History of the Petaluma River

The Petaluma River is a tidewater slough. This once modest slough that twists and turns through salt marshes 14 miles from town to San Pablo Bay, made Petaluma the largest city in Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties throughout the 19th century. In 1860 Petaluma was flourishing as a city but navigation beyond what is now the dog park was still difficult due to shallow water and a narrow channel. Chinese laborers were hired to hand cut a channel through the meander to straighten the river. In 1862, and again in 1870, a steam excavator deepened, straightened, and widened the cut even further, allowing steamships to travel easily all the way to town. And in 1880 the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged and widened a channel as you see it now, 50' wide and 3' deep at low tide. At this time, an Act was put before Congress to change the slough's title to "River". since only rivers get government money for dredging. It still remains less expensive to haul livestock feed and building materials up from the Bay Area by barge than by truck or train. Tourism is also a major factor for keeping the river navigable. As you continue to walk south, look to the west along the river where the old barns and boat docks can be seen. This is the site of Haystack Landing where the Haystack Railroad was built in 1864 and ran until the river became navigable to town. The line ran from the Landing to 2nd and B Street, shuttling people and goods from steamers on the river to town.

Tour text from "Self Guided Tour of Shollenberger Park" available on site.