Category Archives: Uncategorized

Agua Caliente, Architecture, Fetters Hot Springs, History, people, Resorts, Uncategorized

The Clemente Inn-The Tragedy of a Building Lost

A popular resort hotel in the 1920s, vacant in the 1970s and after, it was the subject of several serious attempts at reuse, all of which failed.

Circa 1920s. To the left is the Associated gas station, to the right, Zwickl (or Zwickles) Resort. The trees at center line Mountain Avenue. The Zwikl building still stands, much altered.

In March of 1922 the Index Tribune informs us that “C. Clementi (sometimes spelled Clemente), well known resort man of Fetters Springs, has started construction on his new hotel. The building will be of solid brick construction and will contain 15 rooms with all modern conveniences…Mr. and Mrs. Clementi have been very successful since establishing their resort in Sonoma Valley and their excellent French cuisine has won for them a big patronage.” The Charles Clementi family immigrated from France sometime between 1912 and 1915, and established a French restaurant in their brick home in Fetters Springs. Mrs. Clemente’s brother-in-law, a Mr. Schaff, constructed additions to the house, creating the hotel. The Clemente’s sold in 1928, moving to Ben Lomond in Santa Cruz County. (On various documents and articles, the year it was built is listed as 1906, 1909, 1910, and 1922.)

Here is a timeline accoridng to what’s available in the Index Tribune:

1931- the building was called the Robin Hood Inn, owned by Robert Whitehead, “wealthy retired capitalist of Oakland…”

1935- it was noted that “William Scott opened the Robin Hood Inn.”

1936- “Norman Jensen, a San Francisco architect, is stopping at the Robin Hood Inn. He is making plans for the reconstruction of the baths at Boyes Springs.

1938 “Mora Castle Property at Fetters Sold.” Sold to Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Zielke of Sant Rosa. “ The fine brick building is to be renovated, redecorated, Venetian blinds added, and other improvements made.”

An ego-based name change!

Then in December of 1940 “Hotel being Changed to Apartments” “Paul Zielke Converting Brick Holtel At Fetters Into Modern Quarters.”

“The famous brick hotel at Fetters Springs, known as Paul’s Castle and one time called Clementi’s after its original owners and later Robin Hood Inn, is being converted into ten apartments.  Paul Zielke, the owner who now operates the Golf Clubhouse, believes that small modern apartments will help solve the housing problem in Sonoma Valley”(!) So, not a new problem!

March 1942 -“Trade Apartments Here For Big Ranch and Resort” “Mr. and Mrs. Paul Zielke have traded their apartment house formerly Robin Hood Inn at Fetters, for a large ranch and Eel River resort.”

Circa 1950s. Stucco has been applied to the brick.

Apparently it was vacant and all but abandoned after 1972. There is no mention of the Clemente or Clementi Inn again until January of 1981, when a DBA Clementi Inn was established by a partnership of three men, Kenneth Crutchlow, Dennis Kirby, James Felich. “It was purchased for $25,000 by Kenneth Crutchlow of England, along with a full set of plans. ‘I bought it from four guys who specialized in historic buildings,’ he said. ‘I don’t know why they couldn’t make a go of it.’Not sure who these men were, but what an ominous statement!

April 1981- For Sale. “Clementi’s Inn in Sonoma County Landmark No.28, and comes with 77 years of history. Plans are approved for restoration in 6 residential apartments.” $105,000″

July 1983- For sale, $150000

Feb 1984- For Sale 80,000

Jan 1984-For sale $145,000

Feb 1985- For Sale $69,500

April 1983- Letter to the editor from Kenneth Crutchlow stating that the property was in foreclosure.

July 1983- For sale, $150000

Feb 1984 -For Sale 80,000

Jan 1984-Fro Sale $145,000

Feb 1985- For Sale $69,500

On 10, 1989 County design review of proposal to develop as 12 room hotel, by Reiner Keller, architect.

June 9, 1989 Owner listed as Michael Brausen, developer.

