The document details the construction of various historical birdhouses built as replicas of significant Sonoma County landmarks, starting from 1992. These unique birdhouses often serve dual purposes as nesting boxes and feeders, incorporating reclaimed materials while showcasing local history. Each entry includes the construction date, historical context, and architectural details, reflecting the creator's commitment to preserving Sonoma County's heritage.

2. General Store
The vary first birdhouse built in 1992 started simple, but soon
the whole thing escalated.
Following is a sampling of what I’ve got myself into.
Built 10/18/1992

3. Bennett Valley Grange Hall
Built in 1873 this Sonoma County historical landmark is #36
This grange holds the distinction of being the
oldest continuously used Grange Hall in the United States.
Built 1/6/2012

4. Holy Trinity Chapel at fort Ross
Built in 1825 as part of the Russian colony at Fort Ross.
Designated as Sonoma County historical landmark #114
Built 6/10/2011

5. Chateau St. Jean Winery
Built in 1910 in Kenwood CA
Designated as Sonoma County historical landmark #76
Built 6/18/1993

6. Church of One Tree
Built in 1873 from one redwood tree that stood 275ft tall. 18ft in
diameter and produced 78,000 board feet of lumber milled in
Stumptown, CA.
Housed a Ripley's believe-it-or-Not museum until 2010.
Built 8/25/1993

7. Coleman Valley Ranch House
Sonoma County Historic Landmark #134 was built in
Greek Revival style. Built in 1860’s at 17220
Coleman Valley Road Occidental, CA.
Built 11/29/2011

8. Crane Melon Ranch Barn
Built in 1868 at 4935 Petaluma Hill Road Santa
Rosa CA 95404. Most famous for selling Crane
Melons after Oliver Crane developed the Crane
Melon at the turn of the 20th century at this site.

9. DeTurk Round Barn
Built in 1891 in the historic Railroad district of
Santa Rosa, California. Originally built to house
prized trotting horses by Isaac DeTurk and is one
of only two true round barns in California.

10. Eagle Ridge Winery
Built in 1890 and originally part of Mariano Vallejo's Rancho
Petaluma then property of the old Denman Creamery in
Penngrove, California
Built 8/1/1993

11. El Verano Inn
El Verano Inn is a gathering place and has been since 1887 when it was the
General Store & Post Office.
Known as the last roadhouse still rocking the Sonoma Valley today.
Built 1/11/2011

12. Empire Building
Built in 1910 after the great quake of 1906 destroyed much of
Santa Rosa. Stands as the center piece in Old Courthouse Square.
Built 9/1/1993

13. Freestone Store
Built in 1876 the Freestone Country Store is Sonoma
County historical landmark #2 complete with all the
character of a country general store.
Built 10/10/2011

14. Old Geyserville Hotel
The Old Geyserville Hotel was built in 1890 in the Italianate Victorian style.
Located at 21253 Redwood Highway Geyserville, CA and dedicated as
Sonoma County historical landmark #101
Built 1/19/2012

15. Glen Ellen Hotel Cheuvet
Built in 1906 and registered in Sonoma County as historical
landmark #86 Classic Revival style and located at 13756
Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen, CA. Built 12/1/2011

16. Gloria Ferrer Winery
Award winning Gloria Ferrer Winery is a wonderful
place to share a bottle of wine. Here a piece of art
sure to please your feathered friends. Built from
reclaimed redwood lumber from Sonoma County.
Built
9/27/2011

17. Graton Community Club
Built in 1914 the Graton Community Club has been the site of
many gatherings throughout the years in this small town.
Built 9/24/2011

18. Hoag House
Thought to be the first wood framed building in Santa Rosa and built as
early as 1854 in the Carpenter Gothic style of architecture, with its steeply
pitched roof more commonly used back East with its heavy winter snows
rather than the more temperate Bay Area weather.
Built 12/15/2011

19. Hop Kiln Winery
Built in 1902 on Westside road is the historic Hop Kiln Winery. The
distinctive kiln was originally built by Italian stonemasons to
process the hops that flourished on nearby farms.
Built 12/1/1993

20. Jacuzzi Winery
The Jacuzzi Winery is a beautiful piece of art that not just birds want to
hang out near. Hosting one nesting box for a Finch, and two feeders that
are easily accessed by lifting off the roofs is sure to be a family favorite.
Built 10/18/2011

