(from the May 1971 edition of The Hallmark)

Flags of seven nations have flown over the area known today as the Redwood Empire of northern California. Now, the rolling hills of this historic wine and cattle-raising country play host to the U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station, Two Rock Ranch, Petaluma, California.The Redwood Empire around Two Rock Ranch Station has felt the tread of miners, Spanish grandees, and pious fathers of the Catholic Church who came to found their Missions and teach the Gospel.

The first to claim the area was Sir Francis Drake, who landed in what is now called Drake's Bay at Point Reyes, California. The serene bay that Drake sailed into is now a place where personnel from TRRS swim and fish while enjoying nearly the same view as Drake, thanks to the newly-created Point Reyes National Seashore.

The station's history dates only from August of 1942, when the War Department purchased nine tracts of rich ranch lands totaling 876 acres at a cost of $97,377. The first contingent of troops to occupy the installation included 2 officers and 45 enlisted men from Ft. Monmouth, N.J., who arrived in October 1942. The only billeting consisted of tents while the former ranch houses were converted for use as administrative and operational facilities.

Because of the war in progress, all buildings were camouflaged to blend into the surrounding country. From the air, TRRS looked no different than any other ranch in the area, with the water supply covered by a haystack and false furrows created around the operations areas. The post had been founded as a Signal Security Agency installation, with a mission to provide communications operators for the war in the Pacific. In 1945, TRSS was redesignated a special installation and placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Security Agency.

With the end of the war, a program of permanent construction was started with the building of a modern, all-purpose Operations Building, consolidated Mess Hall and five permanent troop barracks. Since then, progress of permanent construction has expanded to add a Post Headquarters, Special Services Gym, tennis courts, 84 enlisted family housing units, 10 company and 3 field grade officer quarters, and most recently, a new Post Dispensary with all the modern facilities required for current needs. The station stands today as a small but modern ASA installation, and includes most of the administrative, logistical, recreational, medical and religious facilities found on other installations of equal or larger size.

Two Rock Ranch is situated on the northwest ridge of the Two Rock Valley. This particular section of northern California is referred to as the "Gateway to the Redwood Empire," symbolic of the giant redwood forests, located 40 miles north at Guerneville. Petaluma, the nearest city, is nine miles east of TRSS on US Highway 101 and has a population of 25,000. This figure includes not only many officers and enlisted men currently assigned to the station, but also the large number of retired military personnel who have adopted this area for their home. Although agriculture still ranks as Petaluma's chief commodity, a shift to light industry is underway.

Within the station itself, Two Rock Ranch boasts many recreational and sports facilities. Also, TRRS is proud of its long tradition of participation in local and regional tournaments in nearly every type of sporting activity. The geographic location of TRRS makes it an excellent starting point for sightseeing or outdoor sports. Nearby are many recreational beaches, including Drake's Bay, which are good for surfing and swimming. And during the summer months, a deep-sea fishing boat is available through Special Services at Bodega Bay, only 11 miles from the Post. Sightseers enjoy not only the redwood forests to the north, but also quick trips to historic Fort Ross which is close by. Fort Ross was built by Russian settlers in 1811 to support Russian claims to large areas of western Canada and the present states of Washington, Oregon and much of northern California.

California, of course, is the most prominent wine-producing state in the United States. The Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties are world renowned for their wine products, and nearly all the wineries offer a tour of their plants along with a delicious and enlightening sampling of their products. The station enjoys a nearly perfect year-round climate. The average temperature stays close to 65 degrees in the winter and 70 degrees in the summer. Personnel assigned to TRRS go quickly from their operational duties to capitalize on the wealth of activities available in one of America's most beautiful out-of-door areas.

San Francisco, one of the Western World's most prominent cultural centers, is only an hour away. In "The City," featured events range from boat shows and the world's biggest car show to rodeos and the San Francisco Opera. With the serenity of the giant redwood forests on the north, the alluring call of the Pacific beaches, the constant clamor of things to do, places to go and sights to see, a duty tour at Two Rock Ranch, is somehow amazingly short.