History

The City of Fortuna owns, maintains and operates two parks, Rohner and Newburg. Both parks are intensively managed for multiple recreational activities and special events. Buildings and areas in the two parks are available for use by the public.

Rohner Park is a 55-acre park located in the center of Fortuna. It has a large Pavilion that is used for roller skating, basketball, dances, parties and other special events. Other facilities include a Rodeo Arena, three little league baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court, horseshoe pits, volleyball net, a pistol range, a cook shack, a deep pit barbecue, two playgrounds, a recreation hall, a large picnic area, several smaller picnic area, public restrooms, hiking trails, second growth Redwood forest and a Museum.

Rohner Park is an ideal setting for both large and small special events. From the first of June through the end of September, park facilities are either rented out each weekend or hosting a large special event, such as Art & Wine in the Park. Fortuna Rodeo, Redwood AutoXPo and Apple Harvest.

Background History on Rohner Park

The Rohner Family donated, or sold at minimal cost, the entire 55 acre park to the City. Fortuna purchased the first parcel of 20 acres in 1907 for $1,000 by Mary Bulkeley Rohner. In 1921, the Rohner Family ‘sold’ an additional 19.5 acres to the City for $600 per acre. An additional 13.5 acres was donated in 1938 and the final two acres were donated in 1940 by Elizabeth Rohner Barcus. (Information gathered from a letter from Franklin B. Rohner in 1993.)

Park development started with plantings of maple, locust and pine and the construction of picnic tables.

In 1921, baseball enthusiasts added a diamond and in 1933 the Fireman’s Association constructed the Pavilion. The City completed additional landscaping, the Rodeo Grounds, children’s play area and added field lights in 1938. The Firemen’s Association constructed the outdoor fireplace in the 1940’s. Relocation of the Railroad Depot in 195 was the last major addition.

Rohner Park served as Fortuna’s only park for over seventy years. Population growth increased the park use until the single facility was no longer adequate.

In 1979, the City of Fortuna purchased 18.5 acres of pastureland and created Newburg Park. Newburg Park has a variety of recreational facilities including: two regulation hardball fields, two regulation softball fields, one regulation soccer field, additional soccer fields of varying sizes, a picnic area, a playground, an all weather walking path and public restrooms.

Fortuna Auto Park

Yes, there was a motel in Rohner Park, but it was long after this picture was taken that the word “Motor HoTEL” started being used.

Below is the earliest picture of Rohner Park that we’ve been able to find, and the establishment is called “Fortuna Auto Park”. It shows an automobile service station, several large buildings and rows of cabins in the middle of the park and along Rohner Creek. The photographer’s location was on the hill above today’s Firemen’s Pavilion, facing west. Rohner Creek flows behind the Auto Park and curves toward the left front corner of the picture. The main house is located where the basketball court is today and the house at the far right of the picture is located near today’s Little League Snack Shack.