21. Joseph Hooker House
The General Joseph Hooker House was built in the early 1850's for General
"Fighting Joe" Hooker of Civil War fame in the town of Sonoma. Historical
tidbit, the square nail used as the door knob comes from the oldest
surviving farmhouse in Sonoma County, the Stone Farm house built in 1865
and now houses the offices of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
Built 12/29/2011

22. Kendall-Jackson Winery
This replica of the Kendall-Jackson winery is a beautiful piece of
art which is sure to be the highlight of any wine lovers garden.
Two Bluebird nesting boxes and a feeder that feeds out all three
Tasting room doors is sure to be a hit.
Built 10/3/2011

23. Kenwood Community Church
The wood, hardware and even the nails used to build this birdhouse were
salvaged from what was once the largest pig farm in Sonoma County. Just
off Railroad Avenue south of Cotati, CA. This replica of the 1887 historical
church in Kenwood uses a fantastic piece of wood representing the front of
the building. Reading the history about this building told of being rolled on
logs four blocks by horses to get it out of the mud was an interesting fact.
Built 12/15/1992

24. Kenwood Winery
Built in 1906 by the former Pagani Brothers as a winery.
Today it’s Sonoma County historical landmark #78.If you
visit, notice this birdhouse sitting under the little window
where nesting birds move in each spring.
Built 5/1/1993

25. Kunde Winery
My replica of the Kunde Winery is almost as old as the
original winery itself. Functioning as both a feeder and a
nesting box it’s sure to see visitor’s year around.
Built 7/1/1993

26. KZST Radio Station
KZST radio is one of the most popular stations in Sonoma County.
This Replica building functions as both a feeder and a nesting box.
The nesting box is built for the Bluebird using a 5”x 5”box and should be
hung 4-10 feet above the ground. The feeder feeds around a gallon of seed
right out to the Left. The roof lifts straight off to easily fill the feeder
with seed and clean out the nesting box.
Built 8/20/2011

27. Luther Burbank Home
“I firmly believe, from what I have seen,
that this is the chosen spot of all this earth
as far as Nature is concerned."
Luther Burbank, 1875
Luther Burbank Home and Gardens is a city park containing the former
home, greenhouse, gardens and grave of noted American horticulturist
Luther Burbank (1849-1926).
Built in 1875, Burbank lived at this location form 1884 to 1906.
Built 12/12/2011

28. Ress Pig Farm
This is the story of how my birdhouses came about. One fall day in 1992, I was hiking through the hills of
Sonoma County and while standing beneath a giant grove of redwood trees I was looking up in amazement at just
how magnificent these trees are. I then looked down and spotted an old piece of barn wood. Looking up again
holding this piece of lumber in my hand I realized just how beautiful this wood was. With ideas running through
my head, and a single piece of lumber in the bed of my truck, I headed toward home thinking of different ways I
could use it. I ended up building a box that holds my BBQ tools that’s still in use today.
At Christmas time, I decided I would make gifts to give out of this old barn wood. I needed more wood to
create these gifts, and as fate would have it, my first stop I came across the dilapidated remains of what was once
the largest pig farm in Sonoma County and was welcomed to it. Bingo, all the old redwood barn wood I could use!
For years my creations were built from this one source. Many giant redwood trees were cut down in the early
1900’s, to help turn Sonoma County into the “chicken capital of the world.” I regretted seeing all this old growth
redwood go to waste after the barns collapse, and glad that I was able to create so much art from it.
Creating these one-of-a-kind birdhouses and bird feeders is magical. I love to build whimsical miniatures of
historical buildings that are fully functioning feeders, nesting boxes, or both! I prefer not to mass-produce my
birdhouses in order to keep them unique, and sign and date my creations.
By recycling this old redwood, I’m excited to be preserving a part of Sonoma County history. Built 1992

29. Smother’s Brother’s Tasting Room
In 1985, Tom Smothers built a tasting room in Kenwood on
Highway 12 which now houses six small premium Sonoma
Valley wineries and is called The Wine Room.
Built 7/15/1993

30. Sonoma City Hall
Dedicated in 1908, Sonoma's City Hall built in the center of the Plaza was
originally designed with four identical facades so that merchants from
any side of the square could say the City Hall faced their businesses.
Made of basalt stone from local quarries, the City of Sonoma government
offices still remain in this central landmark of the valley.
Built 12/7/2011