Dec 1989 – “There’s absolutely no doubt in Michael Brausen’s mind that the Clemente Inn will rise Phoenix-like, reinvigorated and restored as a showplace hotel, rivaled only by the Sonoma Mission Inn.”  “The small clapboard house next to the inn on Hwy 12 was bought to provide parking…According to Brausen, the house itself has a little bit of history-it was once owned by Sally Stanford, reputed madame, ex-mayor of Sausalito, and long time associate of Jaunita Musson…”

Brausen started the long, convoluted permit process. He got approval from the Board of Supervisors, but, since he wanted mini-bars in the rooms, the Liquor Board insisted he have a full bar. However, the Supes approved his permit with the stipulation that there would be no bar. In November of 1990, the bar impasse was resolved. He would have a bar in name only!

Then in July 1991, this astounding headline in the IT: “Old Fetters inn eyed by Soviet buyers.” “Glasnost flourished Sunday as four Soviet businessmen gathered around a Western-style barbecue to kick off a week of negotiations which may culminate in a historic Soviet/American joint venture in Fetters Hot Springs….”The Soviets will actually own the property, ”Brausen says. “This will be the first time an American can actually stay in a Soviet hotel, built by Soviets and run by Soviets and Americans.”

Aug 1991-More about the Soviet deal: “They plan to bring Soviet woodworkers, restaurant personnel, and other artisans to deck out the dilapidated inn, using many finished and unfinished materials from the USSR…When you come in, you will think your are in Moscow,” Brausen said. “If this doesn’t work, the building will probably have to be torn down,” Brausen said prophetically. (Amazing how it being a Soviet hotel was considered a good thing.)

“Russian architect Edouard Ovsipian’s plans suggest a miniature Russian palace, with extensive façade and hight-pitched roof and towers.”…”Ovsipian is an award-winning Soviet architect who built Moscow’s first Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream parlor.”

Whatever you think about the design, it would have been an awesome landmark for the Springs

And then, in 1992, “Soviet collapse doesn’t topple ‘Club Red’”! Soviet funding is gone as Yelstin has frozen the nation’s assets.”…Brausen is now “regrouping” with American investors…

Sept 1993- “‘Club Red” near dead”-“A local entrepreneur still hopes to turn a dilapidated hotel in Agua Caliente (not Fetters?) into a Russian-American “Club Red”- but the plan has been stalled for so long that he’s now trying to sell the building.” …Brausen said the ailing California economy-not to mention the dissolutions of the government of the former Soviet Union-has kept the local project from becoming reality.”

May 1996-Enter Jon Early

Shortly after this ad was published, Jon Early teamed with developer Rick Derringer, who was also developing the Chauvet Hotel in Glen Ellen, to work on the Clementi project. They got the support of the Citizens Advisory Commission and then, in 1997, got the approval of the Board of Supervisors for general plan amendments, zoning changes and use permits for a fourteen room hotel.

Five months later, Early decides to sell. In a peeved letter to the editor of the Index Tribune he said “(the author of the article)leaves readers with his naïve and ignorant impression that somehow it is socially unacceptable for developers such as myself to expect a profit after buying a foreclosed property at a good price, and then spending a year of major headaches with the county bureaucracy and many thousands of dollars on unretrievable fees and consultation expenses on the hope that I might get logical entitlements to do something nice with a crappy old eyesore.”

2000-Marty Edwards buys the building, but after so many years of neglect, the structure is beyond salvaging. In June 2009, the building was demolished, leaving a huge pile of bricks behind a chain link fence. The county backed out of buying the lot for parking, the Permit Department threatened to fine her for having a junk yard, and a contractor wanted $80,000 to haul away the bricks. The ruble was hauled away eventually, but I don’t know the details.

Yes, the ruble stayed there until 2012.
Grafitti exposed during demo hints at the unauthorized use of the building during its abandonment.
The vacant lot in 2013.
2026. The poppies are taking over. I’m not sure if that is the “Sally Stanford house” in the background.

So ends our sad tale. I need a vodka tonic.

Index Tribune courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society. Join today!

Photographs are from them also except the uncredited ones, which are by yours truly.

