The street names of our Mexican era (except for “Calle Napa”) were not those we see today. Broadway was “La Calle Grande.” Spain Street was “Calle Vallejo,” because Vallejo’s home was on it. Calle Napa was named because it was part of the wagon trail to Napa.

The early city fathers named streets running east/west after countries. For example, the most northern street in the City of Sonoma is named “Brazil” and runs from the end of Fourth Street East to Gehricke Road. The next street south (formerly Calle Vallejo) is Spain Street. Running parallel to Spain Street on the south side of the Plaza, Calle Napa, was renamed “United States Street,” but later changed back to Napa Street. Further south are France and Denmark Streets. MacArthur Street was originally Germany Street, but Germany was our enemy in two wars, so in the early 1940s, it was renamed in honor of General Douglas MacArthur.