What a day this has been! At first, I was preparing to compose a blog dealing with Emergency Preparedness because today’s Argus-Courier featured the Westridge Knolls NERT model in their “Community Section.” Then, it dawned on me. Today’s date – April 12 – is of great significance to Petalumans. Do you know why? What happened 148 years, ago, today?

An Act to incorporate the town of Petaluma as a charted city by the State of California was approved.

The California Secretary of State signed the act on April 14, 1858. Section 2 stated: “The corporate limits of the City of Petaluma shall be as follows: commencing at the South West corner of Main and English Streets (now Petaluma Blvd. & Western Ave.)in the town of Petaluma, Sonoma County and State of California, thence South thru fourth of a mile, thence at right angels (their spelling, not mine) west thru fourth of a mile, thence North one mile and a half, thence East one mile and a half, thence South one mile and a half, thence West three fourths of a mile, including an area, within said limits of two square miles and one fourth which shall be known as the City of Petaluma.”

Section 6: There shall also be elected at each annual election of the city of Petaluma, a Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, and Marshal, who shall hold office for one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Are you still with me? If so, let’s take a time out, get a map of Petaluma and trace those directions. Later tonight (or tomorrow), I’ll post additional tidbits of information related to this significant day in the history of Our Petaluma. Stay tuned to find out who was elected and what almost happened.