12/26/1995
Landmark information
- Location:
SW corner of intersection of Mirabel and River Rds (PM 17.4), near Mirable Park, 8 mi W of Santa Rosa - Plaque:
Official State Plaque - Site:
Nothing Remains - Date First Visited:
12/26/1995 - Date Most Recently Visited:
12/26/1995 - GPS Coordinates:
N 38 29.614, W 122 53.747
About this landmark
Plaque text:
First Power Commercial Sawmill
In 1834, Mariano G. Vallejo's brother-in-law, John B.R. Cooper, constructed California's first known power-operated commercial sawmill. In addition to sawing redwood lumber, the mill and settlement served as a barrier to Russian encroachment from the west. Located 1/3 mile east on Mark West Creek, the water-powered mill was destroyed by flood in the winter of 1840-41.