Monte Rio California

Russian River

He Russian River-that wide ribbon of water sprawling from the Laughlin Range to the sea- has long had something of an identity crisis. The Pomo Indians first called it "Ashokawna", meaning "east water," fishing its depths for bass and shad. Later, the tribe christened it "Bidapte," working the "big river" mouth for chinook. When the Spaniards arrived with colonial zeal, they renamed the river "San Ygnacio," though their land grant documents from the era mark the water as "Rio Grande." The Russians who settled its banks called the river "Slavianka" (meaning "Slav woman.") When the Indians fled and the Spaniards were banished, those Russians dug in and grew roots. In time their population swelled to a solid majority and the river-after answering over time to more names than a schizophrenic off its meds-was renamed for the paternity of its squatters.

The river's known history dates back 12,000 years. Elk, bear, mammoth, and mountain lion roamed the lush oak and madrone forests flanking its banks. Archaeologists believe ancient villages here were once home to more than 10,000 people, making the Russian River region the most densely populated swath of land north of Mexico.

Early in the 19th century Russian explorers sailed up the river, searching for outposts to supply their Alaskan holdings. Though they subsequently opted to establish their primary settlement on the coast at Fort Ross, many individual settlers were drawn inland. The river's temperate climate and alluvial soils proved ideal for farming.

At about the same time the Russians were staking claim, the Mexican military was pushing north, trailed in short order by clergy from Sonoma City. Although the Russian settlers never disturbed the quiet well-being of the Indian villages, planned massacres by the Mexican military and epidemics of smallpox and other European diseases all but decimated the indigenous population. Records show that by 1916, the Indian population around Healdsburg numbered 12.

Well before the Gold Rush of 1849, the Russians at Fort Ross planted grapes. While it is unknown whether wine was ever produced from those vines, viticulturists believe they are the ampelographic Adam(s) of Wine Country. After culling the sea otter population of the North Pacific for its fur, the Russians ultimately decamped Fort Ross. But subsequent settlers, many of whom migrated from the wine-producing regions of Europe, continued on with their early attempts, establishing the basis for today's thriving wine industry.

Monte Rio California - News


Russian River
Russian River

A few miles further on in Monte Rio, population 1150, you'll find a variety of roadside businesses, shops and cafés. Hike down to the beach for great river views, or take in a first-run movie inside the Rio Theater, a mural-covered Quonset hut with



Bohemian Grove: Where the rich and powerful go to misbehave

Every July, some of the richest and most powerful men in the world gather at a 2700 acre campground in Monte Rio, Calif., for two weeks of heavy drinking, super-secret talks, druid worship (the group insists they are simply “revering the Redwoods”),



The Fishing Report — June 24, 2011

Vacation Beach dam will be going in within two weeks, and then what shad are left will be caught around Monte Rio and Cassini Ranch. Big news is the large numbers of small stripers 14 to 16 inches being caught, with occasional striped bass to 10 pounds



Monaco seeks new golden era with princely wedding

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Liberty excels despite lack of funding

Only two of the top 10 Academic Performance Index score districts — Monte Rio (73 percent meal program enrollment) and Two Rock (55 percent) exceed the county rate. Conversely, seven of the 10 districts with the lowest test scores have high rates of




Kevin Kinsella Album & Tour! « The Pier Magazine

Showcases his agility as a songwriter; Kinsella’s combination of styles is deeply evocative and accessibly upbeat, summoning the likes of Jack Johnson & Michael Franti. It’s “Thanks and Praise” music with wide commercial appeal.

From founding reggae heavyweights John Brown’s Body, to starting his own independent label, I-Town Records, to recording with the mysterious and prolific roots reggae outfit 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Kevin Kinsella has flourished in establishing a contingent of talented young artists. Now it’s time for Kevin to focus his massive talents on his solo efforts.


Monte Rio California - Bookshelf

Golf Travel by Design, How You Can Play the World's Best Courses by the Sport's Top Architects

Golf Travel by Design, How You Can Play the World's Best Courses by the Sport's Top Architects

NORTHWOOD, Monte Rio, California A MacKenzie course so obscure that it cannot be found in most guidebooks, Northwood has three things going for it: location ...

Americana, dispatches from the new frontier

Americana, dispatches from the new frontier

In Darkest Bohemia Monte Rio, California ON A BEAUTIFUL JULY MORNING, I drive north from the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101 for an hour or so, ...

Stomping grounds, a pilgrim's progress through eight American subcultures

Stomping grounds, a pilgrim's progress through eight American subcultures

In Darkest Bohemia Monte Rio, California If you drive north from the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101 for an hour or so, and then make your way west toward ...

The Septic System Owner's Manual

The Septic System Owner's Manual

Monte Rio, California The town of Monte Rio, California, on the Russian River, is being forced into a plan based on faulty science, railroaded through by a ...

Gayellow Pages USA #30 2008-2009

Gayellow Pages USA #30 2008-2009

www.tinyurl.com/35m5w7 California Russian River/Sonoma Accommodation Rio Villa Beach Resort, 20292 Hwy 116, Monte Rio; 707-865- 1143 www.riovilla.com ...

Everyday Information Directory


Monte Rio, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monte Rio is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sonoma County, California along the Russian River near the ... Starting in the 1870s, Monte Rio was a stop on the North Pacific ...

Monte Rio Chamber of Commerce
Small community snuggled between the Russian River and the redwood crested mountains of Sonoma County.

Monte Rio, California
Monte Rio, CA 95462. T: (707) 865-2300. Highland Dell Lodge and Restaurant. The Highland ... studios, one-bedrooms and cottages on the river in scenic Monte Rio. ...

Monte Rio, California (CA 95462) profile: population, maps ...
Monte Rio CDP income, earnings, and wages data. Estimated median house ... Recent posts about Monte Rio, California on our local forum with over 1,000,000 ...

Monte Rio, California CA - Real Estate, Restaurants, Shopping ...
... Restaurants, Shopping, Clubs, Schools, Government, Sports, News and everything for Monte Rio, California. All at Monte Rio, California CA AmericanTowns.com ...