California Historical Landmarks in Sonoma County
California Historical Landmark 939
Medica Gardens
5000 Medica Road
Santa Rosa
(Thematic)
John Medica Gardens
'Trying to make it look better,' John Medica spent 20 years transforming a barren hillside into a magical garden of plants and creative stone works. Castles were his greatest triumph. A native of Yugoslavia, self-taught, Medica created an oasis for people and animals to enjoy. This imaginative assemblage is one of California's remarkable Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments.
From the California Office of Historical Preservation (OHP Website)
We were unable to locate the Medica Gardens. The address on Medica Road now appears to be on private and gated property.
Shortly after publishing this page, we were contacted by Beatrice and Denis Delja who told us that the gardens are located in the gated community at the corner of Stone Castle and Quartz Drive. A resident of the community let the Deljas take photographs and publish them on their excellent website: www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com.
Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments expressed eccentric visions and obsessions.
Some, like Litto's Hub Cap Ranch are still here to delight us. Others, like Capidro, Hula Ville and Possum Trot are gone.
Perhaps these works were too personal and fragile to outlive their creators.