Cooper's Sawmill facts for kids

Cooper's Sawmill was a very important place in California's history! It was the first sawmill in California that used power to cut wood for selling. You can find its historical spot about two miles north of Forestville, California, near Santa Rosa.

The Story of Cooper's Sawmill

Building the First Power Sawmill

A man named John B. R. Cooper built this special sawmill in 1834. It was located on a large piece of land called Rancho El Molino. He built the mill even before he officially received the land through a land grant. This means the government gave him permission to own and use that land.

How the Sawmill Worked

Cooper's Sawmill became the very first sawmill in California to use water power for commercial purposes. This means it used the force of moving water to operate its machinery and cut wood to sell. The mill got its power from Mark West Creek. The main type of wood cut here was redwood lumber, which was very useful for building.

The Sawmill's End

Sadly, the sawmill did not last forever. In early 1841, just a few years after it was built, a big flood destroyed it.

A California Historical Landmark

Honoring Cooper's Sawmill

Even though the sawmill was destroyed, its importance was remembered. On November 3, 1969, Cooper's Sawmill was officially named a California Historical Landmark. This special title helps to protect and remember important places in California's past.