Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California. As of July 1, 2005, the population was approximately 156,200 residents. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's world famous Wine Country and fifth largest in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Notable natives and residents

Luther Burbank

Santa Rosa is famous as the home of the horticulturalist, Luther Burbank, who said of Sonoma County, "I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this earth as far as Nature is concerned." Burbank lived in Santa Rosa for more than 50 years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, working to develop new strains of plants and towards improving the world's food supply. During that time, he introduced more than 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, grains, and ornamental flowers, most notably the Burbank Russet Potato, the Shasta Daisy, and the Santa Rosa Plum. The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in downtown Santa Rosa has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Related Topics:
Luther Burbank - Burbank Russet Potato - Shasta Daisy - Santa Rosa Plum - Luther Burbank Home and Gardens - National Historic Landmark

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Robert Ripley

Santa Rosa is the birthplace of Robert Ripley, creator of Ripley's Believe It or Not!. The "Church of the One Tree", a church built entirely from the wood of a single redwood tree, and popularized by Ripley, stands on the north side of Juilliard Park in downtown Santa Rosa, across from the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.

Related Topics:
Robert Ripley - Ripley's Believe It or Not!

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Charles M. Schulz

For 50 years, Santa Rosa and Sonoma County was home to Charles M. Schulz, the world-famous cartoonist and creator of the beloved comic strip Peanuts. The Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa celebrates his life's work and the art of cartooning. A bronze statue of Charlie Brown and Snoopy stands in Depot Park at the northwest corner of 4th and Wilson Streets in downtown Santa Rosa's Railroad Square District. In 2000, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors rechristened the "Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport" in his honor. The airport's amusing logo features Snoopy with goggles and scarf, taking to the skies on top of his red doghouse.

Related Topics:
Sonoma County - Charles M. Schulz - Peanuts - Charles M. Schulz Museum - Cartoon - Charlie Brown - Snoopy - Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

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William Mark Felt

Since 1993, Santa Rosa has been the home of William Mark Felt, who revealed in 2005 that he had been the Washington Post's Watergate source known to the public only as "Deep Throat".

Related Topics:
1993 - William Mark Felt - Washington Post - Watergate - Deep Throat

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Tom Waits

Santa Rosa (and Sebastopol, CA) is the home of noted musician and actor Tom Waits. Known for his thick, raspy voice, and songs that vary from love ballad to freakish storyline, he has been a cult music icon for decades. It is not uncommon for locals to see him browsing the racks of The Last Record Store or at Copperfield's Books.

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Levi Leipheimer

Professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer calls Santa Rosa his home when not racing in Europe. He was a member of the United States Postal Service cycling team that saw Lance Armstrong win the Tour de France. While a domestique with the Postal Service team, he has moved up to team leader with the Gerolsteiner team. He is always competitive with a win in the Tour of Germany, top five finishes in the Tour de France and top five performances in the Vuelta de Espana as well as a podium finish in the Dauphine Libere. He still resides in Santa Rosa as well as participates competitively in the UCI Pro Tour which includes the Tour, Giro, and Vuelta.

Related Topics:
Europe - United States Postal Service - Cycling - Lance Armstrong - Tour de France - Vuelta de Espana - Dauphine Libere

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