Fort Ross is located about 12 miles north of Jenner off Coast Route CA 1. The fort is in the form of a quadrilateral with one foot thick redwood fence all around. There are two observation towers in two corners with windows to look out and guns to ward off any attackers. The Russians were able to keep off the Spaniards living barely 100 miles south in their missions.
A sandy cove at the back of the fort was the site for the Russian ships to dock. The Russians sent food and supplies to Alaska and Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) from here.
The Cove at the Back of the Fort as viewed from the western watch-tower
The governer's house is now being restored and has exhibits depicting the life in the colony during 1800s. The first windmill in California was erected at this fort.
We were charmed by a beautiful Russian Church in one corner of the compound. It had a bronze bell with Russian inscription and a picture of Mother Mary. I took the liberty to hear the sound of the bell to experience the bell that the devotees would have heard a couple of hundred years ago.
The Church
Details on the Church Bell
Back at the visitor museum one learns about the local Miwok Indians who dealt with the Russians and the Aluits from Alaska who lived a the fort with the Russians. We learned that the Aluits were great at making kayaks using wood and sea lion skin and using these Kayaks to hunt marine mammals. The fur from sea otters was a valuable commodity in the 1800s.
Aleuit Baidarka (Kayak) made from Sea Lion Skin
An exhibit on Aleuits at Fort Ross