Cheer up! It’s not 1941…
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Boyes Hot Springs, El Verano, History, Uncategorized

The Springs Gateway Arch

The Sonoma Valley Redevelopment area was established by the board of Supervisors of Sonoma County in 1984. The area comprised a strip along Highway 12 from Agua Caliente Blvd. in the north to Verano Ave. at the south end, and parts of major intersecting streets.The main goals of the project were to remediate “blight”, to encourage commercial activity, and to facilitate construction of low-income housing. Major storm drain work and electrical undergrounding were done at the very beginning.

The wheels turned slowly, to say the least. By 1992 the final plan for the highway, a crucial element, hadn’t been decided. At that time Caltrans wanted to make it eight lanes!

In 1994 an extensive set of design guidelines were issued. Under “Corridor Desing Concept, Southern Gateway Segment,” there is a study area map showing a “monolith” on the highway at the approximate present location of the arch (see map.)  A small elevation of the monolith shows a wood trellis like structure atop a stone base. Trellises and dry-stacked walls, along with trees planted in grids to mimic orchards, are also included. These were all intended to be part of the symbolic entryway to the Springs. The last of the Recommendations in the guideline’s states “Develop further detailed design studies by retaining a consultant or by holding design competitions.”

A draft of the Redevelopment plan was issued in 1996. The Pilot Project was announced. “The plans call for a pilot project to the southern gateway. It includes closing a portion of Main Street, which cuts from Highway 12 to Verano Avenue behind the McDonalds restaurant; an archway or other gateway concept, trees and light fixtures,” we learn from the Index Tribune. Landscape Architect Ron Wellander was hired to manage. “A gateway gives definition between one community and another,” explained Robert Behrens, a site-specific sculptor who worked on the planning stages of the program.” Behrens is best known in Sonoma as designer of the Veterans Memorial Park.

In July of 1997 the Index Tribune announced that “ Among the many improvements for Highway 12 between Boyes Blvd. and Agua Caliente Road will be a metal archway…the archway will consist of two posts, one at either side of the road near Boyes Boulevard, with a metal trellis extending over the road showing a welcome to drivers heading north. It was felt by the consultant (Wellander) that we need something that would announce dramatically the entrance to the springs,” (This is confusing. First, the Redevelopment area starts at Verano Ave, second, the pilot project is nowhere near Boyes Blvd.) The cost was estimated at $200,000.

In September of 1997, Caltrans informed the County that “We do not allow these type of structures to be built over highways.” End (of this part ) of the story.

Construction still had not been started by early 1999.  “…the $700,000 first phase of the project…has suffered a number of setbacks. The most widely publicized of these was the proposal to buil a 20-foot-high metal trellis spanning the state highway just north of Verano Avenue (not Boyes Bldv!) While a relatively minor part of the project as a whole, the arch was widely criticized as unsightly and unnecessary.” Index Triune Feb 2, 1999. To complicate matters more, landscape architect Wellander filed for bankruptcy.

Our current gateway arch was built sometime between 2003 and 2005. The architect was Dan Nichols. According to the Houzz website, the year is 2005 and the budget was “1,000,000-1,500,000,” which seems a bit high. The budget for the entire pilot project was only $700,000.  A friend who attended public meetings at the time remembers the cost as being $611,000. I have not been able to make contact with Mr. Nichols.

The original intention was to have art placed on the concrete posts and wall, which were left bare for that purpose. In 2007, ceramic artist Oliverio Quezada  was “hired” to propose art. It’s unclear how he was chosen. On July 25, 2007, the Board approved redevelopment grant funds up to $35,000 to approve a Special Services Agreement between Quezada and CDC to design, manufacture, create and install an original artwork at the gateway. His proposal includes a concrete bench, a central sculpture, tile artwork on the wall, and a welcoming sign designed with the help of local school children.
Images from artist’s proposal

However, the Advisory Committee of the Springs Redevelopment the RAC) had some questions. The tile were to be covered in text. “”I want the text and imagery …to be as pure and beautiful as possible, incorporating the best of everything existing in the Spring Area’s past, present and future,” Quezada said in his written proposal, but the RAC wanted to see all of it before they would OK the total art project. However again, these objections seem to have faded away, with a new problem arising in 2008: money for maintenance of the artwork. The CDC could fund it but could not to maintain it. Other agencies like Public Works or Parks, didn’t have the money for the (continuing) job. “Kathleen Kane, executive director of the county’s Community Development Commission, told the local panel that maintenance questions …and funding …need to be resolved before the project can continue. “Kane said that the project could be in danger of fading away. “If we can’t get it settled to the satisfaction of public works, it could die,” she said.” Fade away it did.

