Cloverdale

The Town of Cloverdale

Genealogy
History of Cloverdale
The Town Today
Places of Interest
People of Interest
Maps
Pictures

Cloverdale is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States; it is both the westernmost and the northernmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area. The San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad reached Cloverdale in 1872. The Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California is headquartered there. The population was 8,618 at the 2010 census. [1]

Genealogy

Gedcom Index for Cloverdale, CA. . . . Link

Surnames: Bell, Gossends, Plumlee, White

LDS genealogy.com: Cloverdale . . . Link

Roadside Thoughts: Cloverdale California . . . Link

Sonoma County Genealogical Society . . . Link

The web site "The Cockrill Family of Sonoma County" [Link] has a wonderful collection of local genealogy including the following with ties to this town: John ADAMS, William Anderson HAGANS, William Jefferson HARDIN, William HOPPER

People of Interest

Armand Dehay . . . Wikipedia . . . In 1881, Jules Leroux and Armand Dehay established a colony south of Cloverdale named "Icaria Speranza", based on the French Utopian movement, the Icarians. The settlement ended in 1886 and today, there is a marker south of town where the schoolhouse was located. . .

Charles R. Drake (Minister) . . . Image (Slide 13) . . . Minister Charles R. Drake, sits on the rocky bank of Sulphur Creek along Geysers Road, circa 1920.

Clement Butler (Grocer, Former Mayor) . . . Image (Slide 22) . . . Grocer Clement Butler with a horse and buggy, circa 1910. Clement Butler was a former mayor of Cloverdale. He operated Butler's Market. He married Louisa Brush Wilson.

Dorothy & Fred Houston . . . Link. . . The property remained vacant until 1982 when Dorothy & Fred Houston discovered it and transformed it into the Old Crocker Inn Bed & Breakfast Retreat.

Elsie Allen (1899–1990) . . . Wikipedia . . . Pomo basket maker and teacher regarded as one of the three best California basket makers of her generation.

Eurastus M. Shelford (f. John Shelford, III) . . . Link . . . The [Shelford House] was originally built in 1885 by Eurastus M. Shelford on property given to him by his father, John Shelford III, that was purchased in 1863 as part of the Rancho Musalacon Land Grant.

Feodor Gustav Hahman (Henrietta A Hahmann) [Name spelled with both 1 “n” and 2”nn’s” at the end] . . . Link . . . Image (Slide 19) . . . In 1857 J. H. Hartman and F. G. Hahman, pioneer merchants of Santa Rosa opened a trading-post under the name of Hartman & Hahman, which they later sold to Levi & Co. . . . [See also The Town: Santa Rosa, Also an Article with Picture]

Fred Wiseman . . . Images (Slides 8, 20, 21) . . . Wiseman was known for the first airmail flight between Santa Rosa and Petaluma that same year.

H. Fred Gerkhardt (c. 1821-1895) . . . Image (Slide 26) . . . Guests arriving at the United States Hotel by stage in 1900. The hotel was built in 1862 by Fred Gerkhardt, sold to Michael Menihan in 1873, and burned down in 1947 . . . Advertisement [United State Hotel 1863] . . .

Isaac Ellis Shaw . . . Link . . . Isaac Ellis Shaw bought the [Gould-Shaw] house from Gould in 1875 and lived there with his wife and two children. Following his wife’s death Shaw remarried, moved his new wife Minerva, into the house and had another two children. Shaw died in 1905 and his wife lived here until her death in 1938 . . . Article [Shaw Arrival on The Sonora 1860] . . . Article [Death of I.E. Shaw 1905] . . .

J. B. Baccus . . . Link . . . His "The People" Page . . . Soon after [spring of 1872], J. B. Baccus commenced the publication of the Cloverdale Bee, which he continued for about six months . . . [7]

J. H. Barker . . . Link . . . The first elected [Fire Department] officers were: J.H. Barker, president; J.F. Hoadly, secretary; J.H. Barker, foreman; Sam Bee, assistant foreman; and Peter Ludwig, second assistant foreman.

J. H. Hartman . . . Link . . . In 1857 J. H. Hartman and F. G. Hahman, pioneer merchants of Santa Rosa opened a trading-post under the name of Hartman & Hahman, which they later sold to Levi & Co. . . . [7]

James Abram Kleiser . . . Link . . . Wikipedia . . . In 1859, James Abram Kleiser bought Markle’s interest, and the town of Cloverdale was laid out. A school built by J. A. Kleiser, opened in 1861 . . . Article [Land donated 4 School 1851] . . . [Hotel For Sale 1859] . . . Article & Article [7]

James Francis Hoadley (abt 1831 – 1891) . . . Link . . . In 1876, the Cloverdale News was started by W. S. Walker who sold his interest to J. F. Hoadley . . . Link . . . The first elected [Fire Department] officers were: J.H. Barker, president; J.F. Hoadley, secretary; J.H. Barker, foreman; Sam Bee, assistant foreman; and Peter Ludwig, second assistant foreman. . . [Sonoma County] [First mention of Hoadley in Sonoma County is October 1872] . . . Article [Taken up Residence in Cloverdale Oct 1872] [Hardware store (& grocery?) with I. E. Lewis 1872] . . . Article [Passes away 1891] [7]

James Francis Hoadley, Jr. (Either 1859 or 1872, there were 2 sons born to JF Hoadley) [Will need to research if JF Hoadley, Jr. is different than the JF Hoadley that bought Cloverdale News] . . . Article [Jr. Visit to Argus Office 1881] . . .

