Site information:

6050 Westside Rd, Healdsburg

38.536332,-122.867746

Plaque information:

State plaque

Plaque is located on private grounds, may be restricted to operating hours.

Plaque text:

Walters Ranch Hop Kiln

This structure served the important hop industry of California's north coast region, once the major hop-growing area in the west. Built in 1905 by a crew of Italian stonemasons, it represents the finest existing example of its type. Consisting of three stone kilns for drying hops, a wooden cooler, and a two-stroy press for baling hops for shipment.

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Griffin Vineyard, May 1, 1977.

OHP description:

This is the most significant surviving example of a stone hop kiln in the North Coast region. Built by Angelo 'Skinny' Sodini in 1905, it served the Russian River Valley and North Coast regions, once the major hop-growing areas in the West. In the latter part of the 19th century, Sol Walters purchased 380 acres, part of the Sotoyome Rancho patented in 1853, from Josefa Fitch.

Registered 2/20/1976