Jenner - Fort Ross State Historic Park

The most interesting building in the Fort Ross State Historic Park is perhaps the Russian Orthodox Chapel, originally built in 1824 and which remained standing after the Russians withdrew until it collapsed in the great earthquake of 1906. It was rebuilt in 1916/1917 and again four years later, but burned down in 1970. After having been destroyed three times, it was given its present appearance in 1974. The Russian bell, which had melted in the fire, was re-cast.

Changing owners

Although they were never attacked, the Russians were ordered back from Fort Ross by their Czar; the hopes they had for the colony were not fulfilled; the agricultural production was not sufficient for the needs of the Russians in Alaska, and the otter population was almost completely wiped out. The area was to have been sold to the Mexican government, but when negotiations foundered the rich John A. Sutter from Sacramento jumped in and bought the land from the Russians for 30,000 dollars.

Including the soldiers, the maximum Russian population must have been 700. In the period that followed Fort Ross changed owners several times, until in 1903 it passed to the state, who began to restore it.