A short distance downstream from this spot, at the head of navigation on the banks of Sonoma Creek, an early landing place was established. From the 1830s, hides and tallow from the Pueblo of Sonoma were shipped to Yerba Buena, and goods and people arrived here. By 1847, a town optimistically named St. Louis had sprung up, and steamers from San Francisco were making regularly scheduled trips. From here, stage service carried travelers to Sonoma, Bodega, and points between. St. Louis served as the port for southeastern Sonoma County until silting of the creek and the coming of the railroad to nearby Schellville ended shipping business on Sonoma Creek.