Fort Ross is a former Russian fort on the northern California coast. It was the southernmost hub of Russian settlements in North America between 1812 to 1842. Fort Ross is designated a California and a National Historic Landmark, and is part of the Fort Ross California State Park.
Fort Ross was established by Commerce Counselor Ivan Kuskov of the Russian-American Company. A 1813 report to Emperor Alexander from the Russian American Company Council stated the reason for the establishment as: “Its purpose is to establish a [Russian] settlement there or in some other place not occupied by Europeans, and to introduce agriculture there by planting hemp, flax and all manner of garden produce; they also wish to introduce livestock breeding in the outlying areas, both horses and cattle, hoping that the favorable climate, which is almost identical to the rest of California, and the friendly reception on the part of the indigenous people, will assist in its success”.