Soon after, the rusticated stone cladding was applied to the bare concrete pillars.

Now we have an essentially meaningless public art work with a wine-centered advertising slogan on the steel upper part, installed by persons unknown. Inquiries have been made. None of the powers that be have an answer.

Mu contention is that the Gateway Arch could still be transformed into a real symbol of our community. We have plenty of creative talent. All we need is money. HA!

The Orland and Watsonville arches predated Caltrans. The upper right image is the corner of Verano Avenue and Highway 12 in the 1970s(?) Caltrans had no problem with hanging a traffic signal over the road.

Index Tribune courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society. Join today!

copyright 2026 Michael Acker

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Uncategorized

Recently Added to the Springs Historic Photo Database

The database is a Filemaker Pro catalog of my collection, most of which now belongs to the Sonoma Valley Historical Society, but I’m always adding to it.

Richard O’Neil was a well-known commercial photographer in Sonoma, from the 1940s through the 1960s. He photographed many weddings, school portraits, and newspaper pieces. This weirdly green image is probably from the mid 1960s. More about the Bath House here.

B.M. Gaskill was another commercial photographer working in Sonoma county in the mid-century. There are much better photos of Little Switzerland, but I’m interested to discover this photographer, and I’m in search of more of his images.

The Palms Hotel, 1940s, later known as Rozario’s. Not sure when the name changed, but an ad in the Index Tribune in 1949 called it “Rozarios’ Palm Inn.”

1908 image of “one of the many cottages,” most of which either burned in 1923, or survived to become year-round homes today.

Beautiful design of the matchbook cover, naming Lichtenberg and later partner W.S Johnson. Probably 1950s.

Color slide wrongly naming “Lolita’s Galley!” It was actually  the famous Juanita’s Galley. 1970s

Photographs courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society and author’s collection.

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Uncategorized

The Happy Dog, and More

2025
From the Springs Photo Archive

I thought I was going to write about the Springs gateway arch, but I ended up looking at the general area, which includes the old Happy Dog hamburger joint, so I thought I’d write about that.  But then I started looking at the Index Tribune archives and found info on other buildings close by, which had some interest.  First, that Contented Canine.

Robert Smith, a native of Canada, veteran of WWII in the Pacific, and former Real Estate Broker, looking for a career change, founded the Happy Dog in 1973. It started out as a hotdog stand, but soon added hamburgers, which became famous in the Bay Area.  By 1984 they were selling 100,000 hamburgers per year. It’s fame caught the attention of the San Francisco Chronicle, which featured the restaurant in 2016 in a section they called “Cheap Thrills.” Generations of Sonoma Valley teenagers got their starts in the work-world at the Dog.

“Across from the Vine-Yard”

The concrete block building with the dog murals is one of three in close proximity to each other along Highway 12 in El Verano. In 1987, Terry and Bob Morris opened an art supply store in the building next door (now Steve’s Auto shop). The southern-most building (18976 Highway 12), closest to McDonalds, now the Verano Cafe, was once the home of Moosetta’s Piroshki and Pastry Shop, which opened in 1962 at a different location. The Art Store soon moved to 5th Street West.  Moosetta’s moved north to the small commercial center at 18808. That space was later the Rocket Café and is now Baker and Cook.

A good location, “Between Happy Dog and Moosettas!”
Moosetta’s original location, where the gas station is now, across from Siesta Way.
1989.

Judy and Kuoseng Chang bought the Dog in 1989 and changed nothing. Why mess with success? But running a restaurant is strenuous. In the Press Democrat in 2014, Diane Reber Hart noted “both in their early 60s, the Changs put in 12-hour workdays six days a week. Their only employee is their nephew Steve Chang, 42, who plans to take over the business whenever the couple retires.” I don’t know if this happened, but the Dog has been closed since 2021. In 2022 Kathleen Hill reported in the Index Tribune that the building had been sold, for what use was not disclosed by the buyers. Well, no use, apparently. As of January 2026 it still sits empty.