31. Sonoma County Museum
Historically the building built in 1909 is one of the first 12 buildings built by
the federal government in California. Opened as a post office in 1910 and
placed on the National Historic Register in 1979.
Located at 425 7th Street Santa Rosa, CA 95402 and converted to the museum
in 1985 to showcase local art and history.
Historical tidbit: The two square nails used as door knobs
come from the oldest surviving farmhouse in Sonoma County, the Stone
Farm built in 1865 and now function as the offices of the Laguna de Santa
Rosa Foundation.
Built 12/29/2011

32. Stewart’s Point Hotel
Sonoma County Historic Landmark #109 the Stewarts Point Hotel,
School & Store was built in the Greek Revival style and sits at
31000 Highway 1 Stewarts Point, CA.
Built in 1860 over looking the coast of the Pacific ocean. Built
9/27/2011

33. St. Francis Winery
The wood, hardware and even the nails used to build this birdhouse/feeder
were salvaged from what was once the largest pig farm in Sonoma County
located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Old Redwood Hwy., just south
of downtown Cotati. My St Francis Winery has seen its share of workers
stop by looking for work and wine. Modeled after the St Francis building in
Kenwood with styling from buildings in Bodie, once the second largest city
in California, Bodie was the place to go during the gold rush of 1860’s.
Today, Bodie is only a ghost town.
Built 8/15/1993

34. Stone Creek Winery
Located in Kenwood California this tasting room has the
classic look from the area.
Built 9/1/1993

35. Stone Farm House
Built in 1865 and thought to be the oldest surviving farmhouse
in Sonoma County still in its original location.
This replica was built with the lumber that was salvaged from
the inside of the farmhouse itself.
Built 7/18/2010

36. St. Teresa Church
Built in 1859 at 17120 Bodega Highway in the Gothic Revival style the
church is Sonoma County historical landmark #136.
Probably the most famous building ever if birds are mentioned.
Alford Hitchcock made the movie “The Birds” in 1963.
Built 10/18/1993

37. Trentadue Winery
Feed the birds in style with this replica of the beautiful Trentadue winery
located in northern Sonoma County. This feeder is easy to filled just by
removing the roof and filling it up with nearly two gallons of seed.
Built 9/15/2011

38. Union Hotel
Sonoma County Historic Landmark #13 was built in the Greek Revival style.
Built in 1876’s at 3639 Church Street Occidental, CA.
Built as a nesting box and bird feeder. The nesting box uses a 1 1/2”hole and
would be suitable for Bluebirds hung 5-10’ above the ground. The roof lifts
straight off to easily fill the feeder or clean out the nesting box. The reclaimed
redwood and fir lumber was salvaged from a home in downtown Sausalito, CA.
Built 11/28/2011

39. United Methodist Church
This church located in Sebastopol is hard to miss as it sits
high up on the corner of Main street and Healdsburg Avenue.
This replica functions as both a nesting box and a feeder.
Lift the top straight off to fill the feeder and even has a bell
inside the tower that rings.
Built 4/1/1993

40. Washoe House
This is a replica of Sonoma County historical Landmark
number 41, the Washoe House. This Spanish roadhouse built
in 1859 has been one of the areas favorite stops for many
years. With a birdhouse on the left and a feeder that feeds
out the front door on the right will have plenty of visitors.
Built 9/22/2011

41. Watson Dist. School House
This 1856 one room school house still stands near
Freestone CA at 15000 Bodega Highway.
The school house was restored in 2012
Built 11/2/2011

42. White Oak Winery
This replica of the White Oak winery can be used as both a nesting box and
a feeder. Located in the Alexander Valley area of Healdsburg CA at 7505
Hwy. 128 resembles a classic Tuscan style building. The 1” entry hole is
located 6” above the floor in a 4”x 4”box and is built to nest a Bewick’s
Wren. Historical secret, the square nails used as lights come from the
oldest surviving farmhouse in Sonoma County, the Stone Farm built in 1865
and now being used at the offices of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
Built 11/11/2011

43. Wilson Winery
This replica of the Wilson Winery has one Feeder and two
nesting boxes, one on each end. Each nesting box will nest a
Bewick's Wren. Wilson Winery was the overall winner in the
2011 Sonoma County Harvest Festival with their 2009 Zinfandel.
Built 9/26/2011

