History
From swamp land surveys to a mile of homes on the Napa River.
Last updated November 5, 2026
1863 and 1871
State patent surveys
The original state patents for this ground are the 1863 swamp and overflowed lands survey No. 107 and the 1871 survey No. 119.
Source: Levee maps and surveys
1877
Upland patent
[CONFIRM] An upland patent on land along what is now Milton Road. We need the patent number and a source before this entry is final.
Early 1900s
The levee goes up
The levee dates to the early 1900s and runs about 8,000 feet. Each owner still owns and maintains their own section.
Source: Napa River Reclamation District
1945
Lots and fishing cabins
Lots were subdivided starting in 1945. Early homes were weekend fishing cabins. The first recorded subdivision, Ingersoll's Cabin Site, was filed in 1946 by R.F. and Alma Ingersoll along what was then Dutra Road.
Source: Levee maps and surveys
1949
Dutra Road becomes Milton Road
On June 14, 1949, Dutra Road was renamed for PFC Milton Revere Emerick of Napa, killed August 3, 1944 in the battle for Rennes, France.
1953
State Lands survey
The State's June 1953 survey fixed the high-water line. The State owns the riverbed waterward of it, so docks and decks there need a state lease.
Source: What State Lands told us
1957
Napa Valley Marina
[CONFIRM] Napa Valley Marina built by Albert and Lawrence Giovannoni. We need a source before this entry is final.
1974
Reclamation district formed
The Edgerly Island Reclamation District formed in 1974. Today it's Napa River Reclamation District #2109, running sewer service and three dewatering pumps.
Source: NRRD 2109
1983
Two floods in one year
Water came over in January and again in December 1983. Earlier tide floods hit in 1967 and 1973.
1998
February flood
The February 1998 storms flooded the road again.
2014
South Napa earthquake
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck south Napa on August 24, 2014.
Source: USGS event page
2026
El Niño emergency
Governor Newsom proclaimed a statewide El Niño emergency on September 21, 2026.
Source: Flood Ready
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