Insider Edition 100 | October 14, 2025 | | | | |
Hello Windsor!
Celebrating Windsor’s Story: 100 Editions of Community and Connection
Welcome to the 100th edition of the Windsor Insider!
Since its first issue, the Insider has sought to serve as a bridge between the Town and its residents—celebrating accomplishments, highlighting community events and concerts, showcasing Town projects, and sharing resources that make Windsor an even better place to live.
For this milestone edition, we’re turning back the clock with the help of the Windsor Museum & Historical Society to revisit the stories, people, and moments that have shaped our community—from its earliest days as Poor Man’s Flat, to the arrival of the railroad and the SMART Train, to the legacy of educator Rudy Huerta.
Your feedback is always welcome as we honor Windsor’s past while looking to its future.
In this edition of the Insider:
- History of our Town - contributions Windsor Museum & Historical Society
- The Naming of Windsor
- From Windsor Station to SMART
- The Rudy Huerta Gymnasium
- Looking Back -and Ahead
- Solid Waste Collection Services Update
- Free Senior Seminar: Current Scams
- Downtown Windsor Photo Contest
- Band Selection Committee Member Needed
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge Workshop
- Garden Stewardship Day
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HISTORY OF OUR TOWN
CONTRIBUTIONS WINDSOR MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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The Naming of Windsor
Before there was a Town of Windsor, there was Poor Man’s Flat.
According to the 1937 History of Sonoma County, local character Tom Sewell jokingly coined the name in 1854. But the humor didn’t last—what began as “Poor Man’s Flat” soon became one of Sonoma County’s best-known wine-producing regions, and the name fell away as the community prospered.
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That same year, Hiram Lewis, Windsor’s first postmaster, established an informal post office and gave the town its lasting name. While a later myth claimed Lewis was an Englishman nostalgic for Windsor Forest, records show he was born in Kentucky. It’s more likely that the oak-dotted landscape reminded settlers of England’s famous forest, popularized in the literature and images of the day.
When the post office became official in 1855, Hiram’s son Sevier Lewis was appointed as the first official postmaster, and Windsor’s name was secured.
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From Windsor Station to SMART
Railroads transformed Sonoma County in the 1870s—and Windsor was no exception.
As chronicled by local historian William L. Beedie, the race between two competing railroad companies to reach Healdsburg ended just above Windsor in 1871.
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When the Donahue Line was chosen as the surviving route, the community shifted west to be near the tracks—creating two distinct settlements:
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East Windsor, the quiet, original town center along today’s Old Redwood Highway; and
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West Windsor, the bustling “Windsor Station,” is a hub of grape shipping and commerce.
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By 1898, the Illustrated Atlas of Sonoma County described East Windsor as “content to drowse and dream,” while West Windsor thrived with “two of the largest wineries in Sonoma County.”
That early move west laid the foundation for the Windsor we know today. More than 150 years later, the rails have returned—this time carrying the SMART Train, which reached Windsor in June 2025, reconnecting the Town to the regional transit network and echoing the same spirit of progress that first drew settlers to the tracks.
| | The Rudy Huerta Gymnasium: A Legacy of Leadership and Inclusion | | |
On October 29, 1970, the Healdsburg High School Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the new Windsor Junior High School gymnasium in honor of Rudolfo “Rudy” Huerta—a beloved Spanish and driver education teacher who had been killed in a tragic automobile accident the previous December.
Huerta, only 38 at the time of his death, had been scheduled to teach and counsel at the new Windsor campus when it opened. His dedication to students—particularly as a mentor and liaison for Mexican-American youth—left a deep impression across Healdsburg and Windsor.
Following his passing, more than 400 residents signed a petition urging the district to name the gym in his honor. The campaign, led by Mexican-American community members, became a powerful expression of civic pride and representation. At the emotional public meeting where the vote was taken, residents spoke passionately about Huerta’s impact and what the name would mean to local families.
| | | | One community member, José Arreguin, told the board: “We are only asking to name a gym after Rudy Huerta. Fifty percent of our kids drop out of school. Why? Because they don’t have anything to identify with. With this name, maybe someday they’ll be teaching your grandchildren.” The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Robert Renolif called the community’s petition “an eye-opener.” | | In an open letter, the Healdsburg Union High School District Board of Trustees later wrote: “Mr. Huerta did much to positively promote better Mexican-American relations among the students, and he was held in high esteem by all who came to know him. He so successfully touched the lives of so many, and had a positive effect on improving their attitudes and outlook on their educational goals.” Today, the Rudy Huerta Gymnasium remains a lasting tribute to an educator, leader, and bridge-builder. | | | | |
Looking Back—and Ahead
From its humble beginnings as Poor Man’s Flat to the arrival of SMART, Windsor’s story has always been one of resilience, reinvention, and community pride. As the Town celebrates its 100th Insider and continues to write the next chapters of its history, we extend special thanks to the Windsor Museum & Historical Society for preserving these stories—and to every resident, past and present, who has shaped the character of Windsor.
| | SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES UPDATE | | |
The Town is currently preparing to develop a new Request for Proposals (RFP) and Franchise Agreement for solid waste collection services, effective October 1, 2027.