Joe Sedgley . . . Link . . . Joe Sedgley was a long-time stage driver on the Lake County run until he grew weary of being robbed and opened a barbershop. . . Article [Pioneer Stage Days Recalled by J.L. Sedgley, 1927] . . . Article [J. Parmer Sedley visits with parents, 1928]

John Bowman . . . Link . . . [Bowman] operated a mercantile store known as the Shaw Bowman Company . . . Article [House Burglarized, 1878] . . . Article [Maybe, Falls and breaks a leg, 1915]

John Shelford, III (c1822 - 1877) . . . Article 1 . . . Mr. John Shelford, who has lived 18 or 20 years about a mile. and a half from Cloverdale, died this morning. Deceased was about 55 years of age. . . . OR Article 2 . . . DIED. SHELFORD—ln Cloverdale, March 4, 1877 John Shelford, aged 70 years. . . . . OR Article 3 . . . DIED: SHELFORD In Cloverdale, March 5, John Shelford, aged 56 years.

John W. Hartman . . . Link . . . Cloverdale’s first postmaster was John W. Harman, who was appointed on Aug. 15, 1857 `by President James Buchanan. The Post Office began functioning in Cloverdale before the streets were laid out two years later by James Abram Kleiser. . . . [See also The Town: Santa Rosa, Also an Article Mention]

Johnson Horrell. . . Link . . . In 1856, R.B. Markle and W.J. Miller bought 759 acres (3.1 km2), which included the present site of the town, from Johnson Horrell . . . Wikipedia Mention and Article Mention . . . Article [Receiving of land grant] MUSALACON - Another Sgt. Berryessa to confuse historians. This one from Fancisco. He received the grant in 1846. The 8,866 acres was clamied by Johnson Horrell after the Bear War. . . Also Article . . . [7]

Jules Leroux (1850- died btw 1940-1947) (w. Katherine) . . . Wikipedia . . . In 1881, Jules Leroux and Armand Dehay established a colony south of Cloverdale named "Icaria Speranza", based on the French Utopian movement, the Icarians. The settlement ended in 1886 and today, there is a marker south of town where the schoolhouse was located. . . Link He came from France in 1867 [1937 still alive] . . . Article [Runaway Wagon] . . . Article [Possible, Marriage of Son] . . . Article [Jules a French-American Winery owner] . . . Article & Article (both 1925) [Grand kids visiting from Willits] . . . Land Purchase [Healdsburg, 1927] . . . Link [Lerouxs in Healdsburg] . . . Article [Attack of Pneumonia] . . . Article [Dinner at home of Mrs. Mary Leroux, 1931] . . . Article [Visit with Family, 1933] . . . Article [Sale of his old ranch] . . . Article [90th Birthday Celebrated, Healdsburg] . . . Article [GranDaughts Wedding, Mentions his having passed] . . . Article [Golden anniversary of Walter G Leroux, 1953] . . . Article [History of The First Icarians, 1975]

Mrs. Frantz Leroux [Mother to Jules] (?-1903) . . . Link [Her Obit family history] . . .

Mrs. Petit [Sister to Jules] . . . Link . . .

Mrs. Zurcher [Sister to Jules] . . . Link

Mrs. Pepin of Topeka, Kans [Sister to Jules] . . . Link

Mrs. Dehay [Sister to Jules] . . . Link . . . Article [Jules’ 90th Birthday Celebrated, Healdsburg] . . .

Peter Leroux of Santa Rosa [Brother to Jules] . . . Link ,

Paul Leroux of Cloverdale [Brother to Jules] (d. 1918) . . . Link . . . Article [Death Notice, 1918: Jules (brother), Mrs. Dehay (sister)]

