The keys to Fort Ross, returned after 140 years!

By John C. Benitz to Ranger Heidi Horvitz

Presentation Notes

July 2005

My mother Aphra Peard Benitz, wife of John Benitz, grandson of William Benitz passed the keys to the Russian Church & the Main Gate of Fort Ross on to me John Corban Benitz, great grandson of William.

When William Benitz left California with his family in 1875 and built his ranch (estancia) - "La California" - he brought with him all his possessions.  He died in 1876 leaving his wife Josephine with his sons and daughter. Josephine died in 1912 in the hills of Cordoba at her residence "Villa Josephina".  Her son John (1865 - 1916) took over the property which my father John (1901 - 1975) inherited.  They were in his possession before being passed on to me.

Sept 12 / 05

Dear Heidi,

            Over a month now since the Benitz clan descended on Fort Ross.  We have so many memories of the wonderful reception you all gave us.  Now for a correction.

            On going over some of my mother’s notes the details of the keys are as follows:

1. The Russian Church key - correct

2. The other key which was tagged the main gate should have been tagged to the “House” – presumably the Benitz house.

(see notes in my mother’s handwriting)

            Hoping all is well with you

I have the original key to the Russian Church (Fort Ross) and also key to house in Fort.

I have all Lithographs of Benitz family.

These details I wrote about Fort Ross I got from my mother-in-law (Marjory Benitz) who in turn had them from her mother-in-law Mrs. William Benitz née Josephine Kolmer.

William Benitz's Brand - 1850 to 1867

Lynn & Jerry Rudy's gift to the Benitz Family

Card Accompanying Brand

12 July 2005

This replica of William O. Benitz’s cattle brand was made by our local blacksmith, Jim Joyce - and it works!

Information on the brand and Benitz’s purchase of it from his partner E. Rufus (from the Book of Brands, Sonoma County Recorder) is enclosed.

Now you will have to decide who gets it!

Thanks for being such a big part of our history.

Lynn & Jerry Rudy

Benitz-2005 T-shirt Logo

Worn at Fort Ross - July '05

Benitz-2005 Wine Label

Drunk at Fort Ross - July '05

Russian-American Co. Flag

Flew over Fort Ross,1812-1840

Fort Ross - Benitz boundaries

Fort Ross - 2002

Eucalyptus at NW corner of fort

not present during Benitz era.

Fort Ross - 2002

Fort Ross - Benitz era

From photos, c. 1866

Russian Cemetery

Fort Ross - from above

Russian Village - Sloboda

Today between FR & large trees

East wall & Kuskov House

East wall & Kuskov House

South from NE Blockhouse

Well & Kuskov House

Kuskov House & Chapel

Kuskov House & Chapel

Chapel

SE corner of quad.

SW Bastion & Officers Quarters

West wall & Pacific

Officers Qtrs. & Rotchev House

Officers Qtrs & Rotchev House

Benitz 2-storey addition was to

Rotchev House

( & Benitz home! )

NW corner of quad.

Restored to the original Russian

minus the Benitz roof, additions, & porch.

Rotchev House

Rotchev House

NE Bastion

On approach from visitor center.

South sandy beach

Fort Ross Cove

South sandy beach

Fort Ross Cove

Coast from above

North Point

Pacific Coastline

Gleason Beach

Coast north of Timber Cove Inn

Timber Cove

Route-1 & Meyers Grade Road

Looking east into the coastal range,

Patagonians on Route-1

Southern coast of original Fort Ross

( Gavin & Christine )

Route-1 & Russian River bay

Southern Coastline

Of the original Fort Ross

Meyers Grade Road

Meyers Grade Road

Fort Ross coast

In the days of our ancestors, the steep coast isolated Fort Ross.

Virginian Tourists

Corina, Cynthia, (Tara?), Aphra,

Mouth of the Russian River

Goat Rock Beach

Mouth of the Russian River & Goat Rock Beach

Mouth of the Russian River

Goat Rock Beach

Russian River Mouth

( looking north into

Virginian Natives

Arched Rock Island

Sonoma Coast

Gleason Beach