44. Mount Clair Firehouse
Inspired by the Storybook architecture of the Montclair Firehouse from 1927.
The wood, hardware and even the nails used to build this nesting box were
salvaged from what was once the largest pig farm in Sonoma County, just
south of Cotati, CA. Not just a fancy birdhouse, it’s also a feeder which
dispenses over two peaks of seed straight out the front door. Turn the lights
on via little battery powered candles in the front windows and light the night.
Built 12/24/1993

45. Waioli Huiia Church Kauai
The Wai`oli Hui`ia Church has had a continuous record of service
since 1834, first as a Congregational Church, and since 1957, as a
United Church of Christ.
The birdhouse features a feeder with stained glass, a nesting box in
the bell tower and a roost for the visiting fine feathered friends.
Built 4/1/1995

46. Twin Homes
These twin homes using two different colors of wood were
built with both a nesting box and a feeder in each.
Built 11/16/1994

47. Hamilton Airfield Control Tower
Built around 1944 the Hamilton Air Force Base was a United
States Air Force base located along the western shore of
San Pablo Bay, south of Novato California.
My replica features a nesting box on the left, a roost on the
right, and lift off the tower to fill the feeder.
Built 8/15/1993

48. Tourist Hotel
Built as a replica of the Tourist Hotel located in Dorris CA. A
favorite place to hang while hunting in the area. Built with
two nesting boxes and one feeder make this one busy place.
Built 12/24/1993

49. Denny House
The nesting box is built for a Bluebird, but will also nest the Violet-Green
& Tree Swallow, or a House Sparrow by just dropping a two inch block to lift
the floor. The feeder holds about a half gallon of seed and feeds out the
front door. The white painted redwood tongue and groove siding I just
salvaged from a home on 3rd street in downtown Sausalito.
Built 11/20/2011

50. Paula Pearce Powerhouse
Functioning as a feeder on the left and a nesting box on the right and fills
easily by lifting off the top. 57 signs and objects were built to accessorize it.
Historical secret, the square nails used as door knob came from the oldest
surviving farmhouse in Sonoma County, the Stone Farm built in 1865 and
now being used at the offices of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
Built 12/6/2011

51. Laguna Learning Center
The new learning center for the Laguna de Santa Rosa
Foundation located in Santa Rosa CA.
This replica is built as a feeder for our feathered friends.
Built 7/12/2011

52. NeatTweets General Store
The NeatTweets hosts a nesting box built for Bluebirds and a feeder
that feeds over a gallon of seed right out to the left. The roof lifts
straight off to easily fill the feeder and clean out the nesting box. The
whole thing hangs by one nail for easy mounting.
Built 1/2/2011

53. Old Stone Garage
This Old Stone Garage built in 1909 in downtown Truckee sits on
the site of the first structure built in town back in 1863. Used by
my father back in the late 60’s to house Lucky Lager Beer for the
North Lake Tahoe region.
Built 3/11/2012

54. Truckee Hotel
The Truckee Hotel located on the corner of Donner Pass Road
and Bridge Street is one of the towns most famous landmarks.
Well over a 100 years old the hotel has many stories to tell.
Built 3/20/2012

55. Old Truckee Jail
The Old Truckee Jail was built is 1875 and is one of the
few remaining original buildings built in Truckee. Able
to withstand the many fires that swept through town it
was used continuously from 1875 to 1964.
Built 3/17/2012

56. Truckee Tahoe Mortuary
The Truckee Mortuary was built between 1885-1890 and
originally built as a boarding house.
Built 3/21/2012

57. Alta Hotel
The Alta Hotel is one of the three oldest hotels in Truckee.
It was originally built as a hotel and saloon during a period of
recreational excitement in town during the 1920s.
Built 3/22/2012

58. IL Trovatore Club
Built around 1909, the Sassarini Pool Hall on West River Street
was the site of many gunfights and partying.
Built 3/26/2012

59. Truckee Variety Shoppe
If you grew up in Truckee you have fond
memories of this little Shoppe.
Built 3/26/2012

60. Zirbel’s Gateway Bottle Shop
This Bottle shop was run by my family from the late 60’s to the
early 80’s. The Bottle shop was the place to go for a keg of beer,
the latest news, or a hand full of candy.
Built 3/27/2012

61. Truckee Trainmasters Office
Being a popular destination along the railroad route,
Central Pacific built this Trainmasters office which
doubled as a hotel in this high sierra town.
Built 3/31/2012

