Category Archives: History

Day of the Dead Historic Cemetery Walking Tour Frighteningly Successful

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Filed under Events, Hiking, History, Mountain Cemetery

Greeted by an array of fall treats, fifty curious Sonomans were then led by Fred Allebach through the Mountain Cemetery yesterday, the amateur historian sharing stories and lively lore “dug up” throughout the years.  As in years past, the fundraiser was sold out, 100% of the funds raised going directly towards improvements on the Overlook Trail. Join us next year!

Fred Allebach explaining locations of graves
Overlook Stewards: Priscilla Miles, Jess, Fred Allebach, Hope Nissan, Nancy Kirwin
SOT Chair and Hope Nissan, SOT Outreach Committee

Dia de los Muertos • Day of the Dead Cemetery Tour

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Filed under Events, Fall, Fundraising, History, Mountain Cemetery, Stewardship

Tour Sonoma History through Mountain Cemetery

Saturday November 4th, 2023
10 am OR 12:30pm
$40 Suggested Donation
REGISTER

The Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards invite you to take a lively, informative walk through our historic cemetery with our own amateur historian Fred Allebach.

Meet ranchers and ranch hands, real estate tycoons, farmers and farriers, carpenters and stone masons, quarry-men, grocers, butchers, bakers, maybe a candlestick maker, and many more! This fundraising event is limited to 25 participants per hike. We sell out every year, so register early to be sure you get a spot!

We’ll have a hike at 10am and another at 12:30. Your $40 donation includes the walking tour, cookies and cider. All proceeds go toward improvements on the Overlook Trail. The Trail is solely supported by private donations.

Celebrate 20 years of Sonoma Overlook Trail • Save the Date: April 16, 2023

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Filed under Events, History

Please join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, April 16, 2023 • 11 am to 1 pm.


Meet us at the main trailhead to celebrate and…

  • Learn how what once was a city dump was transformed into the beautiful Overlook Trail that now receives over 55,000 visitors a year from all over the world!
  • Hear from trail stewards as well as city and state dignitaries including Senator Bill Dodd, Supervisor Susan Gorin, Sonoma Mayor Sandra Lowe and other honored guests.
  • Enjoy refreshments and meet new hiking friends.
  • Peruse our new book, “The View from Above”, compiled from 20 years of excerpts from our Hiker’s Notebooks.
  • Come along with us on a wildflower hike. The flora and fauna should be spectacular in April!

Day of the Dead Cemetery Walk

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Filed under History, Mountain Cemetery

Today local historian and Sonoma Overlook Trail Steward, Fred Allebach, led local Sonomans through the Mountain Cemetery on a “Day of the Dead” Walk. He shared fascinating stories and lively lore that he “dug up” through the years. There were homemade cookies and freshly made Sonoma cider to fuel the walkers. Proceeds from the event (over $1,750) go towards improvements on the Overlook Trailead and the Kiosk. The trail is solely supportd by private donations.

Fred Allebach telling a “Grateful Dead Story”

Pictured: Day of the Dead tribute in cemetery, Lynn with her handmade Day of the Dead tablecloth, homemade cookies and cider, Lynn, Hope and Jess greeting walkers, natural heart in cemetery, Overlook Trail Steward volunteers including Lynn Martin, Hope Nisson, Nancy Kirwan, Jeni Nichols and Connie Bolduc (not pictured) were planners, bakers, greeters and trail lovers.

Dia de los Muertos ~ Day of the Dead

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Filed under Events, Fall, Hiking, History, Mountain Cemetery

Walk Sonoma History through Sonoma Mountain Cemetery

Saturday, October 30
Times: 10:00 OR 12:30
Suggested Donation: $35.00

dayofdeadTHIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!
Please join us next year….
The Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards are thrilled to invite you once again to a lively, informative tour through our historic cemetery with our own amateur historian Fred Allebach!

Each year (except 2020) Fred has led this walking tour where we meet cowboys and Indians, ranchers and real estate tycoons, farmers and farriers, carpenters and stone masons, quarry-men, grocers, butchers, bakers, maybe a candlestick maker, and many more!

Fred will host 2 walking tours, one at 10:00am and another at 12:30. Both will be limited to 25 guests. We will be observing current Covid-19 protocols so please bring your mask.