History of Sanel - Hopland - Old Hopland
Brief History of Sanel - Hopland - Old Hopland
By Manuel J. Martinez
March 19, 2002
When I first moved to Mendocino County in 1982
I only knew Hopland as just that, the town of Hopland. Upon moving my residence
and business to Hopland, I have learned much about its original name and location(s).
Established in 1859, Hopland was located on the
west side of the Russian River (Hopland's current location). Its
original name was 'Sanel' derived from 'Sanelanos'.
The Spaniards used this term to refer to the southern band of Pomo Native
Americans, located from Cloverdale through the Sanel Valley. Sanelanos most
likely became Sanel
after Fernando Feliz, John Knight and Elijah Dooley settled
in Sanel Valley and named the town in English 'Sanel'.
In 1874 a toll road from Cloverdale to Ukiah was completed. The majority
of the town (which town, Cloverdale or Ukiah?) moved and established Hopland.
Thus, Sanel and Hopland existed simultaneously
until the railroad and train depot
were built on the west side of the Russian River in 1887.
Eastside Hopland moved back to Sanel due to the new train depot in 1887.
Sanel lost its name to Hopland,
and Eastside Hopland
became known as 'Old Hopland'.