Description
These right-of-way appraisal files were developed by the California Highway Commission (CalTrans) to document the right-of-way
access needed to build Highway 101 through Sonoma County. Also included are some files for Highways 12, 116 and 1. Dates range
from 1940s to 1970s. These files document an important milestone in the history of Sonoma County, the creation of Highway
101, which transects the county south to north. The files include appraisals, photographs of properties, comparable property
reports, economic and development appraisals, correspondence, reports, and detailed maps. The photographs provide valuable
historic detail of architectural styles, automobiles, gardens, and scenes of parts of Sonoma County prior to development.
The appraisal notes and reports are rich with detail and commentary on economic conditions, development plans, the impact
of historic events, and the diverse inhabitants of these properties.