The Freestone Store, built in 1872 as I.T. Ward’s General Merchandise, is a two-story commercial building located along the Bohemian Highway in the rural community of Freestone, Sonoma County, California. The North Pacific Coast Railroad, which ran in Freestone from 1876-1930, was paramount to Freestone’s growth as a transportation hub for goods and people traveling north. The area in and around Freestone was not only historically agricultural, but also recreational, with San Franciscans visiting the area starting in the late 1800s and early 1900s as an escape from city life. This trend continued with the “hippie movement” in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, the area still has an agricultural economy and also has a healthy tourist population year-round because of its scenic vistas and outdoor recreation. 

The Freestone Store has served as a general store for 150 years, as well as a beauty shop, barber, art gallery, dance hall, apartment rental (on upper floor and in rear of building), and as a community gathering space. Despite alterations to the building in the 1970s, the Freestone Store retains overall integrity of design, feeling, and association, and remains a significant historic landmark in the Freestone community.

RPW drafted the National Register of Historic Places nomination to recognize the historic significance and ensure the feasibility of Federal and State Historic Tax Credits. The owners plan to rehabilitate the building, including the

• Restoration of floors and redwood ceiling and wall boards,

• Restoration of windows and doors,

• Installation of new HVAC and electrical systems, and

• Modernization of apartments and commercial space.

The building will continue its generational role as a general store in its primary commercial space, with an addition of a deli to serve visitors and the community, and as residential apartments behind and above the store.