Forestville’s History

Forestville has a fascinating history. General Vallejo sent his son-in-law, J.B.R. Cooper to settle the area and serve as a buffer against the Russians, who had settle Fort Ross.

In 1883, Captain Cooper received a Spanish land grant and built California’s first commercial power saw mill in Forestville. El Molino, the name of the High School and several area businesses, is Spanish for “the mill.”

Though the town was later named for a Mr. Forrester, its wooded surroundings make the name quite appropriate.