Once known as “Daywalt” aka stop #12.1, for the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad, this recently renovated 2.49-acre property carries the memories of Sonoma County’s railroad history as it still houses the historical station. While maintaining the rustic farmhouse feels, this home has been enhanced with many modern updates; you can say this property hit all the stops. Features updated kitchen with butcher block countertops and shelving, stainless steel appliances, and the nostalgic farmhouse sink. Updated full guest bath and half bath ensuite with additional mudroom and shower, could be great for a dog wash station. Currently, this home lives as a 3 bedroom however, equipped with 4-bedroom septic, this property has great potential if you want to investigate the options to build an additional guest unit. Enjoy the rolling pastures, many useful outbuildings, and plenty of room for RV/ Boats, horses, chickens, goats, sheep, and your Farm Equipment. Reap the advantages from the fully paid solar and abundant well. This property is perfect for those looking to homestead, with a root cellar and all. Also featuring two parcels of which .55 of an acre is zoned AR. After 3 generations have enjoyed this lovely home, this is your opportunity to call Daywalt Station your very own. Own Your Dreams!
Train History
Hessel was once the home of a station stop on the P&SR named "Daywalt". The building barely visible among the overgrowth was the station itself; at the time of use, it had glass sides and a wooden sign, which has since deteriorated. Photo by Andrew Laverdiere, 10/19/2008
The Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad was incorporated in 1903 to establish interurban and freight service between its namesake towns. The track was laid in 1904 and service started soon after. In 1928, the P&SR was purchased by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, with the cessation of trolley service coming in 1933. The line was abandoned in 1984, with only remnants preserved in Petaluma to serve local industries.
An interesting story that involves the P&SR was a mild battle between it and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1905 involving a grade crossing in Santa Rosa. The NWP had already established service between Petaluma and Santa Rosa, so when the P&SR tried to establish service between the same two cities, the NWP protested by preventing the P&SR from crossing their line in Santa Rosa. When the P&SR attempted to install the crossing in a "sneak attack", the NWP was already prepared with awaiting steam locomotives ready to blast boiling hot water on any trespassers. At one time during the battle, the P&SR actually laid their tracks over those of the NWP, a solution that didn't last long. And for a time, when an eastbound P&SR trolley would reach the crossing, the passengers were required to disembark and board another trolley on the other side of the crossing to continue eastbound, and vice-versa. A court ruling finally allowed the P&SR to install their crossing, putting an end to the 3-month conflict.
Abandoned Rails
A Moment in Train History - Petaluma & Santa Rosa Train