2025. The Gateway Arch can be glimpsed at the far right.
The slogan was installed some time late in 2025, who knows by whom.

The Arch is a relic of the Redevelopment Pilot Project of the late 1990s. It was designed by architect Dan Nichols and built around 2000. More on this in another post.

bonus Happy Dog images:

2016, from Yelp.
2025
State #1

In 2021, as part of my Valley of the Moon Main Stem project, I thought of using the iconic Happy Dog as a grand entry arch. Why not? It would be more meaningful than what we got. The collage is 45.5″x15.”

State #2

All photos by suthor unless otherwise noted.

Index Tribune courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society. Join today! https://sonomavalleyhistory.org/donate/

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Boyes Hot Springs, Collection/Obsession, nature, Trees, Uncategorized, Wonders and Marvels

Farewell to a Friend

1997

It’s always sad when we lose a tree. I called it “the Big Euc.”

I know eucalyptus are exotic, invasive, and sometimes dangerous (they are highly flammable and may have other impacts, but the story is not only negative: see https://ucanr.edu/site/igors-urban-website/eucalyptus-california) .But they are, by now naturalized in California and in our minds. We have grown up with them. Their fragrance is embedded in our olfactory cortexes. The beauty of their variegated bark delights.

This friend grew on Vallejo Ave. near Highlands Blvd. in Boyes Hot Springs.  Probably a volunteer, it may have sprouted around the time the motor court behind it was built, possible just after the 1923 fire. https://springsmuseum.org/2017/11/01/fire/

2007

I actually liked the way this tree was grinding up the concrete sidewalk, like a very slow motion wave of living wood. I have special place in my heart for the interaction of trees and the built environment.

Makes beautiful shadows.

This quince volunteer bloomed every February for Lunar New Year.

Eventually a piece of the concrete was removed for some underground plumbing repair and replaced with crushed rock.

The green concrete curb continues to be submerged in tree.

Some beauty shots.

The wet bark is even more beautiful, and the fragrance intensifies.

So limb-like, sensuous.

December 2025

Just a memory

The palm stands alone

“Bark and Bite.” Painted photo collage circa 20″x30″. 2019. Michael Acker

For an highly interesting capsule view of the trees and their impact on the California environment, see this from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://ucanr.edu/site/igors-urban-website/eucalyptus-california

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Boyes Hot Springs, People, Photographs, Resorts, Uncategorized, Wonders and Marvels

Harmonie Ausflug

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.

Livia Gershon in JSTOR Daily:

“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.

The JSTOR article https://daily.jstor.org/german-song-in-america/?utm_source=mcae&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jstordaily-07102025

Further reading about German American singing societies from a University of the Paicific thesis from 1955 https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2276&context=uop_etds

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Uncategorized

The Springs Museum Is Ten Years Old!

The Springs Museum website is ten years old! I’ve posted monthly for almost the entire time, so that’s around 120 posts. It’s a collection of historical info, natural historical musings, observations and appreciations of the place we live, with occasional wider scope. It’s been cited by historians, journalists, planners and architects.

I’m still working on getting a brick and mortal existence for the Museum. You can help by clicking the Donate button, and/or spreading the word. Thank you!

Greatest hits? No, just some of my faves.

2014-https://springsmuseum.org/2014/10/15/bottle-village/

2015-https://springsmuseum.org/2015/12/  Keatons Shack

2016-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/745 Valley of the Moon Resort

2016-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/894 Rosenthal’s Resort

2017-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/1526 Music in the Valley

2017-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/1735 Fire Social Media

2018-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/1900 The Oak at Sierra Way

2019-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/2201 Neighborhood Phenomena

2019-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/2284 Dick Dawley

2019=https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/2403 Arroyo Road

2020-https://wordpress.com/post/springsmuseum.org/2619 Sonoma Highway

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Boyes Hot Springs, History, Holidays, People

Christmas 1923

A sampler of Christmas from the Index Tribune, one hundred years ago.

