent, and “that…during the greater portion of the time since his appointment as receiver (has been) under the influence of intoxicants.”
Nordin continues to allege that Cady has fired all the staff and put his wife, daughter, niece on the payroll, and “that the Cady tribe has taken up their abode on the promises.”
Additionally “The affidavit says the order appointing Cady as receiver covers all the personal property on the premised and that some of the guests at the hotel wish to leave, and that Mr. Cady has refused to let them have their trunks and wearing apparel”!
November 9, 1895-The Nordin suit was continued. “The property is still in the hands of Trustee Cady. Dr. Nordin is residing in San Francisco and Mrs. Nordin is the guest of Alameda friends.”
April 11, 1896, the suit is settled with Dr. Nordin getting $1000 and Mrs. Nordin getting the property, but no word of what happened to the “Cady Tribe.” Mrs. Nordin continued running the resort. Details are in short supply. The magnificent hotel burned some time before 1916, when the new, stone building was built.
The “new” Agua Caiente Hotel, built in 1916, still stands in 2024
Martin Kellog Cady died November 18, 1903, in San Francisco.
All quotes are from the Sonoma Index Tribune unless otherwise noted.
Sonoma Index Tribune and many images courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society
The Agua Caliente Resort, and vicinity, was well documented by photographers. The following is a slide show of some of those photos and post cards.
I started posting on this website in July 2014. I have striven to post every month, and I’m close to that goal. Ten years and nearly six months in, I’m still enthusiastic and have many more topics to investigate. I’m currently working on an article about M.K. Cady, the founder of Agua Caliente, and his resort, but it won’t be done this month. In the meantime, enjoy some of the images I have collected. All are from 1912-1915.
Bathers at Boyes Hot Springs, 1917Circa 1910sLooks like the Fetters Resort pool. Quite a genteel setting! C.A. Payne is the photographer. Thanks to Dennis O’Rorke for the photo.Front and back of a card, photo by Isabel Porter Collins, born in Petaluma, 1875, died 1954. Artist, photographer, jewelry designer, teacher. Extensively documented Bay Area places and people in the first half of the 20th century.
The Depot Hotel, not the one on First Street West in Sonoma, was located on Agua Caliente Road and Lake Street in Agua Caliente. It was probably preceded by Annie’s Resort at the same location, which David Luzzi listed in his liquor application in 1939. Luzzi was listed as the proprietor of the Hotel in an ad in the IT in 1945.
This is the only image I have. I received it from Laura Rondou, a Luzzi descendant.These full page ads listing the sponsors of charitable (usually) events are invaluable lists of local businesses. The Depot Hotel is upper left.
Annie’s had gained some ink in the Index Tribune as far back as 1932, when two men, one of whom, Joaquin “Duke” Faber, know as “The Sheppard of the Hills,” was arrested there for the alleged molestation of girls from the Sonoma State Home (later known as the Sonoma Developmental Center.) According to the IT two of the ”victims, decided Monday to pay a visit to “their Shepherd” and stole away from home under cover of darkness. They reached the home in the hills shortly before midnight, following the railroad tracks from the home, using a map furnished them by another inmate who had visited the ”temple of the Shepherd” on previous occasions.”!
The girls later confessed to their transgression. The two accused men denied any involvement with the girls. “When the men were arrested at Annie’s Resort, near Agua Caliente, the officers were surrounded by a group of Mexicans and Indians who demanded the reasons for the arrest of their two pals. Officers rushed the men into awaiting automobiles and brought them to the county jail.” As we used to say, this story is “one for the screenplay!”
Faber’s trial date was set for later in 1932. The outcome is unknown as of this writing, however he was sentenced to 90 days for stealing chickens in 1941.
In 2017, Robert Singleton shared this on Facebook: “A little history of the OK corral on Agua Caliente. and Lake St. Originally the Depot Hotel. In or about 1948 (actually 1942) the trains stopped running and it sat abandoned until 1951 when my Dad and Mom bought the old hotel and about 4 acres. My older brother built or remodeled a house under the water tower and lived there. In 1961. Or 62. Jim Doyle and Eddie Hadem rented the Depot hotel and stated the OK Corral. my Mother sold the buildings to Mr.and Mrs Bates. They owned the place for about 10 years. End of my recall.”
The only mention of the OK Corral I found is of the building being for sale in 1966. The ad called it “roomy and historical.”
