Stillwater Cove Photo Gallery by zonedout at pbase.com

Stillwater Cove

'Stillwater Cove Ranch School for Boys' as it is today. Stillwater is located on the Sonoma County coast, about 20 miles outside of nowhere. Back in the day, many boys who had outlived their welcome at home were sent here by their families. For me, it was a gift. This gallery is for any 'Old Boys' still out there. Last time I was there, Linda Rudy was managing the ranch as a guest ranch. No phones, no televisions and just enough firewood for an evening fire. Perfect. Go.
Update, October, 2013. Stillwater is no longer open as a guest ranch. It is now a private residence. Please respect the owner's wishes and do not trespass. If you are an alumnus of the Rudy years, you are welcome to call and arrange a visit.

Back of Little Boys Bunkhouse	Barn	Big Boys 2	Big Boys Bunkhouse	Big Boys Porch
Cabin with Addition	Cooks Cottage	Dairy Barn	Dining Room	Down to Headmasters House
Eucalipti	Ex Corral and Flag Pole	Fort Ross Chapel thru Original Glass	Kitchen Back Door	Little Boys Bunkhouse 2
Little Boys Bunkhouse 3	Little Boys Bunkhouse	Sandstone 1	Sandstone 2	Sandstone 3.
School House Steps_Porch is new	Sharks Fin from Big Boys Porch	Shoe Grey Day	Teachers Cottage 2.jpg	Teachers Cottage
The Bell	The Cove	The Creek

comment |

Howard Brooks		07-May-2021 12:57
Attended ‘54-‘56. Loved Stillwater Cove.

carlos goicoechea		04-Jun-2015 01:42
Any boys wishing to contact me can do so at: Carlos Goicoechea C. Cell: (506) 8345-4146 carlos@anthros.org / corunesita@gmail.com P. O. Box 381-2070, Sabanilla, Costa Rica. TXS in advance!!!

carlos goicoechea		04-Jun-2015 01:25
Hi, it's me Carlos again! I noticed I made a big mistake on the dates or time I was at Stillwater. The REAL period of time was September1961 to June 1962. I took the "SAT" test and they gave me a 10,6 Grade, so it was assumed that I had finished High School. The title they gave me was not valid in my country (Costa Rica) so I had to 'repeat' the year during 1963. And I'm still going steady, 60 years later!!! Thanks, Stillwater !!!

Guest		29-Aug-2014 12:52
Still looking for Scott Newhall, Gary Pitts and other old boys who were at the school in the 1950's, especially 1958-59 years. Am gathering memories to put into a booklet for others to enjoy! Buddy Steffen Larry@stratofex.com

carlos		12-Jul-2014 20:08
Good to see that Larry (Stephen) is picking up! Hope others do, too; let's get a snowball rolling!

Buddy (Larry) Steffen		12-Jul-2014 08:06
I have been talking with Carlos about our school days at Stillwater and we share the same love of the Rudy family and our days as students at Stillwater Cove Ranch School for Boys. I was a high school junior there in 1957-58 and prior to that, I spent several years there as an elementary or " junior" boy. When I arrived as a h.s. junior, Jerry helped me get a drivers license and soon I was driving the "chicken manure run" to a Sonoma chicken ranch with Scott Newhall and Ned Hamilton to load the truck. On one trip back to the ranch, as we were climbing Russian Gulch in low gear, Scott was discussing how the manure has potassium in it which is highly explosive. We suddenly noticed smoke pooring from under the dash board and I pulled over, shut the engine off, pulled the parking brake, left in in gear and we ran from the truck. At the truck rear was a Calif. Highway Patrol Officer who yelled "you boys come back here!". We yelled back " it's chicken manure, it's going to explode!". The officer reached under the dash and pulled out the firewall insulalation that had ignited from a manifold spark, and checked my license and truck registration, recognized the ranch and knew the Rudy family, and told us to get going. We always talked of a chicken manure reunion, but guess it will not be. I understand Ned passed away young and I have lost track of Scott Newhall. When I returned to public high school, my hard work at Stillwater enabled me to resume my track training (mile/2 mile/cross country) that led to a college scholarship and financial support. Milking cows at Stillwater gave us all "Popeye arms" also! Will post more stories later!

