Freestone, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freestone, California
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The Freestone general store as of 2007.
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 Freestone, California
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Sonoma |
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
95472
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| Area code | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-25618 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658578 |
Freestone is a small community in Sonoma County, California. It's not officially a city, but a "community" where people live and work.
Freestone used to be a town known for its stone and logging industries. Today, it's like a gateway to the Bohemian Highway, a scenic road. In 1974, Freestone became the very first historic district recognized by Sonoma County. This means its old buildings and history are protected. The downtown area has several historic buildings that now house local businesses. You can find a cheese shop, a winery, a bakery, and even a day spa there. About 32 people live in Freestone.
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History of Freestone
Freestone got its name from a special type of sandstone that was found and dug up here. This stone quarry started around 1861. Before that, the area was divided into three large land areas called ranchos. These ranchos were named Rancho Cañada de Jonive, Rancho Estero Americano, and Rancho Cañada de Pogolimi.
The land was split because of a disagreement between three early settlers. Their names were James McIntosh, James Black, and James Dawson. They were allowed to settle on the land by Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in the 1830s. These men built a saw mill to cut wood. Eventually, they all left the area.
Early Settlers and Businesses
Jasper O'Farrell moved to Freestone in 1849. He traded some land he owned for Rancho Cañada de Jonive. Later, he bought Rancho Estero Americano as well. O'Farrell was a land surveyor, which means he measured and mapped land. He surveyed the area around Freestone and called it Analy Township. He did very well, owning a total of 560 acres of land. In 1859, he was even elected to the California State Senate. However, within a year, he had to sell his land. By 1870, he moved back to San Francisco.
Freestone had a saloon by 1849, which is like an old-fashioned pub. The next year, a general store opened. In 1853, Freestone became a stop for a new stagecoach line. That same year, an inn and two blacksmith shops were built. Sadly, the inn burned down in 1861.
The Railroad Era
A train station, called a depot, was built for the North Pacific Coast Railroad in Freestone. Trains started stopping in the village in September 1876. A second inn, the Hinds Hotel, was built near the depot in August, just before the train service began. The railroad was very important. It carried lumber and farm products to and from San Francisco. However, by 1930, the railroad stopped running. This was because more people started using cars and trucks.
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Community Buildings
The first school in Freestone was built by the 1880s. It was used for teaching students until 1958. In 1881, the first church was built. It was a Methodist church. That church was later destroyed, and a second one was built in 1907. This second church was also taken down in the 1960s. The town also had a post office by the 1880s. When the railroad stopped service to Freestone, it marked the end of a time of growth and success for the town.
Freestone's Historic Status
In 1974, Freestone was officially named a historic district by Sonoma County. This made it the very first historic landmark in the county. The district includes 30 properties. These are mostly homes and businesses built in older styles. Some of these styles are Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne. The Hind's Hotel was also named a landmark that same year. Other landmarks included the Freestone Schoolhouse and the Freestone Country Store.
Economy of Freestone
In the past, Freestone's economy was mainly about cutting wood. There was a saw mill on the Salmon Creek. Later, a sandstone quarry also operated in the area. The railroad helped the economy by moving lumber and farm goods to San Francisco. But when the railroad depot closed in 1930, the town's economic growth slowed down.
Tourism and Local Businesses
Today, Freestone's economy mostly relies on visitors and local businesses. It's a place where people come to relax and enjoy the small-town feel.
Freestone has several unique businesses. You can visit a bakery for fresh treats. There's also a cheese store and a general store. A gift shop offers various items. One popular spot is the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, where people can go to relax and feel refreshed.
