Did you know Russia had a colony in California?
Many Californias are aware of Russian River, originally named Slavic River, but many weren’t aware of how it got its name.
Colony Ross was established by the Russian-American Company under the charter of the Russian Empire to procure goods and trade. The colony was situated from Point Arena to Tomales Bay.
Colony Ross would be the first site of windmills and shipbuilding in California, as well as the first people to record Californian history. The colony would also introduce glass windows, stoves, and all wood houses to Alta California. It would also be the place of the first vaccination in California.
The Russian empire would later sell Fort Ross, the main hub of the colony, to John Sutter, prior to the discovery of gold. It is believed that Sutter never paid for the fort, hence officially still being owned by Russia.
It has since been bought by the state, and made a historic landmark and preserved by California and Russia.
Many Californias are aware of Russian River, originally named Slavic River, but many weren’t aware of how it got its name.
Colony Ross was established by the Russian-American Company under the charter of the Russian Empire to procure goods and trade. The colony was situated from Point Arena to Tomales Bay.
Colony Ross would be the first site of windmills and shipbuilding in California, as well as the first people to record Californian history. The colony would also introduce glass windows, stoves, and all wood houses to Alta California. It would also be the place of the first vaccination in California.
The Russian empire would later sell Fort Ross, the main hub of the colony, to John Sutter, prior to the discovery of gold. It is believed that Sutter never paid for the fort, hence officially still being owned by Russia.
It has since been bought by the state, and made a historic landmark and preserved by California and Russia.