Scenes from Fort Ross, California

Driving along windy Highway 1 north of San Francisco, the landscapes and colors of the the farms, mountains and open space are often muted in foggy mists that blanket the scenery and create a feeling of mystery. The region is steeped in a history of diverse cultures that include settlers who came to seek riches of natural resources before the Gold Rush. Russians established Fort Ross as an outpost for trade in the early 1800's and left their mark in locations such as Russian River and Fort Bragg, north of Fort Ross. Fort Ross is situated in a somewhat undeveloped area near the Pacific Ocean 12 miles north of Jenner. As you drive along the coastal highway near this landmark, you can see cows sitting along the edge of the road munching on grass on steep hills and inclines.

An easy paced drive to Fort Ross yields few amenities such as public restrooms, gas stations and restaurants. Be sure to plan ahead for necessities when traveling this route so you can enjoy the environment. Fort Ross offers restrooms, a picnic area, a visitors center and free parking.

Maintained under the California State Parks system, several buildings at Fort Ross include a stockade, the first Russian Orthodox chapel south of Alaska, and the Commander’s House, which contains exhibits of the Russian-American Fur Company and the Russian occupation. Be sure to stop and get out of your vehicle to wander the grounds and try to imagine what life must have been like 200 years ago.

Russian American Company Outpost

The park, one of the first state parks in the California State Park system, was known as Settlement Ross when it was established by the Russian American Company, a commercial hunting and trading venture chartered by the tsarist government. Ivan Alexandrovich Kuskov established this colony in California as a food source for Alaska and to hunt profitable sea
otters. Kuskov arrived at Ross in March of 1812 with a party of 25 Russians, many of them craftsmen, and 80 native Alaskans from Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands. For thirty years the company hunted sea otter, set up working farms, established relations with local Native Californians, traded with Spanish Californians and later the Mexican government
as well as merchants who traveled to the North Pacific for the fur trade.

The Russian American Company remained at Fort Ross until the sea otter trade was no longer profitable. The holdings were sold in 1841 to John Sutter, who later became famous when gold was discovered at his saw
mill in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Russian settlement and Russian American Company was responsible for:
• A commercial trade port in California.
• Ships on North America's West Coast. Four ships were constructed at the Ross colony in Fort Ross Cove.
• Settlement Ross was the first to have a full-time blacksmith in
California.
• Some of the first weather statistics in Northern California.
• 170-year-old Rotchev House, the oldest surviving building north of San Francisco. It is a National Historic Landmark.
• The first vineyard north of San Francisco featuring over 2,000 vines.

Several buildings in the park have been reconstructed, including the first Russian Orthodox chapel south of Alaska, the stockade, and four others. The park has a visitor center and bookstore that features one of the largest Russian History libraries in the north state. Volunteer programs  include living history events. Visitors from Russia are a daily occurrence along with many travelers from around the world. They enjoy not
only the history of the Russian American Company, but also the natural resources like hiking, diving, and camping at the nearby Reef campground. Source: www.parks.ca.gov
 

For nearby accommodations, you might stay in Bodega Bay, Santa Rosa, Sea Ranch or Mendocino, to name several.  There are dozens of villages, towns and a several small cities with creature comforts that include selections of local wines and food prepared by great chefs who utilize fresh fruits and vegetables in their preparations.