THE WONDERS OF PETALUMA
October 27th, 2008 
I was up at the Sonoma Mountain School in Petaluma, CA on Thursday for their annual Community Book Read, featuring The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. The entire school had read the book AND participated in a scavenger hunt to find The Seven Wonders of Petaluma. It’s the city’s 150th anniversary and it was readily apparent that narrowing the wonders down to seven would be just about impossible. They did get it down to 10.
As librarian Linda Beth Freese and I took a walking tour Wednesday evening, I was absolutely amazed at the charming turn-of-the-century architecture, well maintained and still in use. Shops, houses, old warehouses all in beautiful condition. We ate overlooking the pretty Petaluma River.
On Thursday, in addition to speaking to two groups of wonder-full students (K-3 and 4-6), I visited many individual classrooms to look at their projects and answer questions. In the evening, there was a great turnout for a short talk, good ol’ country food including Aunt Pretty’s prize-winning peaches, and fun and games such as a Seven Wonders of Petaluma Miniature Golf Course and a carving booth. I missed out on the mini-golf because I was signing lots and lots of books! My thanks to Principal Suzanne Martin, Librarian Linda Beth Freese and the PTA for a whirlwind and unforgettable visit!
Wonder #2 - Old Petaluma Library, now a museum
Wonder #3 - Champion the horse in front of Heebe Jeebe - a shop full of wonders. I'd have ridden him but I didn't have a quarter!
Tour guides Julia and Liam made sure I didn't get lost!
Librarian Linda Beth Freese went beyond the call of duty.
And here’s a list of the 10 Wonders of Petaluma.
1. The Petaluma Adobe – Adobe Road – where it all began in 1836. I’m sorry I missed this. We thought we might pop by there on Thursday but ran out of time.
2, Old Petaluma Library – one of the first of the Carnegie Free Libraries
3. Heebe Jeebe/Champion – good old-fashioned fun
4. Temperance Fountain – warning of the dangers of alcohol, erected by the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union)
5. Volpi’s Restaurant – a former speakeasy – you can still ring the speakeasy bell. (Note: The WCTU would not have approved)
6. Penry Park – a beautiful view in honor of Sgt Richard Penry, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
7. Wrist Wrestling Statue – the other wonder I missed, commemorating an annual event
8. The Petaluma River – once used to transport goods, especially Petaluma’s famed eggs – to San Francisco, it’s now used for recreation (and there’s a drawbridge)!
9. Boulevard Cinema – the newest wonder, but a wonder indeed. A girl scout troop decided the town needed a movie theater a few years back and it only took four years for them to make it to happen! The names of the girls are forever encased in the sidewalk in front
10. Hunt and Behrens Feed Store – still in operation
I’ll try and post some more pictures next time of this picturesque town next time.
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marah says:
what is your favroute book? thanks for visting
November 5, 2008, 9:40 ammarah says:
thanks for visiting i love your books
November 5, 2008, 9:41 amdrew washer says:
hello
May 23, 2009, 12:51 pmthis was so fun to come across on the internet …dont ask me how?
but i am owner of heebe jeebe and champion …it makes me smile every time a kid with quarter in hand …runs up the street yelling… “champion” ! simple things …sweet things…memories in the making…awwh child hood… having great time looking at all your books …really wonderful
thanks so much …drew
Ms. Moxie says:
Aww shucks! Cool blog Betty. Heebe Jebe rocks! We do have some wonderful treasures here. P-Town is a wonderful town!
Cheers,
Cheryl
May 23, 2009, 1:37 pmjulia says:
hey! believe it or not I’m Julia in that photo. Now I’m a 7th grader but Liam and I are still friends!
Hope you come back and visit,
April 11, 2011, 6:50 pmJulia
Betty says:
Hi, Julia! I had such a great time in Petaluma and you two were great tour guides. Tell Liam I said hi!
April 14, 2011, 2:28 pmjulia says:
Hey Ms. Birney!
I cannot believe you replied! Wow I remember getting asked to meet you. I was very nervous. I am glad I decided to follow through! You were a great “tourist”
May 9, 2011, 5:15 pm-Julia