Healdsburg History
The Healdsburg area, where the house is located, was originally a land grant of 11 leagues(49,000 acres) received by Henry Delano Fitch from the Mexican government. Fitch sent Cyrus Alexander to the area to find a suitable location for a cattle ranch, which he found, developed and managed for four years. Harmon Heald, who originally came to California to mine for gold, opened a small store near the Plaza in 1851. He prospered by selling goods to ranchers like the Alexanders, then bought and subdivided the land which became Healdsburg in March, 1857. Lots were sold for $15 each, (a bit more expensive today !).
Rolling, tree covered hills surround the three valleys that radiate out from Healdsburg. Hills on the West protect the area from coastal cold and fog while hills on the East shelter us from the heat extremes of the Central Valley - a wonderful climate most of the time!