David Luzzi died in april of 1955 in Ukaih. His wife Cecilia, co-proprietor of the Hotel, had died in 1954 in Sonoma.
Index Tribune courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society.
Jean Marie Cazes was born in Nestier,France in 1867. He arrived in the US in 1883 (aboard the ship Chateau Lafitte!). After spending a significant amount of time in New York, working in the wine business, he decamped for California and the Valley of the Moon in 1920.
In 1922, Jean and Genevieve Cazes started construction of their new resort on the Sonoma Highway in Fetters Hot Springs. In April of that year, according to the Index Tribune, “The new hotel and café being erected for Mr. and Mrs. Jean Cazes on the highway near Fetters, is nearing completion. The Cazes sold their resort in the hills and are to engage in business in the new quarters. A twenty-five room hotel and grill will provide fine accommodations for guests and a good season is expected.” The name of their “resort in the hills” is unknown as of this writing.
Prohibition being the law of the land, raids of public establishments became common. The Index Tribune (via the S.F. Chronicle) tells us, in September of 1922, under the headline “Prohibition Agents Raid Springs Resorts,” Jean Cazes was arrested along with some other resort proprietors. He eventually received a $250 fine for his transgressions.
By 1924, Jean Cazes had sold his resort to a Domenico Rovigna, who conitunued business under the Cazes name. (However, a 1942 article about a robbery at the resort, calls Mrs. Cazes “the proprietor.” It also erroneously calls her “Mrs. Doree Cazes.” Her name was Genevieve.)
Jean Cazes died in Fetters Springs in 1941. His obit in the IT said he “was among the first café proprietors in Fetters Springs and…had been prominent in California wine circles before that for many years.”
Genevieve Cazes was also born in France, in 1881, and died in 1970 at her home on Mountain Avenue, Fetters Springs. Her obituary states she was the owner of Maison Doree for fifty-five years, which suggests she still owned it when she died.
The Historic Survey, done for the Redevelopment project in 1984 (below), listed the construction date for the Cazes building as approximately 1915. Dan Petersen, the author of the report, noted , “this collection of early commercial buildings should be restored as contributors to the historic character of this community,” If only this suggestion had been acted on! However, the buildings(s) do exist (in 2024), in highly altered states.
A subsequent Historic Survey done in 2004, listed the construction date as 1925 and the building “the Jean M. and Genevieve Cazes residence.” The authors seem to be unaware of the existence of the resort.
In 2008 I created the Valley of the Moon Main Stem Photo Archive in order to preserve for future artists and historians and folk in general, a snapshot of what the two-mile stretch of highway looked like. It contains over 400 photographs. I donated a copy to the Sonoma County Library and the Sonoma Valley Historical Society, in digital form and on paper.
August 29, 2024From the Valley of the Moon Main Stem photo collage series. Painted photo collage on watercolor paper. 40″x9″. Michael Acker 2009
Index Tribune, first photo, and Historic Resource Reports courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Hisotrical Society. Many thanks to Joan Lounibos for research.
UPDATE! Historian and writer Joan Lounbous contributes this essay detailing more about the Cazes and Prohibition in the Valley. Thank you Joan for the wonderful research and writing:
JEAN MARIE CAZES (1867-1941) –Resort Owner and Bootlegger
Jean Marie CAZES was a wine loving Frenchman who wasn’t going to let a few raids get in between he and his wine glass!