Sonoma was in the grip of movie fever. Actor/producer/director/swindler Harold Binney had arrived to set up his studio. Local were recruited to be extras in the “Account of the No Account Count.” Alas, Binney absconded having written bad checks, and Sonoma as Hollywood North never materialized.

See you at the Union Hotel for Christmas dinner? Oh, that’s right. They tore it down and built an unlovely Bank of America! However, they were considerate enough to erect a bronze plaque commemorating what they had destroyed.

Directors included Sam Sebastiani, and Frank Wedekind.

Sweet!

I wonder how Mr. Abbott came by the molds. Spoils of war?

In 1923 it did not take much to produce contentment, apparently!

“Bring along your rifle!”

By 1923 the railroads had significant competition from bus lines. The egg laying contest had thirty six entries, eleven of them from outside California! The IOOF building is still there and in great shape.

Sonoma Index Tribune courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society

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Boyes Hot Springs, History, mid-century, Place Names/Street Names, Uncategorized

Jim’s Lunch

In 1923 a huge fire destroyed much of Boyes Hot Springs. Community spirit was strong, however, and rebuilding began immediately. One property owner, Bob Liaros, rebuilt on the highway.

The Liaros building at left. Next to it is the ice house. Across Vallejo St. we can see Sam Agnew’s service station. Agnew was an ex-major leaguer who was famous for catching Babe Ruth in the 1918 World Series.

According to the Index Tribune, “Bob Liaros owns one of the finest and most substantial buildings on the highway in Boyes Springs. After the fire, Mr. Liaros took the slogan, “a bigger and better Boyes Springs” at its full value and proceeded to show that he, for one, meant to build bigger and better than before. In place of the frame building and barber shop which was located next to the original post office at Boyes, the enterprising business man let the contract for a handsome hollow tile type building, with concrete floors and  fireproof throughout. The exterior is most attractive with its tile trim and plate glass front. The building is divided into two stores, in one of which Mr. Liaros has his beautifully  appointed barber shop with its mirrors, three chairs and finest plumbing. He does bobbing for the ladies and has a competent assistant barber. Liaros has leased the store and living rooms in his building for an ice cream parlor and refreshment stand.” IT 1925.

Jim Nichols opened his Jim’s Lunch restaurant on Napa St. in Sonoma, “at the entrance of the ball park,” in 1933. In 1937 Jim sold to Marie Tarrens and moved to Oregon. But, in 1938, “Jim Nicholas, who sold out and left Sonoma for Oregon, only to return convinced that there is no place like the Valley of the Moon, is opening up a coffee shop and café at Boyes Springs in the Bob Liaros building. In 1939, Evelyn Frank and Alice Jones applied for a liquor license under the name of Jim’s Lucnh Room. Not sure where Frank and Jones went but in 1941 Alice Norrbom bought the establishment from Katherine Ewert Jorgensen. I believe the two photographs of Jim’s date from Mrs. Norrbom’s ownership. In 1944 she sold to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Reynolds and I think they were the last owners of Jim’s.

Menu from the WWII era.
Photo by Zan Stark, 1950s

In the 1950s the Liaros building housed the  Boyes Variety Store and Polidori’s store. Kelly’s Deli was there in the 1980s’90s. The building was torn down in 1992. The site now houses the Sonoma Mission Inn employee parking lot, alas.

Photo dated 1992

ADDENDUM

In 1931 Bob Liaros bought “Lot Number 1, Woodleaf Park, being a part of Rancho Agua Caliente, T. 5 N., R. 6 W, M.D.M.,” (The letter-number combinations are Township and Range. MDM stands for Mount Diablo Meridian, a baseline used by the Public Land Survey System.)

The sign at the left of the arch advertises “J.W. Minges desirable summer and winter cottages.”

First Avenue became Vallejo Avenue, so this would be the corner of Vallejo and Hwy 12 (“Santa Rosa and Sonoma Road”.)

Thanks to the Sonoma Valley Historical Society for the Index Tribune and many photographs, Lloyd Cripps for the arch photo, Phil Danskin for the map, and Stanford University Library, Special Collections for the Zan Stark photo.

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