Our History
History
Penngrove is a census designated place located in Sonoma County between the cities of Petaluma and Cotati. It is located at the western base of Sonoma Mountain. The main section of Penngrove is located on Main Street which is an approximately .3 miles long street between Adobe and Petaluma Hill Road. It has an elementary school and several eateries, service and wellness providers as well as local merchants.
Originally, Rancho Cotate was granted to Captain Juan Castaneda in 1844 by the Mexican Government. This grant included present day Penngrove as well as Cotati and Rohnert Park. The first European settlers in Penngrove arrived in 1852. By 1870, the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad has track laid from Petaluma to Santa Rosa and transited through Penngrove.
The town was originally known as Penn’s Grove and while there are several origin stories for the naming of Penngrove, it is agreed that in 1907 the U.S. Post Office Department changed the name to one word—Penngrove.
Penngrove served as an early freight station on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and was known for its stone quarries, egg and chicken farms. The basalt paving stones from these quarries were used to pave the streets of Petaluma and San Francisco. At one time 200 men worked the three quarries at the end of the 19th century. After the turn of the century Penngrove became the second largest egg and poultry producer in the country.
Historic Buildings
In the mid 1800’s travel between Petaluma and Santa Rosa was possible due to accommodations in the first structure in Penngrove, the Eagle Hotel. Ox team and wagons were the main conveyance over dusty roads and so a the hotel was a necessary place to rest on the trip.
Before there were any businesses established in Penngrove, the production of basalt paving stones was the main industry in the area. As the railroad was constructed and passed through the area, the town began to form near the main crossing on Main Street. Buildings began to be erected just south of the tracks and many of these remain today.
“Penngrove’s finest building is the Bank Building. Painted a redwood color, its ivory columns touched by black and green trim, it looms tall and stately on Main Street’s west side. Above the front door, a bas relief ribbon holds a spray of pastel-colored flowers. The striking appearance is courtesy of Lew and Janet Baer, owners since 1975. “
Sources: Press Democrat and Penngrove History by Ellen Harris Penngrove Past & Present
Images courtesy of Sonoma County Digital Library