In October 1925, Jean Marie Cazes’ Maison Doree resort in Fetters Springs, just north of Boyes Hot Springs and our El Verano, was raided by the Feds—again: “57 Varieties—Not Pickles—Raid’s Loot. ”If you don’t see what you want, ask for it,” was apparently the slogan of Cazes, resort owner of Sonoma Valley, according to County Detective E W Westphall. Cazes’ bar contained the 57 varieties, more of less, according to Westphall—and he didn’t mean pickles, though it might be called a pickling stock. The detective, leading a squad of county officers, gave out the following list of assorted liquors seized in a raid yesterday: 21 gallons of White Wine, 10 quarts of Red Wine, 2 quarts of Port Wine, 1 quart of Sherry Wine, 1 quart of Vermouth, 2 quarts of Berry Cordial, 1 quart of Creme de Menthe, 1 quart of good Scotch, 1.5 quarts of Jackass. The liquor, which was contained in 30 kegs of various sizes, was hidden all over Cazes’ little resort building, opposite the site of the former Fetters clubhouse, according to Westphall. Cazes will be arrested Monday and is to appear before the local justice court. “ [The Press Democrat Sun, Oct 18, 1925 ·Page 4]
Jean Marie CAZES was born on 16 APR 1867 in Nestier, Bordeaux, France and died on 28 Feb 1941 in Fetters Springs, Sonoma, Valley. He and his wife, —Genevieve Batistine BÉGUÉ m CAZES. (1878–1970) who was born on 8 June 1878 in Hèches (Section de Rebouc), Hautes-Pyrénées, France and died in 1 June 1970 in Fetters Hot Springs, Sonoma Valley, California, —had arrived in the Valley about 1915—just as the our Aunt Annie Lounibos Chauvet (1872-1960) and her brother, our grandfather, Jean Baptiste Lounibos (1873-1929) were losing their own vintner family. (Germain Charles (1870-1913), Jean-Pierre (1840-1917) and Paul Emile (1876-192). Tuberculosis took the brothers, while some say their father died from the shock of Prohibition looming over their heritage.). Our Grandfather Jean Baptiste did not test the Feds, especially since he had a large family to support, and by 1919 he had already closed the Pioneer Liquor Store on Main Street in Petaluma, and opened the IXL Hatchery located on Baker Street, behind their 519 Upham Street home. But he did always keep a keg of Brandy in his cellar.
It is difficult to imagine what Prohibition did to a place like our Valley of the Moon, but Jean Marie Cazes’ story gives us a glimpse into how the wretched Volstead Act played out in a region whose heritage and primary industry had always been the cultivation of the vines—all thanks to a hint from historian Mike Acker of the Springs Museum which proved to open that glimpse into The Valley through those long years of Prohibition. Jean Marie and many of his fellow Frenchmen and neighbors in the valley did not let Prohibition stopped them in their lifestyle. And through the 1920s the Federal agents of the county visited them at least annually. By 1922, the Resort owners of The Springs were already labeled as “notorious” in their operations. [The Prohibition era Jan 17, 1920 – Dec 5, 1933 was the period when the United States prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages.]
As the Turks were attempting to re-gain their foothold in Europe by pushing into Constantinople, on the World front, the San Francisco Journal and Daily Journal of Commerce announced in adjacent headlines that the “Police Campaign Against Bootleg Liquor Is Begun.” Their aim was to raid and close several well-known spots in the City flagrantly violating the Prohibition laws, but also notorious bootleg resorts in Sonoma Valley: Deputy Director C H Wheeler began the investigation into the case of a blind and partially paralyzed man who was found wandering in the neighborhood of San Francisco Hospital. When discovered, he had on his person twenty-four small bottles of wood alcohol whisky which he is believed to have been drinking. (Wood alcohol whisky will cause blindness.). Twelve others were also arrested on this day. Also ordered was the destruction of 625 quarts of “home brew” seized at the Phoenix Bottling Works in Guerrero Street since the bottles were exploding in the government warehouse. Another fellow was arrested for transporting liquor in his automobile. He was fined $150 and his machine was confiscated. By the time they got to the Valley resorts, George Darling of Darling’s resort in Boyes Springs, E Peters of Cabinot resort in Boyes Springs, our Jean Marie Cazes of Maison Doree in Fetters Springs, and J Moore of Shamrock Sun resort in Fetters Springs—were also arrested. [Sep 16, 1922]
The following year, we see that “a fine of $250 was paid by Jean Cazes of Fetters Springs when he appeared in the justice court at Glen Ellen—charge of violating the county Liquor ordinance. ALSO, B Mori–same. [Santa Rosa Republican Feb 14, 1923]
The following year in February 1924, it appears that Jean Marie Cazes was ready to throw in the towel. He is selling lots in Agua Caliente Park, and The Maison Doree is advertised For Sale as well. “Spend your vacations in Sonoma Valley. Two blocks’ walk to station, baths and all amusements. Meet parties at station by appt. Excellent home cooking. Rates $14 per week. JEAN CAZES Prop. Phone 4-F-3 Fetters Spring, CAL.” [Oakland Tribune Jun 22, 1924] But it was only a lease he obtained: “Mr and Mrs Jean M CAZES proprietors of the French resort near Agua Caliente, have leased the property to Domingo Rovigna of South San Francisco, for two years with an option to buy—for $13,000 during lease.” But again, while the two men were celebrating their new transaction at the resort, “the Feds dropped by to pay their respects.” Domingo Rovigna, who purchased Maison Doree, Fetters, last week from Jean Cazes, was charged $300. [Press Democrat Mar 13, 1924 and Petaluma Argus-Courier Mar 28, 1924]
Remarkably, Jean Marie Cazes is also filing papers for his Naturalization (Citizenship) at the same time. Two days later, he is again raided at his resort: 57 Varieties–Not Pickles–Raid’s Loot. “If you don’t see what you want, ask for it,” was Cazes slogan in the bar. Confiscated from stash holes throughout the resort were: 21 gal White Wine, 10 gal Red Wine, 2 qts Port, 1 qt Sherry, 1 qt Vermouth, 2 qts Berry Cordial. 1 qt Creme de Menthe, 1 qt Good Scotch, 1.5 qts Jackass. [ Press Democrat Oct 18, 1925 ]. His fine, this time, was $250 paid four days later when he appeared before M T Vaughan in Santa Rosa.
