As documented in Of Mills & the River, the poultry industry was the major economic driver of early Petaluma and activity on the river to supply the industry and transport product to San Francisco and beyond. Incubator companies, and hatcheries are evident throughout central Petaluma.
What was once “The World’s Largest Baby Chick Hatchery” still remains, if somewhat hidden from common view at 7th and F Streets in in an older residential area.
Many of the old, and now repurposed, buildings north of Washington St. were once used for poultry and egg processing .
Evidence of the hatcheries and the poultry industry are evident throughout Petaluma and surrounding communities.