Cloverdale Historical Society and Museum, Sonoma County, California.

Preston, Sonoma County, California

One of the most notable towns in Sonoma County history is Preston.

Situated just a mile or so north of Cloverdale, California and off of Geysers Road, Preston was the gateway to yesterday's historical Geysers. Known for it's quality mineral water, which Madam Preston used in her treatment of many patients who came to her infirmaries.

"1875-1909. Not "utopia" in the strict academic sociological sense, Preston, located on Oak Mountain north of Cloverdale, was a community gathered around faith healer Madame Emily Preston, who supposedly could see through people with her "X-ray eye." She also dispensed numerous patent -medicines, most of which were based on high alcohol content. Local attempts by doctors to have her prosecuted for illegally selling medicine failed. She was stopped, however, by passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act. Preston broke up after her death in 1909." Taken from the Sonoma County Independent

Trek into the past with me as I share with you images of today... of objects that represent some of Sonoma Counties rich and varied past. And before you go, be sure to read the bottom of this page in case you can help to save this beautiful history. Here is more of Preston history as told by Steve Bjerklie of the Sonoma County Independent: "And finally, Preston. Professor Hine doesn't count it as an actual utopia, for the community northeast of Cloverdale was mostly a colony of invalids gathered around the charismatic presence of Madame Emily Preston, a faith healer and dispenser of patent medicines who could give Elizabeth Clare Prophet a run for her money. While some of her beliefs were fairly straightforward--"All can go to heaven if their hearts are right," reads part of Madame's creed that was written on the walls of Preston's own church--others were a bit odd. "We believe in inspiration and that it lets us read out of the book of life that is printed in the air everywhere," states another part of the same creed.

Her place of worship was called the Church of Heaven on Probation. Varene Anderson, who studied Madame's teachings as part of her Sonoma State master's thesis, says Madame's sermons, of which Varene has copies, "are pretty boring." On the other hand, some of Madame's followers believed she had an X-ray eye that could see through the human body.No one really knew where she came from. Col. Hartwell Preston, who seems to have earned his rank in the Confederate Army, was her third husband. She had children by other men; she barely spoke of the men or the children. The key and most functional ingredient in her patent medicines, which contained a veritable goulash of herbs and spices, was alcohol.Local medical doctors were infuriated by Madame's "healings." But an attempt to have her prosecuted for selling medicine without a license failed, though the advice of Sonoma County physicians to their patients not to use Madame's concoctions surely must've had a financial impact. What finally did her in, more or less, was passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, which stopped her--and thousands of other purveyors of patent medicines--from commercially selling homemade drugs.Madame died, still quite wealthy, in 1909.
See also: Abstract of the Preston Colony Ranch Cemetery.The community's property has suffered its share of calamities since, including a disastrous wildfire in 1988 that burned the once-elegant Preston mansion to the ground. The Church of Heaven on Probation still stands, however, as does a graceful, adjacent clock tower that still works--and still tolls."


Left to Right: The Church of Heaven on Probation Church, showing the clock and bell tower. Middle: Part of the old wood shed and rooms where the pastor lived adjacent to the church. A view of a unique feature of this church. This church is based on New England architecture, but is the only church in the west that has a chimney. Also, one can see that time is taking it's toll. The chimney is separating from the building.

Madam Emily Preston and her community

The reason the Preston community was such a success can be found in the fact that Madam Preston was an immaculate housekeeper and this quality extended over all aspects of the community. She had a complete system that saw to the wants and needs of the individual, their physical as well as spiritual guidance, work and wages, entertainment, housing, etc. Madam Preston was the soul of pragmatism, she led by example and was highly respected. Her reputation as a skilled healer spread far and wide and many people who came to her for treatments ended up staying to form the Free Pilgrims Covenant. Madam Person's message was direct; Your worth is measured by your deeds, not by your words, It's what's in your heart that matters. (Inspirational Message, 9/9/06, p.56) Hartwell and Emily Preston played an important role in the history of Sonoma County and the North Coast. The story of their lives is a rich legacy of history and their message is untarnished by time.


Click these images to get bigger views. Left to right: Candle holder inside the church. One of three coat hooks on the wall of the entrance to the church. Ladder leading to the bell tower entrance. Front entrance doors to the church made of solid redwood. The inside of this church is still in pristine condition!!

Click for a larger view
of inside this church.

We worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We go in secret and pray, and confess our sins one and all. We meet together on Sundays and Thursdays for edification when each in turn should lead until we find our respective places in the Spirit. We are to live this religion everywhere and especially in our homes. Other wise we are not of the Covenant of God and Heaven. This do we voluntarily do. Amen.