Freestone, California

Coordinates: 38°22′21″N 122°54′56″W / 38.37250°N 122.91556°W / 38.37250; -122.91556
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Freestone, California
FIPS code
06-25618
GNIS feature ID1658578

Freestone is an unincorporated community in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. A former stone and logging town, Freestone is the entryway to the Bohemian Highway. In 1974, Freestone became the first historic district named by Sonoma County. The downtown comprises a handful of historic buildings with a selection of local businesses, including a cheese shop, winery, bakery, and a day spa. Freestone has a population of 32.[2]

History

Freestone is named after a

saw mill. Eventually the three men left the area.[3]

land surveyor, O'Farrell surveyed the surrounding area, which he called Analy Township. O'Farrell found success in the area, acquiring a total of 560 acres of land. He was elected to the California State Senate in 1859. Within a year he had to sell his land and in 1870 he moved back to San Francisco.[3]

North Pacific Coast Railroad train in Freestone, 1893

Freestone had a

Hinds Hotel was built by the depot in August, just prior to the train stop opening. The railroad transported lumber and produce to and from San Francisco. In 1930, the railroad stopped operating due to the growing popularity of cars and trucks.[3]

The first school was built in Freestone by the 1880s, which was used for schooling until 1958. In 1881, the first church was built in Freestone, a

Methodist church. That church was eventually destroyed and a second church was built in 1907, only to be demolished in the 1960s. The town had a post office by the 1880s. The end of the railroad service to Freestone is considered the end of "the era of development and prosperity" historically.[3]

In 1974, Freestone was deemed a

Italianate and Queen Anne architectural styles. The Hind's Hotel was designated Landmark #2 in the County that same year, followed by the now-demolished Morgan Williams Residence, and the remaining Freestone Schoolhouse and Freestone Country Store.[4]

Economy

Historically, Freestone was first a lumber town, with a saw mill on the Salmon Creek. Eventually, a sandstone quarry was operated in the area. Railroad service eventually began, transporting lumber and produce to San Francisco. The railroad depot closed in 1930, halting economic growth in Freestone.[3] Today, the economy is primarily hospitality based.

Tourism

Freestone comprises a handful of businesses, including a bakery, cheese store, general store, a gift shop, and the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.[2]

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Freestone
  2. ^ a b "Historic Freestone". Sonoma County. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Freestone Historic District Survey and Design Guidelines Update. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). March 2012.
  4. ^ "Historic Landmark Search". Permit and Resource Management Department. County of Sonoma. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
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