The Grange was founded as a National organization in 1867 in Washington, D.C., with the purpose of supporting farmers and farm communities, following the Civil War. Local chapters spread quickly across the United States, and the first chapter of the California State Grange was established in the town of Napa in 1873. Being a Fraternal organization, in the early days, rituals and secret passwords were very popular! But not so today, and since its inception, the Grange has been a progressive organization, and equality has been a cornerstone. The Grange was the first major national organization in the U.S. to grant women full membership and voting rights on equal footing with men, more than 50 years before the 19th Amendment. And as an organization founded on grassroots advocacy, the National Grange has been successful in lobbying the Federal Government for the various needs of farmers and those in rural areas. In the late 1800s, they were instrumental in establishing the first insurance coverage for farmers, and in 1900, they were responsible for the start of rural free mail delivery.
Fast forward to February of 1952, when a group of commercial fishermen and local townspeople decided to establish a Grange Hall in the small coastal village of Bodega Bay, in beautiful Sonoma County. Because Granges were generally associated with farming and agriculture, the fishermen were initially skeptical about the advantages of joining the organization. The leadership from other Granges in the County tried to convince them that appealing to the National Grange for membership as “fishermen of the sea” would provide many benefits. It would grant fishermen the legal right to negotiate fair prices for their catch with powerful processors and dealers. They would have a political voice to lobby for industry needs, such as investigating price-fixing, and regulating port conditions. And most importantly, the Grange would become a central hub for community members, in providing services and support for one another, as well as a social center. Personal invitations to attend a Grange meeting were sent to every post office box, and on February 21, 1952, after refreshments were served to all in attendance, the 19th county chapter was formed in the hamlet of Bodega Bay.
Today, commercial fishing continues to be an important part of our community, and we recognize the tremendous effort and risk undertaken by these brave men and women, to bring fresh seafood to our tables. The Grange continues to be a community service organization, in keeping with the purpose and traditions established by our founders, and we serve the Bodega Bay community in many ways. We are the primary Red Cross emergency shelter on the Sonoma Coast, and our certified commercial kitchen is capable of preparing hot meals for those seeking refuge in emergency situations, such as wildfires or earthquakes. We provide scholarships to local high school graduates. We host a variety of special events such as the renowned annual Crab Cioppino feast, as well as town hall meetings, CERT emergency response training, Jiu-Jitsu and Tai Chi classes, church services, table tennis, and a seasonal flea market. We sponsor the Bodega Bay Coastal Garden Group, and in partnership with local nonprofits, we are proud to be home to the semi-monthly Waves of Compassion Food Pantry, and the annual Hitchcock Film Festival. The Grange Hall also serves as an affordable option which is available to rent for catered functions, family reunions, meetings, workshops, etc.
We continue to dedicate our efforts to being responsible stewards of our coastal region, and promoting a strong and vibrant community through our volunteer work.
Thank you for your interest in our story!
More interesting stories:
Formation of the Bodega Bay Grange (from the “Howdy Neighbor” Newsletter)
How Sonoma County’s Historic Granges Came to Be (Press Democrat article, June 2, 2016)
A Brief History of the Fishing Industry in Bodega Bay (courtesy of Rancho Bodega Historical Society)