California's Gold Rush of 1849 and San Francisco's earthquake of 1906 spurred expansion, rebuilding, and extensive timber processing in California. Sturgeons Mill is an example of 1800s steam-powered technology that provided lumber for early California's economy. In 1913 Wade Sturgeon purchased sawmill equipment dating from the 19th century and set up a sawmill in Coleman Valley. In 1923 Wade and his partners, John Gonnella and Joe Donati, along with Wade's sons Ralph and Merl, moved the mill to this location. In 1943 Ralph Sonoma Sturgeon and his longtime friend James Eijner Henningsen purchased the mill and operated it until 1963.