Michael Menihan . . . Image (Slide 26) . . . Guests arriving at the United States Hotel by stage in 1900. The hotel was built in 1862 by Fred Gerkhardt, sold to Michael Menihan in 1873, and burned down in 1947. . . Image (slide 36) . . . Michael Menihan of Cloverdale, circa 1915. Menihan was born in 1839 in Bantry County, Ireland and was the owner of Cloverdale's United States Hotel. . . . Article [Mr. Menihan purchases Hotel 1882] . . . Article [Mr. Menihan Renovates Hotel 1882] . . . Article [Land Sale 1887] . . . Article [A Director of Cloverdale Citrus Fair Assoc., 1895] . . . Article [Cloverdale’s Guests Depart. 1897] . . . Article [Agricultural? Committee Meeting Announced, 1898] . . . Article [7th annual Citrus Fair] . . . Article [Awards from 1899 Fair] . . . Article [Visit to Newspaper] . . . Article [Attended Railroad picnic in Mirabel Park, 1899] . . . Article [Jury Duty, 1901] . . . Article & Article [Trial Jurors, 1903] . . . Land Purchase, 1904 & Article . . . Article & Article [Courthouse dedication] . . . Article [Visit friend John W Keegan] . . . Article & Obit [Death of Brother Patrick, 1913] . . . Article [Will of Patrick] . . . Article [Buying Bonds] . . . Article [Deeds] . . . Article [Death of Oldest Son Thomas Michael Menihan] . . . Article & Article & Article [Cloverdale Pair 50 Years Wed, 1924] . . . Article & Article & Article [Illness after festivities, 1924] . . . Article & Article & Article (Healdsburg) & Article (PD) & Article (Big Pine) & Article (Campbell Press) & Article (La Jolla) & Article (Livermore) & Article (Livingston) [Death Notice. 1924.] . . . Article & Article [Catholic Services, 1924] . . . Article & Article [Death of Daughter, Ms. A. Selene Menihan, 1924] . . . Article [B.P.O.E. Sorrow Session, 1924] . . . Article [Death of Happy Jack, 1928] . . . Article [Son John P. Menihan, becomes postman, 1934] . . . Article & Article [Widow, Mrs. Mary Menihan dies, 1937]

Milt Holt . . . Link . . . the appointment of Milt Holt as the first “paid” Fire Chief. Holt was paid $400.00 per month for half-duty pay. Fire Chief Holt was also the owner of a dry cleaning business. Chief Holt retired in February 1990 after 31 years of service.

Minerva Shaw . . . Image (Slide 39) . . . Minerva Shaw standing in front of the Gould-Shaw House at 215 North Cloverdale Blvd., circa 1906. The residence is the current home of the Cloverdale History Center/Museum . . . Article [Visiting Friends, 1898] . . . Article & Article & Article [Will Filed for Probate 1905] [There are numerous Probate Announcements in Newspaper, not all listed here] . . .

Article [Death of I.E. Shaw 1905]. . . Article & Article [Named as Executor w/ Charles B. Shaw, 1905] . . . Article [Son Frank I. Shaw Visiting, 1905] . . . Article [Petition to be Guardian of Gertrude M. Shaw, 1906] . . . Article [Treasurer of Clover Leaf Chapter, 1907] . . . Article [Assc. Matron of Clover Leaf Chapter, 1908] . . . Article [Attended Auction Bridge 1910] . . . Article [Installation officer of Cloverdale Chapter of Eastern Star, 1910] . . . Article & Article [Miss Nora Black visited] . . . . . . . Article [Installation officer of Eastern Star, 1925] . . . Article (PD) & Article (Geyserville) & Article (Healdsburg) [Death of M.N. Shaw 1943] . . . Article [Memorial Planned by Ladies’ Improvement Club of Cloverdale]

Peter Ludwig . . . Link . . . The first elected [Fire Department] officers were: J.H. Barker, president; J.F. Hoadly, secretary; J. H. Barker, foreman; Sam Bee, assistant foreman; and Peter Ludwig, second assistant foreman . . . Article [First mention of a Peter Ludwig, 1880] [Lots of Real Estate Articles…] . . . Article [Peter and Wife leave for Tacoma Washington, 1889] . . . was a resident of Cloverdale for 20 years. Took a job as a book-keeper. . . Article & Article [1894, Talk of his Estate? Did they return to Sonoma County?] . . . Article [Notice to creditors]

R.B. Markle . . . Link . . . Cloverdale was originally called Markleville, named for R.B. Markle, a former owner of the land. In 1856, R.B. Markle and W.J. Miller bought 759 acres (3.1 km2), which included the present site of the town, from Johnson Horrell. About the same time [1857] Markle opened a tavern for the accommodation of travelers and pack-trains [7] . . .

Article . . . . Wikipedia Mention . . . First Newspaper Mention is an Add for a lost horse in 1857 . . . Article . . . Article [Agent of The Democrat.] . . . Article [Mentions he kept a good hotel in 1858] . . . Article [Arrested for Assault, 1859] . . . Article [Held for trial] . . . Article [Dissolution Notice of partnership “Markle & Miller” with W. J. Miller, 1859] . . . Article [Serif’s Sale of land, 1859] . . . Article [Markle Vs. Harris & Raney, 1861] . . .

