Bennett Valley Voice

BENNETT VALLEY VOICE

Vol. 7 No. 4 Bennett Valley Homeowners Association

OCT 1984 BAHA

Board Of Directors

President Vice-President Sec. -Treas. Warren Watkins David Steiner Nancy Batson Dona Moberly Bill Jacobs Sam Mitchell Tamara Boultbee Paul Mowbray Bill MacIver

Memo From The Board

Mark October 17 on your calendar. Your BVHA will meet at 7:30 at the firehouse to nominate and elect directors. At least one of three possible positions will be open as 5am Mitchell has decided not to seek re-election. David Steiner and Bill Jacobs are likely candidates for re-election.

We thank Sam for his service to the valley these past years. Please make it a point to attend this annual meeting, let your views be known, and nominate or run for the board. Our association has been successful in guiding the future of Bennett Valley at the county and city level. We need your support for this success to continue. See you on October 17!

As outlined in our last newsletter, a move by the mobile home industry to amend county ordinance #2985 was heard by the county board of supervisors on September 18. We testified against the proposed amendment which would have allowed mobile homes on individual parcels here and are pleased to report that the supervisors supported us.

Mobile homes, it was concluded, are not appropriate in the The construction phase of the addition to Matanzas Creek Winery is under way simultaneously with the grape crush. The project will be completed none too soon as this successful enterprise quickly sells its limited wine production.

As you may rave read, James Harberson has been appointed by the Governor to the vacant 2nd district supervisor position. Portions of the Pressley and Sonoma Mtn. road areas are included in his district. Residents are urged to watch for issues which affect us.

Police Protection - Good Or Bad?

A recent incident in which a Bennett Valley resident was viciously assaulted in his front yard has raised once again the concern, by many residents, that the response time and follow-up investigative work of the sheriff's department is inadequate. The Homeowners Board has contacted Sheriff McDermott asking for an explanation of the apparent slow response time and the alleged absence of detective work and follow-up. The

The Bruggemann Ranch 1879-1984

Board also requested improved protection in Bennett Valley. Supervisor Adams has also beel contacted. The question was brought up again, before the Homeowners Board, concerning the feasibilit of setting up a private, manned patrol for the area but the logistics and cost of such an appear to be insurmountable at this time.

ider Located ½ mile southeast of the intersection of Bennett Valley Road and Yulupa Avenue is the Bruggemann Ranch, one of the oldest homes in Bennett Valley. Itis not an Historical Landmark but has come under the study as such. A description of the house: The rooflines, verandas, door and window openings all present a collage of interlocking lines.

The proportions are Greek Revival. 4-light sash windows are also indicative of the style. The roof is multiple gable, made of asbestos tile (not original). Three gables form the front facade. There are many additions. The finish is tongue and groove (ship-lap) in need of paint.

A Transom window tops the double front doors. The house has an in-wall hot water tank, heated by a wood stove. The home is worthy of preservation and includes many additional buildings and a barn, all in good condition Jane Bruggemann Turner, grandaughter of Christian F. Bruggemann writes on her family:

"In the Fall of 1879, Christian Frederick Bruggemann and his bride Anna Elise arrived in Santa Rosa from Oldenburg, They decided to make Bennett Valley their home, and purchased 160 acres from John S. Van Doren. Having learned the carpenters trade in Germany, Christian Bruggemann built the home for his family, "In August of 1884 he became a citizen of the additions through the years." He resided on his ranch until his death in 1932 at the age of 84.

During his ranching career he had apple orchards, vineyards and raised Milking Shorthorn cattle. He was preceded in death by his wife who died in 1930 at the age of 80. They had two children, Anna Margaret and John Frederick." "Anna Margaret Bruggemann did not marry but pursued nursing as a career• At the age of 72 she retired from nursing and resided in Oakland until her death in 1972 at the age of 88.

John Frederick married Tillie Zimmerman, formerly of Petaluma, in 1931. They had two daughter: They resided and maintained the family ranch until his death in 1967 at age of 80. At that time the ranch was inherited by Joanne and Jane. John Frederick's wife died in 1972. " "In 1879, when Christian and Anna Bruggemann settled in Bennett Valley, it was becoming a prosperous agricultural community. At one time nearly 90 ranches and farms were located in the valley.

Bennett Valley also once had a post office which was called 'Yulupa'. existence until about 1880, located in the blacksmith shop of the postmaster, Dana B. Bremner. The Bremner ranch was later owned by Hans Nortensen. The first school in Bennett Valley began in å barn on the Glen Cook property, on theeast side of Matanzas Crock across from the Bruggemann Ranch.

The first teacher was David Ogan. The school was moved to higher ground on an acre of land donated by John S. Van Doren. The school was separated by a roadway from the Bennett Valley Cemetary, on land also donated by Mr. Van Doren. In 1956 the school was abandoned for being unsafe for classes.

A new school was built on property purchased from Joseph Gilardoni. The old Bennett Valley School site is now owned by Joseph Pisenti. The school was attended by Anna Margaret and John Frederick Bruggemann and by Joanne and Jene Bruggemann. John Frederick Bruggemann was a 50 year member of the Bennett Valley Grange.

His wife, Tillie, and daughters Joanne and Jane were also members." Today, three agricultural businesses are thriving at the old home site under the directio Siegel, who for the last 6 years has leased the property for the cultivation of flowers for dried wreaths and garlands.

Known as the Bennett Valley Farm, they grow 90% of the flowers used in the arrangements on the Bruggemann property. They also grow vegatables an fresh flowers in other parts of the county. Mr. Siegel teaches a course in food production at Sonoma State University.

they produce, also on the premises, are shipped acro: the Vos. and Canada. The business has doubled and expanded each year and this year will tripple its production. Spring '85 will bring the sale of compost to landscape contractors and nurseries. Manure for this comes from local turkey and horse ranches.

This also appers to be a worthwhile farming venture for Bennett Valley Farms. Supplying oak firewood for the community has also become a part of farm work. Wood is cut in a neighboring county end shippe here for pale. Association has received an application presented to the county subdividing the existing 85.72 acres of the Bruggemann property by Dennis Hunter, Developer; Bruggemann, Brelje and Race, Engineers.

Called the Deer Field Project, it would divide the acreage into 8 parcels, the smallest being 5 acres on up to the 28.7 acres near the golf course, avereging the lot sizes 10.72 acres. Current zoning is Al-Bo, 10 acre density with a 5 rcre minimum with wells and septic systems.

Summerfield Road would be extended to meet the property built to residences. Thetopography is flat to steep, 2-50% slope. no city L priberdor private roads the property. This proposal comes secondly after a refusal by the City to annex the property into the Limits earlier in 1984 as also proposed by Hunter.

This second plan calls for developing the portion of the property above Matanzas Creek or the wooded slope, keeping the old home on 5 acres as is, and not developing the 28.7 flat acreage near the golf course. (Many thanks to Mrs. Jane B. Turner for having so kindly written to us on her family Thanks also to Mr. Allen Siegel for sharing his enthusiasm and success as a present Other sources included a state study for historical preservation and the proposal presented by Developer, Dennis Hunter).

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