carlos		10-Nov-2013 05:21
Hi there, to any "old buddies" that may still be wandering around! All of a sudden this page just popped-out and really got me, some 53 years after having lived there as a pupil for 1 year (September 1960 to June 1961). The TOP professor the was JIM WELSH, a heck of a guy! He lived in a small trailer with his wife & 2 kids. He also had 2 German Shepherd dogs: Rex & Wolf. He taught us Biology (Marine) and to some of us, German. He also taught me to box, 'cause I was being 'bullied' by some of the "big boys". Very effective, I got rid of them! My name is Carlos, I am a citizen of Costa Rica (Central America), actually an outcast, as many of the boys in the school. Later on in my life I found out this was a school for "impossible children"... I remember 'Eskimo' and Bruce Holdsworth, from Alaska (Bruce from Anchorage) and Chris or 'Pineapple', from Hawaii- Also David Long, with whom I played Chess. The school had a one of those Alaskan dogs. She didn't get along with anyone, but I managed after about 2 months to make friends with her: NANOOK. A Huskie. I'll never forget her!!! Another kid, of last name Unser, during Christmas time took me with his family to visit Lake Tahoe. Nice guy, nice family! ! To be honest, sometimes some of us kids would "over do it" and become quite nasty! I remember tossing about 2 dozen eggs into a teacher's car (Mr. Kaess), also 'racing' the farms vehicles, a Dodge Power Wagon and a 1951 0r 52 Chevrolet truck all around the nearby pastures and rolling hills... I got my High School there and I am very proud of having been there. UNFORGETTABLE TIMES!!! Hope someone of those days reads this; he can reach me at: corunesita@gmail.com I'll be waiting!!!

Guest		29-Sep-2013 05:58
I camped at the ranch with my parent's diving club around 1970. The school was closed but there were still vestiges. My brothers went exploring and found an office with filing cabinets full of records. We found a letter some poor boy had written his parents begging them to come get him and his brother, complaining that the promotional ads for the school were lies. Complaints about the food, chores, no horses to ride and other issues. Letter was never sent, ended up in his file. There were old clippings of reports of some boys from the school found wandering drunk on Highway 1. We found a preserved horse embryo in a jar. I got the impression that all was not right with the school. But the surrounding area was great for hiking while my parents spent the day diving. Rolling hills, meadows, pine trees. I was a troubled teen myself at the time, and found the natural beauty of the ranch to have a healing effect. These are beautiful photos and I thank you for sharing them.

zonedout		07-Nov-2012 01:28
I was at Stillwater for 2 years 63-64 and 64-65.This was just after Mr. Rudy died. The school was run by several different people during these years. There were quite a few boys who over-lapped the Rudy years and the time after. Definitely interesting times. Everyones memories are different, but most seemed to enjoy those years. I did. ....z

RUSS ADAMS		07-Nov-2012 00:51
HAHA.. I WENT THERE TOO IN 56 AND 57 AND IT WAS A GREAT PLACE FOR ALL OF US LITTLE JUVENILE DELINQUINTS..THE RUDY FAMILY WAS GREAT AND KEPT US ALL IN LINE OR YOU WOULD GET THE BELT IN THE BARN..I LOVED RIDING HORSES AND MILKING COWS AND BEING A YOUNG, ROUGH KID UP THERE..I KNOW DOUG YOU WERE KIDDING , ?????????HAHA. LIFE IS GOOD AYE>>>>>

Guest		15-Jul-2011 20:48
For those of us who have spent many wonderful times at Stillwater Cove Ranch over the years--these photos are a treasure to see. Perfect coast weather, too--late fall. Many thanks for posting them... Tony and Betsy Dubovsky

frommnik		25-May-2011 08:16
Another evocative, moody gallery. Well done.

judithann		23-Mar-2011 22:07
Wonderful images! Appreciate the explanation of the school. :o) regards, Judy

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment