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| Landmark #4 | Sonoma County | Visited: August 13, 2016 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | General Vallejo’s home is preserved as part of Sonoma State Historic Park! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: The home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, known as “Lachryma Montis” (Tears of the Mountain), was built in 1850. Its name was derived from the springs that now are the source of Sonoma’s water supply. General Vallejo, born at Monterey July 7, 1808, was commander of the northern Mexican frontier, founder of the Pueblo of Sonoma, and a member of the first Constitutional Convention of California.
OTHER TIDBITS: What’s not to like about this cheerful, mutton-chopped defender of Spanish California’s borders from the Russians? He was a successful rancher, host of parties, and devotée of fine wines, the first to grow them commercially in California. Though groomed for service to the Mexican government, he was excommunicated from the Catholic church for refusing to turn over books in his collection that the church expressly prohibited. When the Bear Flag Revolt erupted in Sonoma circa 1846, Vallejo was the rebels’ first target. William B. Ide sent Ezekiel Merritt into the Vallejo home to capture the general, and Vallejo ended up charming him into wine and conversation. A strong believer in democracy and tired of the incompetence of Mexican leadership, Vallejo was officially neutral but secretly supportive of American annexation of California. Though American settlers would loot most of his properties and he never fully returned to his original wealth, Mariano Vallejo would go on to serve in the state constitutional convention at Colton Hall and as the only native Californio on the new state senate. He gave his name to the city of Vallejo and set aside land to house the second state capitol of California! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Vallejo Home Sonoma State Historic Park Spain St at 3rd St W Sonoma, CA 95476 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~410mi (660km) — 6.9hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open daily from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM! |