Article [Markle Vs. Harris & Kleiser, 1861] . . . [He moves to Mendocino County sometime here] . . . Article [Marriage to Minnie Foster, 1879] . . . . . . . Article [A. O. U. W. at Mendocino, Westport Lodge No. 207, 1881] . . . Article [Son is Born, 1883] . . . Article [Hotel stay at Brooklyn Hotel, 1884] . . . . . Article [Farm at Westport, Mendo County, 1886] . . . Article & Article & Article [Democrat Convention in Ukiah, 1888] . . . Article [Patent List, #395, 448 -PILE, 1889] . . . Article [Westport Building Company, 1890] . . . Article [Appointed 1 of 3 Appraisers of Byrd Young Estate, 1892] . . . Article [Teredo-Proof Pile Company, S.F., 1 Director, 1894] . . . Article [A Mine Owner?, 1896] . . . Article [Timber-land owner in town, 1896] . . . Article & Article [MacDougal sued Markle & Teredo Proof Pile Cmpy, 1896] . . Article [Surveyors for Sweepstake Mine, 1901] . . . Article [Hagemann Hotel Stay, Santa Cruz, 1905] . . . Article [Death of Mother-in-law, 1910] . . Article & Article [Snakenberg et al VS RB Markle, 1910] [There is a R.B. Markle Jr.? …. ] When does he come in?? . . . Article [First mention of JR. .. 1915] [There are more articles, but I am stopping here for now.]

Raymond A Donnelly (1904-1990) (w. Bernice Grant Donnelly (1906-1979) ) (Donnelly Department Store, 1948-1971) . . . Link. . . Ray Donnelly was a resident of Sonoma County from 1920, he was employed by Standard Oil Company until 1945. He then opened Donnelly’s Department Store in Cloverdale, which he ran for thirty years. During which time he served 25 years on the Sonoma County Planning Commission representing Norther Sonoma County. A very active member of the Cloverdale Rotary Club for 30 years. . . . Article [First Hayride of season, 1908] . . . Article [Father John J Donnelly, passes away, 1916] . . . Article (1919) & Article (1923) & Article (1923) [Mrs. Ray Donnelly (of Sausalito?) guest of her Mother] . . . Article [Visit from Miss Paulson of Eureka] . . . Article [Mrs. Donnelly Conducting business at Vogue Beauty Parlor, 1923] . . . Article [Ray will spend days in S.F., 1924] . . . Article [Bernice visits SR, 1924] . . . Article [Ray Currently in Healdsburg, 1924] . . . Article [Miss C. Donnelly visits her brother Ray, 1924] . . . Article [Ray of Healdsburg, formally of Cazadero, represents Standard Oil Company in Healdsburg, 1924] . . . Article [Ray gets new car, 1925] . . . Article & Article [Company Truck accident & hospital stay, 1925] . . . Article [Return from vacation, 1926] . . . Article [Vacation to Lake Tahoe, 1927] . . . Article [The Donnell’s move to Healdsburg, 1927] . . . . . . Article [Mrs. D. guest at Bridge Tea & Shower, 1929] . . . Article [Ray member of new Aero Club, 1930] . . . [Back to San Francisco?] . . . Article [Ray transferred to S.F., 1930] . . . Article [W.A. Brown to Fill Ray’s position, 1930] . . Article [Spends time in Monroe visiting, 1933] . . . Article [Mrs. Bernice Brown & Ray Donnelly WED in Reno, residents of Cloverdale, Nov 1935] . . . Article [Attend engagement party (of Healdsburg), 1936] . . . Article [Ray (of Cloverdale) member of “Lazy Nine Club”, 1936] . . . Article (1936) & Article (1937) & Article (1938) [Mrs. Ray Donnelly (of H.) plays Golf] . . . Article & Article [Couple dances at Cotillion Dance, 1937] . . . Article [Grant P Brown (Donnelly), son of Mrs. Ray Donnell sick, 1938] . . . Article [Family attends Open House in Edrington House, 1938] . . . Article [Mrs. Donnelly member of Delta Zeta Sorority, 1938] . . . [There are numerous articles for the two Donnelly’s. I did not read them all! There are 197 from P.D. results found here LINK & 109 from Geyserville Press here LINK (1940-1964)] . . . . . . . .**Note: Is Ray Donnelly of HEALDSBURG, different than Ray Donnelly of CLOVERDALE?? . . . Article [Death of Bernice Grant Connelly, 1979] . . . . . Article & Article & Article & Article [Raymond A Donnelly passes away, 1990]

