Jenner - Fort Ross State Historic Park
Some 50mi/80km north of San Francisco, on the U.S. 1, lies Fort Ross State Historic Park. From 1812 to 1841 the Russians who built the fort settled here in the hope of being better able to provide Alaska with wheat and other foodstuffs than they could from Russia itself. 95 Russians, as well as Aleutians and Kodiaks, built their village and the fort. Then they began to fish for otters and finally to trade with Spanish California.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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It is open to debate whether they would have tried later to have taken over more Californian land but the Spaniards had decided in 1769 to occupy Alta California, in order to prevent a possible Russian penetration into the almost uninhabited areas in the west of the American continent. However, in 1812 the Spaniards had still not got past San Francisco Bay towards the north. They first learned of the arrival of the Russians when Fort Ross had already been built.
Inside the wooden fort were the commandant's house, the chapel and two log-cabins - all carefully reconstructed in latter years. Two to three dozen cannons were kept in the cabins.
Inside the wooden fort were the commandant's house, the chapel and two log-cabins - all carefully reconstructed in latter years. Two to three dozen cannons were kept in the cabins.
Things to See
Russian Orthodox Chapel
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.
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.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Sunrise | Sunrise | Sunrise |
| Close | Sunset | Sunset | Sunset |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November )
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
