A Video Presentation on the Historical Prequel to the Lafferty Ranch Battle
For nearly the past 200 years, since European contact, neighbors on Sonoma Mountain have battled each other in the courts over legal challenges to deeds, property boundaries, water rights, livestock, and trespassing. Occasionally, those quarrels battles have lead to physical threats and altercations.
No feud has been as long standing as the one being still be waged over public access to Lafferty Ranch, which has been owned by the City of Petaluma since 1959 as part of the city’s water works. In 1992, the the city announced plans make Lafferty into a public park, kicking off the series of lawsuits filed by neighbors over the past three decades.
While feuds may appear to come with the territory, it wasn’t always like that. It arrived with the European and American settlers, and their self-centered entitlement of “I have rights.”
Great information. I really enjoyed this. I’ve been researching Marshall Lafferty, my 3X G-Grandfather, and his family for more than twenty years. It’s interesting to see him in context with what was happening around him. Thank you.
I’m glad you found it helpful. Good luck with your research.
Anne, please let me know if you come across any photos of Marshall Lafferty. And whether you can identify the photo on my blog story as that of Jerry or Isaac Lafferty. Thanks!