In 1928, the “Drys again attempted to clean up the Valley, raiding six resorts: Joe/Rose Udvic-Our Resort-El Verano; Jean Cazes–Maison Doree-Fetters, Matthew Bock-Quick Meal Lunch Counter-Fetters; Roy Burchane-Stone House; Carl Steffan-Caliente Villa-; Mrs E Johnson-Italian American Hotel-all Aqua Caliente [Santa Rosa Republican May 7, 1928]. Three of them (the Sonoma Rum Trio) were hauled off to San Francisco to the US Commissioner, Francis Kroll, for selling illicit liquor. This time the fine was a bit steeper: arrested 5 May: Jean Cazes, Matt Bock, and Eva Johnson–$1000 each. All posted the fine. [The Press Democrat May 10, 1928 ]. And so it continued—Arrested last night was John Cazes, 62; he pleaded guilty to possession of small quantities beer, wine and Jackass Brandy $250–along with three others–including Louis Dueret, 28. [Santa Rosa Republican. Sat, Aug 03, 1929]
Jean Marie Cazes died on 28 February 1941, in Fetters Springs, at the age of 73, the beloved husband of Genevieve Cazes and father of Marguerite Cazes. His daughter Marguerite, by then, was married to Jess Reinking, the manager of Spreckles Golf Course, and they lived next door to her parents in Fetters.
One would like to imagine that Jean Marie Cazes’ wife, Genevieve Batistine BÉGUÉ, was removed from the bootlegging activities pf her husband—but that was not quite the case, it seems. In 1928, when Genevieve attempted to apply for citizenship, it was found that her character witness for citizenship, and their neighbor with the Quick Meals Lunch Counter in Fetters, was in jail —for bootlegging. Matt Bock was a regular associate of her husband Jean Marie, at several of their arrests for bootlegging. —“Witness for Naturalization Hearing in Jail—Matt Bock, witness for Genevieve Baistine Cazes of Fetters Springs, was recently arrested for Liquor Possession and his case is pending in the federal courts; her application was continued pending the outcome of Bock’s case.” [Santa Rosa Republican. May 24, 1928]. Due to Bock, May Have to File Anew. If Bock is convicted–Genevieve would have to file a new naturalization application (after maybe a five year wait.). On 24 Jan 1929. She again “Loses Citizenship Application—Bootlegger Bock as Witness. Her application was dismissed without prejudice. She must now wait five years to begin application process again–due to character witness Matt Bock who was found guilty of liquor possession.” [Santa Rosa Republican. Thu, Jan 24, 1929 ·Page 8]
Even after the repeal of Prohibition, Genevieve was getting herself into trouble. “Complaint charging Genevieve B Cazes, who operates a beer parlor at Fetters Springs, had distilled spirits “with intent to sell.” Only has a beer license. ALSO–Four more stills seized in Valley. [Santa Rosa Republican. Tue, Feb 18, 1936 ·Page 5]
Three years later, when she again tried to apply for citizenship (Naturalization) she drew the ire of Judge Comstock: “Widely known Sonoma Valley woman, Genevieve Cazes of Fetters Springs, wife of a resort owner—was insistent she had never run afoul of the law. Her false statements were confronted by Judge Comstock with evidence—of two arrests. Application was continued. [Petaluma Argus-Courier Jan 19, 1939]. Eighteen months later she applied again and was confronted, again,—this time by Judge Geary: “Judge Geary denied application for citizenship by Genevieve Cazes due to false information on her application that she had never been arrested. She was warned to tell the truth when she fills out new application next year. Geary warned her that “the truth is one of the first requisites of citizenship.” She may file again next year. [Santa Rosa Republican. May 11-12, 1939]. Genevieve was finally admitted to citizenship in Nov 1942 by Judge Geary.