Sam Bee (1845-1923) (w. Sarah Bee wife of Sr or Jr.?) . . . . Link . . . The first elected [Fire Department] officers were: J.H. Barker, president; J.F. Hoadly, secretary; J.H. Barker, foreman; Sam Bee, assistant foreman; and Peter Ludwig, second assistant foreman. . . Article [Petaluma Fire Dept Mention, 1875] . . . Article [Cloverdale Fire Dept Election, 1876] . . . Article & Article [The Masquerade, Sam was a Clown, 1876] . . . Article [Band of 1000 sheep to S.F., 1877] . . . Article [Daughter Born in Petaluma, 1877] . . . Article & Article [Parkman’s Conet Band (San Jose?), 1878] . . . Article [Buys lot in Mammoth, 1880] . . . Article [formerly res, of Petaluma, now of S.F. Visits friends, 1881] . . . Article [Parkman Band name change to Fifth Infantry Band, Mr. Sam Bee new leader, 1882] . . . Article [Fourth grade Honor Roll? In San Jose?, 1884] . . . Article [Juvenile Party (Louie & Sam Bee), 1887] . . . Article [Citizen’s meeting RE: Chinatown on 3rd street Petaluma, 1887] . . . Article & Article [Hester School Third grade? Going backwards??, 1887] . . . Article [Prominent stock buyer of Petaluma, 1888] . . . Article & Article & Article [Daughter Born, in Petaluma, 1888] . . . Article [Second Grade Honor Roll, 1889] . . . [Spent some time in Alaska?] . . . Article [Sam Bee formally of the butcher business here, has arrived in Petaluma after an absence of many years in Alaska, 1906] . . . Article [Sam Bee (Jr.) whose father was a well-known Pet. Butcher & Mother residing in Stockton, dies of influenza at Army Camp Fremont at age 24, 1918] . . . Article [This article says Sarah is Widow of Sam Bee of Stockton, is she Mother or Wife of Jr? ] . . . Article [Curio mentions Sam Bee Butcher, 1922] . . . Article & Article [Sam Bee Dies in San Jose 78 years. This article links this Sam Bee to mentions of him in San Jose!!! 1923] . . . Article [Do you remember, Sam the Butcher? 1929] . . . Article [Mentions Mrs. Sam Bee, 1934] . . . Article [Mrs. S. Bee mentioned, 1971]

Simon Pinschower . . . Link . . . This lovingly preserved Queen Anne Victorian, built in 1901, is privileged to be listed on the United States Register of Historic Places. The Vintage Towers once was owned by wealthy merchant and mining executive Simon Pinschower.

Thomas A. Shaw . . . Link

Thomas Jefferson Gould, an Indiana born blacksmith . . . Link . . . Link

Thompson Family: Lillian Thompson, Lillian T. Thompson, Pearl Thompson and Evan Thompson. . . Image (Slide 38)

. . The Morris Thompson residence on Broad Street, around 1900. Pictured are (from left) Lillian Thompson, Lillian T. Thompson, Pearl Thompson and Evan Thompson.

Tillie Hardwick . . . Link

Tom Wilson . . . Image (Slide 52, 53)

Tom Wilson opening mail box outside of Cloverdale Post Office, 1890. And sorting mail at the Cloverdale Post Office in 1890.

Tony Reger, Fire Chief in 1924. . . Link

In 1924, Fire Chief Tony Reger realized the need to re-organize and upgrade the fire department. Reger brought the department to full strength and held regular training drills. He set up a repair and maintenance schedule for the fire equipment and saw to it that the volunteers received a payment of $2.00 per fire.

W. J. Bowman. . . Link

In the spring of 1872 W. J. Bowman started the Cloverdale Review, the first paper in town. After a few issues he abandoned the enterprise. [7]

W. J. Miller. . . Link [7]

In 1856, R.B. Markle and W.J. Miller bought 759 acres (3.1 km2), which included the present site of the town, from Johnson Horrell . . . Wikipedia Mention

W. L. Jones, Reverend. . . Image (Slide 26) . . . Reverend W.L. Jones, an early Cloverdale resident in 1898.

W. S. Walker. . . Link . . . In 1876, the Cloverdale News was started by W. S. Walker who sold his interest to J. F. Hoadley. [7]

William Jefferson Hardin . . . Link

History of Cloverdale

Cloverdale began as an early stagecoach stop, known as Markleville, on the Rancho Rincon de Musalacon Mexican grant. In 1856, R.B. Markle and W.J. Miller bought 759 acres (3.1 km2), which included the present site of the town, from Johnson Horrell. In 1859, James Abram Kleiser bought Markle's interest, and the town was laid out. The town was incorporated when the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad arrived in 1872. By 1878, the railroad service provided three trains a day between Cloverdale and Ferries of San Francisco Bay. In 1881, Jules Leroux and Armand Dehay established a colony south of Cloverdale named "Icaria Speranza", based on the French Utopian movement, the Icarians. The settlement ended in 1886 and today, there is a marker south of town where the schoolhouse was located. [1]

Cloverdale suffered severe economic hardship, losing 500 to 600 manufacturing jobs between 1988 and 1994, with the closing of a fire equipment factory and the shrinking of the logging industry. On July 6, 2005, Cloverdale began its economic reform with the "RTB" (Real-Estate Transfer Bureau) plan granting money for businesses and commerce to return to the city. This plan fell through as the grant was moved to Los Altos, California and changed to the "1750" plan. In 1993, 300 jobs were eliminated alone when Louisiana-Pacific closed its lumber mill. In 1994, Highway 101, which formerly bisected the town, was rerouted around town with a bypass. Some businesses closed, and many natives believed the bypass radically changed the town's character. [1]

