40 years after 'Running Fence,' a look back at the tiny hamlet of Valley Ford

Small towns don't get much smaller than the tiny hamlet of Valley Ford. With an estimated population of only 167, the unincorporated community and census designated place is a quaint destination for travelers looking for a bite to eat on their way to the coast.

Nestled firmly in the heart of Sonoma County's dairy belt, families have been ranching in the area since the late 1800s. The Spolini family had a ranch in Valley Ford in 1900, and many families still raise cattle on the land.

Tourist destinations include the Valley Ford Hotel. Built in 1864, the establishment continues to rent rooms and also houses the popular Rocker Oysterfeller's restaurant.

The competing Depot Hotel, built in 1908 by the Barboni family of Occidental, provided rooms and meals to railroad passengers at the turn of the century. Today it houses one of Sonoma County's longest-running restaurants, Dinucci's Italian Dinners, established in 1939, by Henry and Mabel Dinucci.

The town enjoyed a bit of fame in September 1976 when fabric artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude ran their 24.5-mile Running Fence straight through the town of Valley Ford into the sea.

The 'ribbon of light' included some 2,152,780 square feet of white nylon fabric hung from steel cord attached to 2,050 steel poles.

The Running Fence required of 42 months of collaboration, 59 ranchers' participation, 18 public hearings, three sessions at the Superior Courts of California, the drafting of a 450 page Environmental Impact Report and the temporary use of the hills and the ocean. It crossed over 14 roads, leaving room for cars, cattle and wildlife on its journey from Cotati to the sea.

Completed on Sept. 10, 1976, the Running Fence was removed 14 days later, leaving few visible reminders. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the historic art project. Sonoma County Historic Landmark No. 24, a bronze plaque at 14459 Valley Ford Road, commemorates the fabric art piece.