Four years later, Genevieve re-married, on 7 May 1946. “Justin Coulier, 59, of Sonoma, and Genevieve Bastistine Cazes, 63, of Fetters Springs.” “Widely known residents of Sonoma Valley are Mrs Genevieve B Cazes, Fetters Springs, and Justin Coulier, Sonoma, who has operated a resort near Sonoma. The bride, a widow, is conducting a cafe and resort once conducted by her former husband. [Press Democrat May 8, 1946]
Justin Coulier had been a Hotel Keeper (Hotel Arno and Hotel Idora) in San Francisco prior to his move to Sonoma in about 1923 with his first wife Marie Delbruc (1886-1942) They had purchased the old Maurel Villa (formerly owned by the late John Maurel.) In 1933, we see them developing an artesian well on the property which was located on a lane opposite Sonoma Valley High School. The well was said “to have sulphur qualities.“ The new proprietor, Justin Coulier, says the artesian well has wonderful flow—like the waters of The Springs section of Sonoma Valley. Fountains, pools, and bathing are contemplated. [Petaluma Argus-Courier Feb 09, 1933 from Index-Tribune]
Justin lists his profession as Farmer in the June 1940 Census, but in August 1940, we read: “Brandy Still Seized at Sonoma, when the Feds raided the ranch of Justin Coulier on a lane opposite Sonoma Valley High School, south of Sonoma. They discovered there a 5 gal still and untaxed brandy. Pleaded guilty-$100 fine or 50 days jail. [Petaluma Argus-Courier Thu, Aug 15, 1940]
So—when Genevieve Batistine BÉGUÉ w’d CAZES married Justin COULIER in 1946, we see that she was continuing on with her numerous bootlegging associations. Justin did not last long though, dying in Sonoma on 10 Jan 1950 at the age of 62. Genevieve lived on for another twenty years, still working at her Cazes’ Maison Doree Restaurant (French and Italian Dinners) in Fetters Springs. She died at her home at 95 Mountain Avenue on 1 June 1970, at the age of 89 years. She had lived in The Valley for 58 years and had been owner of Cazes Maison Doree restaurant for 55 years. (Curiously, also listed near her obituary is one for Rosa Kruschwitz, 86, also of 95 Mountain Avenue in Fetters Springs. A native of Germany, with one daughter Freida Hagan. Rosa had lived in Sonoma Valley for 49 years. Living at the same address with Genevieve, Rosa had died the day before Genevieve.) [JAL Sept 2024—with special thanks to Michael Acker, Artist and Director of the Springs Museum in Sonoma Valley. Mike has written further information of Jean Marie Cazes, especially regarding his earlier life, in a biography posted in August 2024 on The Springs website]
This is not meant to be an exhaustive survey of everybody who ever photographed in Sonoma Valley. (Here I’m focusing on the resort towns of Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, Agua Caliente, and El Verano.) That will have to come when we mount an exhibition on the topic at the Sonoma Valley History Museum in Depot Park.
“Grand Credit Auction Sale, 500 Town Lots!, 700 Acres Colony Lots and Villa Sites” says the sign.
Carleton Watkins
Probably the most noted photographer to document a part of the Valley was Carleton Watkins (1829-1916), who was engaged in 1887 by George Maxwell to make a portfolio of images as a tool to help sell land in El Verano. A great deal of hubbub was created touting this tract. Free trains excursions from San Francisco were offered to potential buyers. Streets were platted and an elaborate map was issued. The land boom collapsed, however; money was lost, and only a few streets remained, until El Verano pulled itself up by its bootstraps again. There was almost nothing there but fields, oak trees and a few farms when Watkins visited El Verano. The railroad was the most important thing happening. See the El Verano Historical Society for more images.
Postcard Photographers
Agua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs, and El Verano, sometimes known as The Springs, in the unincorporated part of the Valley of the Moon, California ( adjacent to Sonoma), has been a resort destination since the 1880s. People went there (and still do) on vacation, to take the waters and bath in the sun. Tourists like to have photographic memories of their joyous time, so many photographers published postcards of the resorts and people enjoying them.
