Napa Valley, once known for its cattle and silver mines, has grown into
an international wine destination. On the way, many buildings and
institutions have vanished. From the Von Uhlit family's fruit farm in
Napa to the Wheeler Ranch in St. Helena, fields and orchards became
neighborhoods and vineyards. The Dolphin, a steamboat that once
delivered travelers from San Francisco, was replaced by faster
transport, and the Napa State Hospital's original castle was demolished.
The Sawyer Tannery, in operation for over one hundred years, closed its
doors in 1990, and destinations like the Kay Von Drive-In and the Bel
Aire Bowl now live on only in memory. Join author and historian Lauren
Coodley as she celebrates these once-beloved landmarks in California's
Wine Country.