Bennett Valley is named for James Bennett, a squatter in the area who was elected to the state legislature in 1853.

Isaac De Turk’s vineyard in Bennett Valley was the center of wine production in Bennett Valley at this time, and his wine cellar in Santa Rosa had the capacity to produce 300,000 gallons of wine. Other agricultural products of the valley in 1889 included apples and other fruit; hay, wheat, oats and barley; horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.

In the late 19th century the valley had a population of about 300 people. The Santa Rosa School District in Bennett Valley, one of the earliest in the county, was attended by 30 children. The Bennett Valley Grange was the first grange hall in Sonoma County and one of the first grange halls in the state.

Source: permitsonoma.org.