Since the bypass, signs of civic revival have occurred with the development of pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, a performing arts center, a brewpub, and a downtown plaza hosting live concerts and a farmers' market. In 1997, Clover Springs, a development with 362 houses, was opened on the south end of town. In 2011, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District transferred 250 acres (1.0 km2) of former ranchland to the City of Cloverdale for use as a park and open-space preserve. [1]

Cloverdale

Cloverdale was first known as Markle's Place, a trading post. It began as an early stage stop, on the old Rancho Rincon de Muscalon grant. In 1856 R. B. Markle and W. J. Miller purchased eight hundred and fifty acres of land, which included the present site of the town of Cloverdale from Johnson Horrell. In 1859 J. A. Kleiser purchased the interest of R. B. Markle in the land, and the town was laid off. Until then it was a stage stop and tavern, known as Markleville. In 1857 J. H. Hartman and F. G. Hahman, pioneer merchants of Santa Rosa opened a trading-post under the name of Hartman & Hahman, which they later sold to Levi & Co. About the same time Markle opened a tavern for the accommodation of travelers and pack-trains. A school built by J. A. Kleiser, opened in 1861. In the spring of 1872 W. J. Bowman started the Cloverdale Review, the first paper in town. After a few issues he abandoned the enterprise. Soon after, J. B. Baccus commenced the publication of the Cloverdale Bee, which he continued for about six months. In 1876, the Cloverdale News was started by W. S. Walker who sold his interest to J. F. Hoadley. The town was incorporated by special act of the legislature of 1875-6. . . [7]

"A look at Cloverdale way back when" [59 Historical Pictures]. [2] . . . Link

"Cloverdale celebrates its 150th birthday" [Article] . . . Link

When the tracks finally reached Cloverdale in 1872, things got a whole lot busier. It would be 17 years before the rails went on to Ukiah, so Cloverdale, at the end of the line, was the shipping point for wool and lambs from the ranches to the west and into Mendocino County. Some estimates say that there were half a million sheep in that area in those years. And it wasn't just sheep. There was milled lumber for the expanding Bay Area and wagonloads of tan bark bound for leather processors. And there was quicksilver from the cinnabar mines to the east and the "split stuff" made by dozens of wood workers who fashioned shakes and shingles, grape stakes and fence posts and even railroad ties in the rugged country to the north and west…”

Cloverdale's first post office (c. 1871–1880)

"Cloverdale gets its name from once-prolific clover" [Article] . . . Link

Historical Society . . . Link . . . Official City Page . . . County Page

Historic Inns of Cloverdale . . . Archived Web Link

Old Crocker Inn (1982): In 1840, a Rocky Mountain fur trapper named Cyrus Alexander rode his horse north of San Francisco at the request of San Diego sea captain Henry Delano Fitch. The property remained vacant until 1982 when Dorothy & Fred Houston discovered it and transformed it into the Old Crocker Inn Bed & Breakfast Retreat. In 1987, the Houston's sold the property to Karl Von Mecklenburg, who used it as a private residence until 2000.

Shelford House (1885): The home was originally built in 1885 by Eurastus M. Shelford on property given to him by his father, John Shelford III, that was purchased in 1863 as part of the Rancho Musalacon Land Grant. Six generations of the Shelford family have lived either in the house or adjoining ranch properties for over one hundred and thirty years.

Tea Garden Inn (circa 1879): This lovingly preserved Victorian was built in 1879 and has seen many changes over the years. For example, English Tea Garden Inn was previously an emergency hospital and nurses quarters. Extensive restoration has made this one of the loveliest historic Bed & Breakfast Inns in Northern California.

Vintage Towers Inn (1901): This lovingly preserved Queen Anne Victorian, built in 1901, is privileged to be listed on the United States Register of Historic Places. The Vintage Towers once was owned by wealthy merchant and mining executive Simon Pinschower. In 1901, he hired Petaluma architect Brainerd Jones to design the beautiful Queen Anne victorian structure, which originally had one round tower in the front of the house. In 1913, the subsequent owner commissioned Jones to add two additional towers, which inspired the Inn's name. Each tower was built in a different shape — one round, one square, and one octagonal, setting the house apart from others of its day.

