Dating from 1882, the clock tower is fixed atop the three story Masonic Building on the corner of Petaluma Blvd. and Western...
Another historic landmark is the Mystic Theater...
The parking lot in north side of the theater played a pivotal role in "American Graffiti" in a scene where one of the characters chains the rear axel of cop car to a pole.
This Vintage Bank Antiques building is seen in alot of the night cruising scenes in "American Graffiti" as well.
Posters for upcoming events seen in various store windows.
There was even street art in a few side alleys...
The famed row of Italianate Ironfront buildings on Western Ave between Kentucky and Petaluma Blvd. The exterior were made of iron which the builders thought would be more long lasting. The 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco destroyed much of SF's ironfront buildings. Although the epicenter was only eighteen miles away in Petaluma, much of Petaluma's buildings remained intact. Petaluma is known for its variety of well preserved and varied architectural styles.
The banner was advertising the upcomign Mad Hatter Ball, an Alice in Wonderland themed fundraiser. That explained the Alice in Wonderland imagery we saw in some store window displays. I liked seeing the creativity of the window displays. Our recent San Diego Fair's theme was also Alice in Wonderland, "Mad About the Fair".
We'd been wanting to check this place out, the Petaluma Pie Company. It located in the Helen Putnam Plaza in the heart of downtown Petaluma.
Sadly because it was already the late afternoon, many of their savory pies were gone and only a few sweet pies were left. We got one of the last ones left, a strawberry creme pie, to have a dessert later on. The salesgirl was really nice and turned out to be a Game of Thrones fan (she commented on Bert's shirt with the sigils of the four main houses; yes we are nerds).
Funny faux religious candles with pop culture figures. I'll take the Johnny Depp as "Crybaby" and Winona Ryder as "Lydia" from "Beetlejuice" pelase.
Ha ha. Any X-Files fans out there? Or "Walking Dead"?
More of the Ironfront building.
Lan-Mart building which has a lot of arts and crafts related stores inside. This building was also seen in the background in "American Graffiti" and "Peggy Sue Got Married".
I love seeing old tile fronts like this, many with now defunct businesses embedded in the design. They have a lot of these in downtown San Diego, North Park and Lemon Grove to name a few.
WCTU stands for the Women's Christian Temperance Union. This water fountain was erected in 1891 and promoted the banning of alcohol. Reminds me of the reason for the Benson bubblers in Portland where they wanted townspeople to drink more water instead of alcohol.
This plaque was near the Ironfront buidlings. The facades were made in San Francisco and shipped to Petaluma to be placed over the brick exteriors.
As seen somewhere downtown. More info on Petaluma Pete here.
Saldy, the Petaluma Historical Musuem which is houses in an old Carnegie Library was closed. It would be closed during the duration of our entire trip, opening only after the day we left (pulls out hair in frustration).
Detail from one of the downtown buildings...
Our delicious strawberry cream pie. Loved the buttery crust.
Enjoyed later after our dinner at a nearby Peruvian restaurant (that post is forthcoming).
More info:
cityofpetaluma.net
www.visitpetaluma.com
www.petalumadowntown.com
+ "Best of Petaluma" on TripAdvisor
Petaluma Pie Company
125 Petaluma Blvd N, Suite D
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 766-6743
www.petalumapiecompany.com
Our hotel was only five blocks away from downtown. Our dinner destination was just literally a few steps away from our hotel which was quite convenient. At the time of our visit, it was newly opened and we were interested in giving it a try...That post next.
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