Discover Stonyford

For a trip to Stonyford, local history, the museum and East Park Reservoir offer different points of interest. Its history stretches from its former name, Smithville, to the wider regional area. Current exhibits at the Stonyford Museum include regional reservoirs and dams; at East Park Reservoir, fish populations and a migratory corridor come into focus. The Stonyford Rodeo adds a specific event to these perspectives.

Local History, the Museum and Regional Traces

Stonyford originated as Smithville. In 1890, the town was moved to its current location and renamed Stonyford. The move and the name change happened at the same time: the history of the town’s present name is therefore also connected to its change of location.

The Stonyford Town Hall building was restored and converted into a museum. Current exhibits at the Stonyford Museum include regional reservoirs and dams; individual presentations may change over time. The museum’s displays thus connect the transformation of the building with topics from the region.

The Catholic church known as Mt. St. Mary's was moved from Zackary to Stonyford. Zackary’s former location is now beneath East Park Dam. The church’s history thus extends from its relocation to Stonyford to a former site that now lies beneath the dam.

In the wider region around Stonyford, Letts Valley was settled by Jack and David Lett in 1855. The lake outlet in Letts Valley today is located where Jack and David Lett dug a tunnel for drainage. The valley’s history therefore brings settlement and drainage together.

The historical perspective here has two scales: Smithville and the relocation of the church concern Stonyford itself; Letts Valley is part of the wider region. This distinction helps separate local history from regional connections without conflating them.

East Park Reservoir: Fish Populations and a Migratory Corridor

East Park Reservoir has warm-water fish species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. For anglers, this list provides a specific indication of the fish population. Fishing conditions vary by season, so if fishing is one of your interests, take the time of year into account when planning.

The reservoir is also located along a migratory corridor between California’s Central Valley and the Coastal Range. This adds another perspective on the lake: alongside its fish population, its ecological position between these two regions also comes into view.

Stonyford Rodeo and Parade

The Stonyford Rodeo is presented as a full Western weekend in Stonyford. The annual program may change. If the event is a reason for your trip, check the dates for the year you want to visit before making plans around it.

The Stonyford Rodeo Parade route runs from Indian Valley Elementary School through town to the Rodeo Grounds. The weekend description gives the context for the rodeo; the parade route, by contrast, specifies a particular path. Event details may change from year to year, so it is advisable to check the information for the relevant date before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Williams, Colusa.

For the broader travel overview: Colusa County.