Fort Ross, 19th century fortress in Sonoma County, United States.
Fort Ross is a 19th-century fortress in Sonoma County, California, consisting of wooden stockade walls, two blockhouses, a chapel, and several buildings arranged in a rectangular formation along the coast. The complex sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and showcases Russian log construction techniques with thick timbers and traditional Russian Orthodox architectural elements in the chapel.
The Russian-American Company founded the fort in 1812 as the southernmost Russian settlement in North America, using it primarily for fur trading and agricultural experiments. In 1841, the Russians sold the property to John Sutter after sea otter populations declined and farming failed to meet expectations.
The settlement created northern California's first multi-ethnic population, bringing together Russians, Native Alaskans, and Kashia Pomo people in daily activities.
The State Historic Park offers guided tours through the reconstructed buildings and informative exhibits about life in the Russian colony. The grounds are largely accessible and visitors should plan several hours to explore the different areas and displays at a comfortable pace.
The fort introduced several European innovations to California, including glass windows and the first windmill on the Pacific coast of North America. The chapel was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1906 and remains the only original structure from the Russian period still standing today.
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