History
The Balalaika Guest Homes are newly built with every modern necessity, but their story began long ago. The balalaika is a stringed instrument dating back to the 14th century in Russia. It suits our guest homes well, as it reflects the cultural heritage of the Russian River, and particularly, Rio Nido.
The Russian Influence
At about the beginning of the 19th century, Russian fir trappers from the Aleutian Islands set up an outpost on the Pacific Coast north of the peaceful, meandering river named Shabaikai by the native Pomo Indians. For a few decades the beaver trappers hunted the area along the river they called Slavianka, loosely translated "pretty little Russian girl". By 1841 the beaver population began to disappear, and the trappers abandoned their outpost, now called Fort Ross.
From the eastern part of the river came the Spanish settlers, under the auspices of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who set up a presidio called Juarez at what is now Mirabel Park. His brother-in-law, John B.R. Cooper, set up the very first power sawmill on the site.
Timber harvesting became the major industry for the vast redwood area. Mills were established throughout the river basin, and towns sprouted up. Guerneville, known as Stumptown, where the redwood stands in the surrounding hills were reduced to giant redwood stumps, became the largest town. Railroads not only distributed the lumber throughout the state, they also brought families from San Francisco.
By early 1920s, thousands of people came to the growing resort communities each summer. Rio nido, not yet called Rio Nido, was "the place" to be for fun and entertainment. It was during this time the accomodations now known as the Balalaika Guest Homes first flourished. They charged $23 a week to its guests, and that included three meals a day.
Over the decades they served the tourist industry through good times and bad. By the 1980s they had become known as Balalaika, in honor of the early Russian River heritage. The almost century-old building showed its age, as was evident when one customer commented on the number of pots and pans in the kitchen. "They're not for cooking," said the manager. "They're for the roof leaks!"
In 1992 a fire struck the old homes condemming them to be eventually torn down. In the year 2005 contruction began to build the new Balalaika Guest Homes which became available in the summer of 2006.
As the balalaika instrument reflected the diverse cultural history of Russia, we honor the diverse culture and history of Rio Nido and the Balalaika Homes and chose to keep the name of the Balalaika, into the properties next generation. We hope you too will appreciate a sense of its heritage when you decide to visit the Balalaika Guest Homes and the Russian River area.