The names of the photographers are mostly known. The stories behind the names are known for some and some are obscure (as of this writing.)
The production of resort postcards got going in earnest in the early 20th century. The prominent photographers were Charles Weidner, C. A. Payne (also publishing as Art-Ray), Peck, Topete, and Alexander (Zan) Stark. We have a lot of biographical information on Weidner and Stark, thanks to Frank Sternad of the San Francisco Bay Area Post Card Club. The others are more mysterious.
Charles Weidner was born in Germany in 1867, came to the United States in 1888. By 1891 he had made his way to California. Around then he took up photography in earnest, establishing his postcard company in San Francisco in 1902. He was well known for his photos of San Francisco after the earthquake and fire of 1906, and those of Yosemite Valley. He traveled widely in Northern California, spending time in The Springs in the years before WW1. One of his main subject was the Harmonie Ausflug, a group of Germans in the Bay Area who made tourist excursions together, and had a jolly time from the looks of it!
Weidner retired in the mid 1930s, having produced hundreds of postcards covering many locations and subjects in the Bay Area and beyond.
Alexander (Zan) Stark came to San Francisco from Ohio in 1914, investing in a small photo studio on Market Street. After serving in WW1, he came back to the City to resume operation of the Alta Slide and Photo Company. Alta was notable for producing photo booklets of nudes of young women, for “artistic” purposes. Several of his models were well-known silent film stars. Despite the Depression, Stark was doing well enough that in 1929 he could buy a house in Mill Valley. Inspired by his daily ferry commute to SF, he began photographing the wonders of the Bay Area, and being business man, realized he could print these as post cards and make some money. He soon began traveling farther afield, eventually making cards in most of Northern California, southern Oregon, and parts of Nevada.
He moved to Boyes Hot Springs in 1952, to which we owe the outstanding documentation of the resorts, businesses, and landscape of The Springs, numbering at least 65 postcards.
Stark’s archive is housed at Stanford University Library Special Collections.
Charles and Frank Payne published under the names Art-Ray and C.A. Payne. Their home base was Crescent City, California and they covered mainly that part of the state, venturing as far south as Boyes Hot Springs, producing cards from circa 1915 to 1921.
Peck: circa 1940’s-no information
Topete-circa 1906-1912
Anonymous Snapshots
There is something precious about the random snapshots of “just folks”. The professional photographer composes, frames, and considerer the information he wants to convey. Your average person just picks up the camera and shoots, or poses family in front of interesting backgrounds. Even out of focus and out of level, these photographs are charming and are important documents.
Parson’s Lumber and Hardware, 1952Jeff Gilbert’s Great Uncle Joe Costa and Great Uncle SFPD Officer Joe O’Rourke – Early 1930’s. Caliente Villa behind them-Jeff Gilbert via FacebookThe Nasso Family at their gift shop near Flowery School, circa 1960s. Via Facebook.Inscribed on the back: El Verano, 1894Carl Luhr, Nancy West’s father, at his Richfield station in Boyes, 1960’s? From Nancy, Grange membercirca 1912. Graham’s Store in background. First location of Boyes post officeJeff Gilbert via FacebookOn Pine Ave. in front of Mary’s Cottages. From Bruce Griewe.Interior of the Resort Club, 1950. Probably by Oscar Larson.1944- Dave Chiotti
Don Meachum was a commercial photographer in Santa Rosa between 1943 and 1984. His archive is at the Sonoma County Library
Rancho Vista Mobile Home Park, Fetters Springs, 1971
Newspaper Photographers
The area has, of course, been photographed thousands of times for stories in the Index Tribune.
Fetters Hotel during the tenure of Juanita Musson.At the corner of Hwy 12 and Vallejo Ave, 1992. The lot became employee parking for the Sonoma Mission Inn. Everybody knows Robbi!Big Three Market, 1980. Corner of Boyes Blvd. and Hwy 12.
Miscellaneous Sources
Pine Ave. County Redevelopment, circa 1986.Still from the film “Account of the No Account Count,” directed by Josh Binney, 1923, showing the Fetters Springs Hotel.You just have to imagine Storer poking around down by the creek in El Verano. In his notes he tells of coming upon two young boys selling frogs along the roadside. Biologist T. I. Storer, 1922
MIchael Acker
When I started looking for historic photos I also started photographing the same locations. What with the pace of change, it soon became apparent to me that my photos were also historic documents. And so are yours!
springs museum 