Anderson Valley facts for kids
Anderson Valley is a quiet area in western Mendocino County in Northern California. It is about 100 miles (160 km) north of San Francisco. The name "Anderson Valley" refers to several small, rural towns. These towns are found along Anderson Creek and other streams that flow into the Navarro River.
The valley is named after William Anderson. He was one of the first European settlers to live there.
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What is Anderson Valley Like?
Anderson Valley stretches from Boonville to Navarro. Boonville is on Anderson Creek. Philo is on Indian Creek. Rancheria, Anderson, Indian, and Soda creeks all flow into the Navarro River. This river then goes north and west through the mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The Navarro River starts near Philo. Its mouth is 10 miles (16 km) south of Mendocino, California. The Navarro River area covers about 315 square miles (816 km²). It is the biggest coastal river area in Mendocino County. The ground here is usually calm, with no major earthquakes.
Weather and Nature
The weather in Anderson Valley is mild. This is because of cool air that comes from the ocean. Steep hills and mountains surround flat areas along the creeks. The main natural plants are forests with tall Coast Redwood trees, different kinds of oak trees, and Douglas fir. The land goes from sea level up to 2,500 feet (762 m) high.
The valley gets about 35 to 80 inches (890 to 2,030 mm) of rain each year. The average temperature is about 53°F (12°C). The growing season, when there is no frost, lasts from 220 to 365 days. Near the coast, summers are cool and wet with lots of fog. But in the main Anderson Valley area, summers are warm to hot. Daytime temperatures can sometimes go over 100°F (38°C).
A Look at History
The first people to live in Anderson Valley were Native Americans. They spoke two of the seven Pomoan languages. The Pomo people in the Yorkville area spoke the Central Pomo language. The Tabahtea Pomo, from Boonville west to Navarro, spoke the Northern Pomo language. These groups lived in 19 known village sites. About 600 people lived here in 1855.
Early Settlers and Industries
European American settlers started arriving in Anderson Valley after 1850. They first grew their own food to live. Later, they began cutting down trees for wood and raising animals like sheep and cattle. Some of the first European American settlers included Henry Beeson and William Anderson. William Anderson is who the valley is named after.
John Gschwend built the first sawmill powered by water in 1857. It was along the Navarro River. Thomas Hiatt built the first steam-powered sawmill in 1877 near Boonville. By 1880, about 1,000 people lived in the valley. They had 75,000 sheep and 20,000 cattle. People also started growing apples and hops for sale. This was before the year 1900. During this time, a local folk language called Boontling also developed.
The 1940s and 1950s were busy times. New machines and better roads made it easy to cut down many redwood forests quickly. Many sawmills opened to handle this timber boom.
Changes Over Time
By the 1960s, the sheep, timber, and apple businesses started to slow down. Large areas of land were no longer used for farming or logging. Instead, they were divided into smaller plots. The first vineyards for wine grapes were planted around this time.
By the 1980s, the timber industry was much smaller. The sheep industry had only a few farms left. The apple farms were also much smaller than before. In 1989, Sean Donovan started KZYX. This is a local radio station that is part of National Public Radio.
The Wine Industry Today
A big growth in winemaking started in the 1980s. This led to the creation of the Anderson Valley AVA. This area is known for special kinds of wine. These include Alsatian wines, pinot noir, and sparkling wine. Today, the wine industry is the most important part of Anderson Valley's economy. Some major wine producers are Lazy Creek Vineyards and Roederer Estate.
There are two main wine events each year. The Pinot Noir Festival happens in May. The International Alsace Varietals Festival is in late February. Besides wine, there is also a successful microbrewery called the Anderson Valley Brewing Company. It is located near Boonville.
Anderson Valley has nice restaurants and places to stay. The beautiful nature and quiet country life attract artists, writers, musicians, and skilled craftspeople.
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