There is nothing “strange” about our next “familiar” site in downtown Petaluma. It is obvious that it is (or was) a Post Office building. Even if you have never used it for postal services, do you know where it is located? It’s been there since 1926. It isn’t that far from Strangeness #1.

Brainerd Jones was hired by George P. McNear to design Petaluma’s second Post Office building. The structure is a combination of neoclassical elements in the entrance with Gothic Revival style columns. It is built of white Alameda brick from the McNear brick yard in San Rafael. The building was constructed by H.P. Vogensen, and served as Petaluma’s Post Office from 1920 to 1932. A replacement Post Office was built at Fourth and D Streets, which was the former location of the John A McNear Mansion.

BTW, if you have never seen the “Hammer & Tongs, plus a Horseshoe” (Strangeness #1) in front of Rex Ace Hardware store, make sure you drop by and take a look. Then cross over to the former U.S. Office building at 22-34 Petaluma Blvd. next to the Great Petaluma Mill.

Stay tuned for The Strangeness of the Familiar site #3, next week.

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