Once, again, the Hoppy Hopkins Research Library on the second floor of our local “Treasure Chest” – the Petaluma Historical Museum is the primary resource of another “golden nugget” about our favorite river town’s past. Most of today’s information was discovered in the bound volumes of local Centennial Editions. Part I will cover the “Argus-Courier’s Centennial Celebration” edition dated August 18, 1955, and Part II will be based on the “City of Petaluma Centennial Edition, 1858-1958” dated August 24, 1958 and cost $0.25.
Listed below are the headlines for various articles scattered throughout the various sections of these centennial celebration issues. Hopefully, these headlines will capture your attention and motivate you to visit the Petaluma Historical Museum and read the hard copies available in the Hoppy Hopkins Research Library.
Part I – “Argus-Courier Centennial Edition” – 1855-1955
Section A
The Argus-Courier Story – Apology Started the Newspaper
Newspapers Jumped from Site to Site
Petaluma Has Many Benefits
Poultry and Dairying Are Our Agricultural Leaders
Section B – Historical People, Places, Events
J.E. Lockwood – City’s First Settler
City Conceived, Born and Incorporated in Eight Years
Douglas Came in ’50
The Horse and Buggy Days
Pat Talamantes’s Story
Section C
Old Vigilance Bell Rang for History
Spanish Explored Our Valley in 1776
Name Origins – “Petaluma” Is Miwok Word
Section D
Our Neighbors Yesterday, Today
Section E
Cotati Named After Indian Chief Cotate
Drake Discovered Point Reyes Area
Section F – Today’s Local Government
Community Has Changed in Past Century — It’s Grown Up
Odd Fellows and The Rebekahs Founded Petaluma’s First Library
Police Department Replaced Justice From the Crowd
Pepper Was Our 1st Kindergarten
Section G
Key Industry for Petaluma – Hatcheries
Petaluma Financial Growth Marked by Banking Activity
Golden Eagle Employs Many
Creamery Among the Largest
First Incubator By Lyman Byce
4th District Fair Started in 1867
Section H
Scow Schooners Served City
The Old Steamboat Days
Disastrous 1872 Blaze Swept Downtown Petaluma
Settlers Aided by Railroads
Ho, for the Town Clock
Section I
Petaluma Is Center of Recreation Area
Historic Fort Ross Bell Now Is Back at Original Location
Petaluma Business – Trading Post to ’55
Post Office Occupied Many Sites
Section J
Many Faiths Represented in Petaluma Churches
One-Room Schools Hold Out Still in the Rural Area
Petaluma High Athletics Go Back to Nineteenth Century
Long-Time Resident Tells Feelings About County
Section K – Organizations-Clubs-Lodges
Our Youth-Scouts, Camp Fires
Red Cross Assists in Time of Need
Farm Centers Serve Rural Areas
PTA Serves the School and Home
Woman’s Club – An Area Leader
Service Clubs Help Build Goodwill
Volunteers are available on Thursday afternoons to help visitors find these “golden nuggets” containing the above historical information about “Our River Town.”