Santa Rosa’s History and Why We’re Proud to Serve the Santa Rosa Community
Before European contact, the Pomo, Miwok and Wappo peoples lived in the Santa Rosa Plain. Mexican land grantee María Ignacia López de Carrillo received Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa and built an adobe home here in 1837. Fr. Juan Amorosa named the area Santa Rosa after baptizing a native woman on the feast day of Santa Rosa.
After the Gold Rush, entrepreneurs Hoen, Hahman and Hartman plotted the town and sold lots; they successfully lobbied to move the Sonoma County seat from Sonoma to Santa Rosa in 1854. The town incorporated in 1868, and the arrival of the railroad in 1870 spurred growth.
Santa Rosa was almost entirely destroyed by the 1906 earthquake; roughly 90 people died, and nearly every brick or stone building—including the courthouse and hotels—collapsed. Residents rebuilt, and the city continued to grow.
Today Santa Rosa is the business and retail hub of Sonoma County. It has a history of innovation thanks to horticulturalist Luther Burbank and is home to companies like Agilent Technologies and Amy’s Kitchen. Surrounded by vineyards and parks, Santa Rosa offers a high quality of life. Fast Plumbing & Drain is honored to support this resilient community.