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A look back

Montgomery Village Historical Highlights

From its beginnings as an innovative planned community to the vibrant destination we know today, Montgomery Village always has been an important part of Santa Rosa’s story.

A vision for the Village

In 1949, Hugh Codding, a descendant of two pioneer Sonoma County families, had an innovative idea to develop a planned community that would include homes, a neighborhood shopping center, and a swimming pool. Soon after the homes were built, the shopping center took shape. It opened on Memorial Day in 1950 with 15 shops, a farmers market, and plenty of fanfare.

What’s in a name?

Montgomery Village takes its name from William “Billy” Montgomery, who was the first person from Santa Rosa to die while serving during World War II. Billy was aboard the USS California at Pearl Harbor.

Welcome to Santa Rosa

In 1955, the planned community of Montgomery Village was thriving with a neighborhood of 2,600 homes, a shopping center, a community swimming pool, local schools, churches, and a population of 12,000. After much debate, it was decided that Montgomery Village would be annexed and become part of Santa Rosa.

A Legacy Continues

In the 1990s, the founder’s son, David Codding, took over the reins of Montgomery Village and transformed the center into a modern shopping destination for the North Bay. Today, the tradition of offering the best local shops, wine country restaurants, and nationally recognized brands continues, as Montgomery Village ushers in its next chapter.