History of Cloverdale [City Page] . . . Link

History of the Cloverdale Fire District . . . Link

List of Chiefs: 1886 – 1890 J.H. Barker, 1890 – 1894 W. H. Porterfield, 1894 – 1897 G. Cameron, 1898 – 1902 Herb Fletcher, 1902 – 1903 B. Hemseth, 1903 – 1904 R. L. Cameron, 1904 – 1907 Miller Scott, 1907 – 1909 Jacob Anker, 1909 – 1914 J. E. Helm, 1914 – 1917 Antone Reger, 1917 – 1919 C. G. Kuhn, 1919 – 1924 Lawrence Hulbert, 1924 – 1927 A. C. (Tony) Reger, 1927 – 1929 W. C. Lacey, 1929 – 1935 Joe Kothgassner, 1935 – 1938 A. C. (Tony) Reger, 1938 – 1940 Damon Raef, 1940 – 1950 Russell Thompson, 1950 – 1951 Glenn Allen, 1951 – 1952 Al Montedonico, 1952 – 1968 Ralph Warner

Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Cloverdale, California . . . Link

"Neighborhoods: Five historical facts about Cloverdale" [Article & 16 photos] . . . Link

Sonoma & Marin Railroad (Cloverdale was the end of one line) . . . Link

Historic Business & Industry

“Pop” McCray’s Clubhouse (circa 1872) (where Barnes Lumber is now located) . . . Link

Bank of Cloverdale . . . Image (Slide 10) . . . Bank of Cloverdale, 1913.

Butler’s market . . . Image (Slide 22)

Grocer Clement Butler with a horse and buggy, circa 1910. Clement Butler was a former mayor of Cloverdale. He operated Butler's Market. He married Louisa Brush Wilson.

Cameron’s Blacksmith Shop . . Link

The [Cloverdale] volunteer firemen raised the $150.00 needed to purchase the fire bell. On November 20, 1886, the bell was finally delivered to Cameron’s Blacksmith Shop.

Cloverdale Hotel . . . Image (Slide 56)

A view of West and First streets looking north in 1903. The photo shows the Cloverdale Hotel, Union Hall, Humbert's Opera House and the Mitchell Brothers Saloon. The entire block was destroyed by fire in 1905.

Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians . . . Link

Dad Snyder Hotel/Tavern . . . Image (Slide 3)

The Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce, circa 1920, lined up on the sidewalk with Tay's Garage and Dad Snyder Hotel/Tavern in the background. (Courtesy of the Sonoma County Library- Sonoma Heritage Collection)

Gothrup's Drug Store. . . Image (Slide 50)

A wagon team loaded with bales of wool stands in front of the Cloverdale Post Office in 1913. The photo also depicts Gothrup's Drug Store to the far left.

Harris Bakery . . . Image (Slide 51)

Early 20th century phIoto of West Street showing the Shaw-Bowman building, phone exchange, McClelland Grocery Store, Harris Bakery and a clothing store.

Humbert's Opera House. . . Image (Slide 56)

Imrie and Mc Clelland grocery. . . Image (Slide 16)

A 1908 postcard of Cloverdale after a snowstorm, showing West Street with Imrie and Mc Clelland grocery and group of men at the corner.

John O. Ogle's harness and saddlery shop, 1903 . . . Image (Slide 29)

Louisiana-Pacific Lumber Mill . . . Link . . . In 1993, 300 jobs were eliminated alone when Louisiana-Pacific closed its lumber mill.

M. V. Hall Livery Stable . . . Image (Slide 41)

. . . on the northeast corner of West and Second streets, circa 1870. M.V. Hall was Cloverdale's first livery stable.

McClelland Grocery Store . . . Image (Slide 51)

Early 20th century photo of West Street showing the Shaw-Bowman building, phone exchange, McClelland Grocery Store, Harris Bakery and a clothing store.

Mitchell Brothers Saloon. . . Image (Slide 56)

Old Gist Mill on Sulphur Creek in 1885 . . . Images (Slides 42, 43)

Phone Exchange . . . Image (Slide 51)

Early 20th century photo of West Street showing the Shaw-Bowman building, phone exchange, McClelland Grocery Store, Harris Bakery and a clothing store.

Pick’s Drive-In (Reed & Bell Root Beer Refreshery) . . . Link . . . Facebook

Pick's Drive-in: The spot was originally opened as a Reed & Bell Root Beer Refreshery during prohibition in 1923.

R. C. DeNise’s Hotel . . . Link

On Friday, June 13, 1890, (Friday the 13th) the Alert No. 1 Fire Company was faced with Cloverdale’s first major fire. The fire started at 11:30 p.m. in the Seavy Bros. Harness Shop; within minutes the entire block was consumed. The fire destroyed a saddle shop, R.C. DeNise’s Hotel, two homes and the harness shop.

Riverside Water Company . . Link

On August 4, 1884, a water company began to take form. Bonds paying 6 percent interest were sold for $100.00 each, and in 1885, officers were named and the Riverside Water Company was formed. The Riverside Water Company went into operation on October 24, 1885, and quickly installed water mains and fireplugs.

Seavy Bros. Harness Shop . . . Link

Shaw, Bowman & Co. . . . Image (Slide 47)

A view of downtown Cloverdale showing Shaw, Bowman & Co., the Wells Fargo Express Office and the post office, circa 1880.

