Valley Ford, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valley Ford
Fowlerville
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Valley Ford in 2008
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 Valley Ford, California
Location in California
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Sonoma |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.642 sq mi (6.842 km2) |
| • Land | 2.642 sq mi (6.842 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 148 |
| • Density | 56.02/sq mi (21.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
94972
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| Area code(s) | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-81778 |
| GNIS feature ID | 236972 |
Valley Ford is a small, unincorporated community in western Sonoma County, California, United States. It is also a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. You can find it on State Route 1, north of San Francisco.
Valley Ford is part of both the San Francisco Bay Area and the Redwood Empire. It sits just north of Americano Creek, about 5 miles (8 km) from the Pacific Ocean. It's also near other towns like Dillon Beach, California and Bodega Bay, California. The nearby Estero Americano is a protected natural area.
Contents
Discovering Valley Ford's Past
Valley Ford has a rich history, starting long before European settlers arrived.
Early Inhabitants and European Arrival
For thousands of years, the native Coast Miwok and Pomo people lived in this area. They hunted, fished, and gathered food. A Miwok village called Ewapalt was located near Valley Ford.
Europeans first explored the coastline in the early 1600s. However, they did not settle here until 1812. That's when Russian fur traders came south from Alaska. They built Fort Ross, which is about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Valley Ford. The Russians stayed until 1841. After they left, the area became part of Mexico. In September 1850, California became a US state, and Valley Ford became part of Sonoma County.
Growth and Development in Valley Ford
In the 1850s, Valley Ford had a grain mill. This helped local farmers process their crops. Starting in 1876, Valley Ford became a stop on the North Pacific Coast Railroad. This railway connected Cazadero to the Sausalito ferry. This was very important because it allowed local ranchers and fishers to send their products to San Francisco.
In 1976, famous artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude created a huge art project called Running Fence. This fence passed right through Valley Ford on its way to Bodega Bay.
The Watson School was the local school for Valley Ford. It was open from 1856 to 1967. Today, it is part of a historic park about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north of the community.
Valley Ford's Location
Valley Ford is a small place. According to the United States Census Bureau, the community covers an area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
People of Valley Ford
In 2020, the population of Valley Ford was 148 people. In 2010, there were 147 people living there. The community is home to a mix of different people. Most people live in family homes.
Water Quality Concerns
Sometimes, there have been concerns about the water in Valley Ford. High levels of nitrates, possibly from nearby dairy farms, have been found in the groundwater. Because of this, some residents have chosen to use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and even bathing. Some restaurants in the area also get their water delivered from a nearby town. In early 2017, state officials advised that young children and sensitive individuals should not drink the town's well water. They also warned against boiling or filtering the water, as this would not remove the nitrates.
Local Businesses and Shops
Valley Ford is a small community, but it has several interesting businesses. You can find antique stores, art galleries, and unique shops here.
- The Valley Ford Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in town. It was built in the 1800s. Today, it has a restaurant called Rocker Oysterfeller's Kitchen & Saloon and six guest rooms.
- West County Design is an art gallery. It features beautiful wood tables, polished concrete items, and other crafts made by local artists from Sonoma County.
- The Valley Ford Market is well-known for its Batemon's Meats, which are popular in the region.
- Valley Ford Construction Corporation is a local company that does general engineering work.
- The company Shubb, which makes a musical device called a capo, has its headquarters in Valley Ford.
- Carolyn's Canvas makes different kinds of canvas products.
See also
In Spanish: Valley Ford (California) para niños
