The Russians in California: Ft. Ross

[Absalom]

An addendum to the threads about the Russians handing over Alaska 150 years ago today:

Many Americans aren't aware that the Russians, or at least some leaders of the Russian-American Company, had grander ambitions.

Starting in 1808, Alexander Baranov, chief administrator of the RAC, sent ships south along the coast with the idea of expanding Russian influence to the boundaries of the Spanish empire.

In 1812 they founded Fort Ross on the California coast. Google it for the detailed history.

Today there is a replica, and it's a California State Park, about two hours' drive north of the Bay Area. The pictures are from my last visit a few years ago. Well worth visiting if you're in the area.

The Russians must have seen the writing on the wall, because they pulled out in the 1840s and sold the fort to John Sutter, who shortly thereafter lost most of his wealth as a result of the Gold Rush.

 

[Bkreutz]

With all the fires, hopefully it's still there.

 

[soFlaNative]

I got a better perspective on the Purchase from the Louis L'amour book "Sitka" than I did from school.

 

[kalei]

The Russians built a fort in the Hawaiian Islands on the island of Kauai in 1867. All that remains today are some earth walls. It is listed as a Nat'l Historic Landmark. Name Fort Elizabeth.

 

[6518John]

Purely by chance one July 4th weekend we stumbled onto Fort Ross on vacation up the California coast. One of the large Russian Orthodox Church’s in San Fransisco had come up to Fort Ross and held a church service at the little historic chapel there on the Fort Ross compound. Then they served dinner on the grounds just like one would see at Church here in the south.

We were warmly invited to attend and made welcome. It was an amazing experience and Fort Ross is a beautiful, beautiful place.

 

[BearBio]

Fort Ross is a little hard to get to. Beautiful. Been there a half dozen times. We'd go from L.A. to Sac or SF areas, then to Fort Ross and on to Bodega Bay and Ft Bragg/Noyo Harbor, then through the Lost Coast. If you have the time, stop along Tomales Bay for some oysters==not as good as those from Oregon & Wash (especially) but darn fair. From Fort Bragg, spend a day taking the Skunk!

BTW: Tomales Bay is formed by the San Andreas Faultline.

 

[S&W ucla]

......expanding Russian influence......they founded Fort Ross on the California coast........about two hours' drive north of the Bay Area.

So.....You're sayin' the commies sold that fort, moved 2 hrs. south, and still have control?

Never heard that part, knew all about Russian Alaska and Sitka being the capital. Looks like an interesting place to visit. About 5hrs from Reno (S&WCA 2018)

 

[bigwheelzip]

The first Russians settlers in California were for "The Birds" at Bodega Bay, the location for scenes in the Alfred Hitchcock directed film.

Bodega Bay is the site of the first Russian structures built in California, which were built in 1809 by Commerce Counseller Ivan Alexandrovich Kuskov of the Russian-American Company in the lead-up to the establishment of Fort Ross.
For the Russians, the settlement in Bodega Bay was called Port Rumyantsev, named after the Russian Foreign Minister Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev, and it served as a port to support Fort Ross and the larger Russian community known as Colony Ross.

 

[Absalom]

With all the fires, hopefully it's still there.

Good point. I checked their website and FB page. It looks like they had a small fire in the upper park that was handled, and cancelled an event last weekend, but more due to many participants coming from the more affected areas inland. The park seems to be open and running normal.