Tays’s Garage . . . Image (Slide 3)

United States Hotel (1862-1947) . . . Image (Slide 26)

Guests arriving at the United States Hotel by stage in 1900. The hotel was built in 1862 by Fred Gerkhardt, sold to Michael Menihan in 1873, and burned down in 1947.

Van Davis’ Livery Stable (circa 1876) . . . Link

The city’s records were destroyed by fire at Van Davis’ Livery Stable on December 28, 1876 and records kept by the county in regards to the town were destroyed in Santa Rosa during the Great 1906 earthquake.

The Town Today

American Towns . . . Link

Attractions in Cloverdale . . . Link

Cloverdale Today [Niche] (has a map of location) . . . Link

Sonoma County Life Opens Up: Cloverdale . . . Link

Town Homepage . . . Link

Wikipedia Page: Cloverdale . . . Link

WikiVoyage: Cloverdale . . . Link

Places of Interest

Alexander Valley . . . Link

Clover Springs Preserve . . . Link

Cloverdale Fire Department . . . History

In 1938, another major project that was funded by water revenue was a new firehouse and city hall on West Street. The Fire Department moved out of the original firehouse on Commercial Street to the newly constructed firehouse on West Street where City Hall now stands. City Hall is currently operating out of the same building and the firehouse was relocated in 1972 to its new building on Broad Street. The dedication of the new firehouse was on February 22, 1972, many local citizens and public dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Cloverdale Free Library . . . Image (Slide 18)

Cloverdale School (circa 1890-1917) . . . Image (Slides 5, 6)

Cloverdale School, circa 1890, was built on land donated by J. A. Kleiser at West and School streets, and torn down in 1917.

Gould-Shaw House . . . Link . . . Link

The house is a rare example of Sonoma County Gothic Revival Cottage, an architectural style of the Victorian Era. Its significance was recognized as early as 1877 in the Atlas of Sonoma County which described it as one of the finest residences in Cloverdale. . . . Image (Slide 39) Minerva Shaw standing in front of the Gould-Shaw House at 215 North Cloverdale Blvd., circa 1906. The residence is the current home of the Cloverdale History Center/Museum.

Grange Hall (circa 1920) . . . Image (Slide 12) . . . Building the Grange Hall in Cloverdale, circa 1920.

Icaria-Speranza Utopian Colony (Marker) . . . Link

Markleville . . . Link . . Cloverdale was previously known as Markleville for R.B. Markle, a man who owned land there during the mid-19th century.

Prescott Mansion . . . Image (Slide 45)

The Prescott Mansion, located at Main and Fourth streets, in Cloverdale circa 1900. Mr. Prescott was owner of Union Ironworks in San Francisco. The house was built with the profits from building the battleship 'Oregon,' and burnt down on Oct. 20, 1953.

Union Hall . . . Image (Slide 56)

United Church of Cloverdale (a.k.a. Congregational Church of Cloverdale) . . . Image (Slide 54)

The front view of the United Church of Cloverdale (a.k.a. Congregational Church of Cloverdale) around 1920. The building was designed by Francis Reid (1863-1949).

Events

Cloverdale Citrus Fair . . . Link

The Cloverdale Citrus Fair kicked off in 1892 and it remains an annual tradition to this day.

Maps

Alexander Valley Reach Cloverdale Area [Permit Sonoma] . . . Link

Cloverdale / Northeast County [Permit Sonoma] . . . Link

Citations

[1] Wikipedia contributors. "Cloverdale, California." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Aug. 2022. Web. 22 Aug. 2022 . . . Link

[2] "A look at Cloverdale way back when", by Janet Balicki. Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2022-08-22.

"Cloverdale then & now: being a history of Cloverdale, California, its environs and families". United States, Historical Society, 1982. . . . Link

[3] "Historical and Descriptive Sketch Book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino: Comprising Sketches of Their Topography, Productions, History, Scenery, and Peculiar Attractions", C.A. Menefee, 1873 . . . Link

[4] "Historical and Descriptive Sketch of Sonoma County, California" Robert Allan Thompson. L.H. Everts, 1877 - Sonoma County (Calif.) - 104 pages. [??? pp 100-101] . . . Link

[5] "History of Sonoma County: Including Its Geology, Topography, Mountains, Valleys and Streams ...."' United States, Higginson Book Company, 1880. (page 205.) . . . Link . . . Text at CAGenWeb

[6] "An Illustrated History of Sonoma County, California: Containing a History of the County of Sonoma from the Earliest Period of Its Occupancy to the Present Time", Lewis Publishing, 1889 . . . Link

[7] McCann, Debra. "Towns of Sonoma County Past and Present." Sonoma County Welcome. Sonoma County Genealogical Site Archived Website, 20011. WaybackMachine Web. Viewed 19 Apr. 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20071021085407/http://users.ap.net/%7Echenae/socotown.html

[8] Wagele, Joan, and Gray, Marge. Cloverdale. United States, Arcadia Pub., 2008. . . Link

A CAGenWeb Project

Sonoma County Genealogy