The Downtown Parks of Sonora
The Courthouse Square in 1940. Note how small the trees are then compared to now. Photo courtesy of the Tuolumne County Museum.
By Jerome Peterson
There are two cozy parks located in downtown Sonora. They are the Courthouse Square and Coffill Park. Both of these commons can certainly handle the hubbub of tourist season as well as the lazy homespun feel of locals; therapeutic vibrations linger in both “get-a-ways” providing an upbeat hangout.
Currently, the Historical Sonora Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring free summer Concerts in the Park on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courthouse Square. For you new arrivals to the Mother Lode area, the Courthouse Square is outlined by the following streets: Washington, West Jackson, North Green, and Yaney. The comfy park faces Washington Street like a stage. All performances seem to bounce and ricochet off neighboring buildings including the Veterans Memorial Military Museum. The sounds are uplifting until a growling logging truck drowns them out as it lumbers past. On a more positive note, the Courthouse Square certainly has its share of trees. These fortunate ones include tall pines and hearty sycamores that personify the Sierra foothills theme. A flagpole stands amongst this aged timber, patiently waiting for a flag to fly. Furthermore, the park is crossed from corner to corner by a tailored concrete sidewalk bordered with chest to waist high shrubbery. In the center of the X is a large planter circle designed for flowers with a metal inscription inserted in the ground that reads: “Victory over Violence – One of the greatest crimes of all is to stand silent in the face of wrongdoing.” –Santayana.
Facing Yaney Street is a memorial explaining the birth of the park. It stands as proudly and sturdily as the brick material it was made out of. It reads: “In honor of Frank J. Ralph, loyal son of old Tuolumne, faithful public servant and ardent lover of nature who designed and created this restful spot known as ‘The Courthouse Square’ for the pleasure and enjoyment of future generations. Dedicated by the County of Tuolumne as a loving memorial to a worthy son. 1943 – L.A. Nesler.” Along with this honorable memorial, the pensive plaque, the X’d sidewalk, and the pine and sycamore trees, the Courthouse Square definitely has an open-air, Sonoran atmosphere like no other, and is worthy of your visits whether for an event or reflective moments.
On Washington Street, a few blocks south of the Courthouse Square, is Coffill Park. The park can be entered from Washington Street where one can descend two flights of concrete steps or off of North Green Street, which divides the commons from the Sonora Police Station. As you enter, a variety of lush green trees, bushes and plants welcome you. The most awesome of all the eclectic foliage is a mammoth wisteria vine that has twisted itself throughout an overhead lattice. This lattice roofs a far corner of the park next to the creek and Washington Street. Replacing grass underfoot are large squared off sections of speckled concrete. Three Victorian lamppost poles are wrapped in similar material as well, yet their light gives off a soft, almost romantic ambiance. Several hefty wooden benches, donated by The Soroptimist Club of Sonora, dot the oasis along with two picnic tables made in the same lumberjack fashion. Then in what seems to be the hub of the park, is a work of stone that looks like it “was” a restroom facility. The structure is complete with a stone base planter for flowers and two drinking fountains – one for adults and the other for children. Flowing between Coffill Park and a neighboring restaurant is Sonora Creek. This creek branches off Woods Creek just north of the fairgrounds area and eventually fizzles out a couple of miles northeast of Sonora. The gentle gurgle of the creek and the rest of the tranquil surroundings of Coffill Park definitely present a private hanging garden effect.
The Coffill Park area in 1910. Pictured is a firehouse and an auto repair garage next to it. Sonora Creek gurgles underneath buildings as workmen trim trees. Photo courtesy of the Tuolumne County Museum.
In 1975, William Coffill and his wife, Marjorie Segerstrom Coffill, gave the city of Sonora the land for what became Coffill Park. On September 20th of that same year the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce dedicated the park. It was Sonora’s first formal city plan, which gave rise to the Coffill’s donation of the parkland. Mr. Coffill was city attorney of Sonora from 1952 to 1975 and manager of the Riverbank Water Company from 1948 to 1968.
“He was a very active, ethical man with a dry sense of humor,” said Tuolumne County Superior Court Judge James Hardin, Coffill’s longtime friend, fellow attorney and neighbor. This information was obtained from a Modesto Bee article in the obituary section dated May 16, 1989.
A couple of weeks ago, during the weekend of August 8th, Sonora’s “Magic in the Night” rocked the foundations of both parks as well as the corners and narrow side streets of downtown. Coffill Park had the magical experience of hosting The Blues Box Bayou Band. The band injected its robust, joyful mojo into the immediate surroundings. I think the ground received the largest dosage because the yahoo sounds moved people to crowd in front of the band and shake their booties under the dim nightlight. These positive vibes gave added support to the already tranquil surroundings that is ready and willing to give its therapy to the gloomy, lonely sorts that need a boost now and then when the music is over and shadows are “it” for company.
The Courthouse Square and Coffill Park are great places to be if you want to soak up the aesthetic surroundings of downtown Sonora. Concerts, events, and community gatherings take place at both parks on a regular basis providing cultural nurturing with a foothills twist. Perhaps the generous spirits of Frank J. Ralph and Mr. and Mrs. Coffill had this in mind when they decided to donate both areas we enjoy today. You can show your appreciation by thanking them at their respective memorials the next time you visit the downtown parks of Sonora.