62. Gray’s Cabin
This cabin built by Joseph Gray was the first cabin built in the
town of Truckee back in 1858. Built without saws, this 20’x24’ cabin
was built using only axes and sat beside the only road through
town and known as Gray’s Station.
Built 4/1/2012

63. Bickford Ranch
The Bickford Ranch Barn sits along the Little Truckee River
just north of the historic town of Truckee. Located in one of
the most picturesque spots between Truckee and Sierraville it’s
sure to catch your eye.
Built 4/1/2012

64. Truckee NeatTweets
NeatTweets Truckee is a building out of my imagination that
incorporates many special historical artifacts from the
lumber to the door knobs to the windows and overhangs.
Built 4/2/2012

65. Sierra Tavern
It was rumored that Baby Face Nelson lived in the Sierra Tavern
during Prohibition. Truckee was known for it’s whiskey, gin and guns.
The Sierra Tavern was the hub of excitement.
Built 4/5/2012

66. 10046 Spring Street Truckee
This is the building I went to Kindergarten in, later it became
the Parks and Recreation department and currently it’s the
Truckee Community Arts Center.
Built 4/7/2012

67. Southern Pacific Railroad Roundhouse
Truckee was home to this Southern Pacific 22 stall Granite
and Steel Roundhouse. Used as a helper district this
mammoth structure housed locomotives that would help
trains up and over steep Donner Summit in 1882.
Built 6/21/2012

68. Dechambeau Hotel & I.O.O.F. Hall Bodie
The Dechambeau Hotel and I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows)
hall was once a meeting hall, and at some point even a "health club" of
sorts, where members would come to use the barbells and primitive
workout machines as the owner was a wrestler. This building is located at
the south end of Main St in historic downtown Bodie California.
Built 8/16/2012

69. Los Gatos High School
Designed by W. H. Weeks, a famous architect of schools of California.
His Greek Revival style was famous in the 1920s and 1930s.
The main building was dedicated on January 17, 1925.
The Los Gatos High School mascot is the wildcat.
Built 8/20/2012

70. Thunderbird Lodge 1936
The Thunderbird Lodge is one of the last and best examples of a great
residential estate on Lake Tahoe from the period in which prominent San
Francisco society built homes on the lake. The Thunderbird Lodge is an
example of an approach to architectural design that is intended to be in
harmony with its setting. Construction of the Thunderbird Lodge was begun in
1936 by a man named George Whittell, Jr., or as he was more commonly called,
the "Captain".
Built 10/9/2012

71. Topo Gigio Chicago
In Chicago IL. there is a fine Italian Restaurant named Topo Gigio, named
for the character himself. This restaurant has served famous people from
around the world. Topo Gigio was famous for his one line "Kiss me
goodnight". Appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show from 1962 until 1971. In
1965, he appeared in his own movie, The Adventures of Topo Gigio.
Built 10/18/2012

72. 10167 West River Street Truckee, CA
This birdhouse, bird feeder combo was built on 10/31/2012 from lumber
salvaged from the home itself. This long standing Truckee residence is bird
friendly and just a stone’s throw away from the Truckee River in historic
downtown Truckee. Where is the treasure hidden, under the steps of course?
Built 10/31/2012

73. 10175 West River Street Truckee
This birdhouse, bird feeder combo is built from lumber salvaged from
this historic home itself. This long standing Truckee residence is bird
friendly and just a stone’s throw away from the Truckee River in
historic downtown Truckee.
Built 11/3/2012

74. Oil Derrick
Old wooden Oil Derricks once prevalent in and along the shores of
many of our southern California Beaches such as Huntington,
Marina Del Ray and Santa Barbara to name a few.
Built 11/16/2012

75. The Richardson House Truckee CA
Built in the 1880s when Truckee was a wild west railroad town. This
home is situated on High Street and built by a wealthy business man.
Today, the home remains a centrepiece of Truckee’s historical district
as it overlooks the historic downtown & the Truckee River.
Built 11/18/2012

76. That was just the replicas, there’s been many others.

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78. Fountaingrove Round Barn
The Round Barn was built in 1899 and is the landmark for the
Fountaingrove Ranch. The Round Barn is actually a 16 sided
building approximately 70 feet in diameter and almost 60 feet
high that originally housed the horses used in the vineyards.
Built 11/1/1993

79. The End
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