On August 6, the Town Council appointed Vice Mayor Tanya Potter and Councilmember JB Leep to the Town’s Solid Waste Council Ad Hoc Committee.
On October 1, the following information was reported out at the Council meeting during the Mayor & Councilmember Report Out.
- The Council Solid Waste Ad Hoc committee has met with staff three times, received the Town’s executed agreements for solid waste management – all agreements are listed on the Town’s website, and worked with the Town Manager on the consideration of a Solid Waste Community Committee.
- On September 25, the Solid Waste Community Committee was formed, with 5 community members being selected.
- A social media post was released 3 times on the Town’s social media channels seeking interested parties.
- The Town received 8 interested parties.
- The selection process was based on the following criteria: Resident At Large, Multi-Family, Commercial/Business, Community-Based Organization/Sustainability, and Windsor Unified School District.
- A Town staff panel was formed with 4 members with experience in Contract Administration, Risk Management, Sustainability, and Administration.
| The Town will be holding two public meetings for the community to learn about the solid waste competitive bidding process. This is a perfect opportunity for the community to ask questions, share feedback, and help shape the future of waste collection services in our community. | | |
Date: Tuesday, October 21
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Windsor Senior Recreation Center
Format: In-person only
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Date: Monday, October 27
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Windsor Senior Recreation Center
Format: In-person or by Zoom https://townofwindsor.zoom.us/j/89350323367
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We want to hear from our community! The Windsor Solid Waste Collection Services Survey will allow the public to share their thoughts, preferences, and priorities. All feedback will help ensure that the new agreement reflects the needs of our residents and businesses. Please take a few minutes to complete.
English version of the survey: https://form.jotform.com/252756210969061
| | FREE SENIOR SEMINAR: CURRENT SCAMS | | | | |
Date: Tuesday, 11/4
Time: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Location: Windsor Senior Recreation Center
Join us for a discussion on current scams, including impersonation, romance, cryptocurrency investments, and more! We'll give you information on steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to scams. Presented by Hana Aymar, the Enterprise Fraud Manager for Redwood Credit Union. To register, call (707) 838-1250.
| | DOWNTOWN WINDSOR PHOTO CONTEST | | | | |
Calling all local photographers!
The 2025-2026 Downtown Windsor Photo Gallery will be accepting submissions from
October 1 through November 14.
Photos can be submitted in the categories of:
- Parks, Events
- Learning/Education
- People
- Arts
- Culture
- Food
- Nature
| | Submitted photos will be reviewed at the Public Art Advisory Commission meeting in January to select the winners. To submit your photo, learn more about the program and see past winners, visit https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/1397/Downtown-Photo-Gallery We can’t wait to see what you think makes Windsor a great place to Live, Work and Play! | | BAND SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS | | | | |
The Town of Windsor is seeking to recruit a community member and a youth community member for the Summer Nights on the Green concert series Band Selection Committee.
Visit our website to find out more information and how to apply! Band Selection Committee | Windsor, CA - Official Website
| | TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE WORKSHOP | | | | |
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Windsor Senior Recreation Center
With the Hybrid Indigenous Stewardship
Come join an interactive session with the Hybrid Indigenous Stewardship, where participants learn about indigenous ways of understanding and stewarding the natural environment. Participants will gain insights into traditional ecological methods that can be applied to contemporary environmental challenges.
This is a free event open to all ages
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Join us on October 25 from 9 AM to 11 AM
for a Garden Stewardship Day at Michael A. Hall Park Pollinator and Rain Gardens.
| | To contact the Mayor or a Councilmember, visit the Windsor Town Council webpage for more information. | | |
Come Join Us!
The Town of Windsor is active with events year-round.
The following Town links will provide you with dates and event details to "mark your calendar".
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The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people.
For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com.
Join our team! Go here to apply.
| | Here are some public meetings and workshops we would love for you to participate in. For more information on the agenda, view the meeting, or the recording click on the meeting link. | | As always, if you'd like to get the Insider sent directly to your email inbox, go to our Notify Me page to sign up. Please let us know what you think -- we welcome your feedback. | | Follow us on social media! | | |
Town of Windsor
9291 Old Redwood Highway
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 838-1000
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