With Halloween approaching, I’m joining my fellow sign enthusiasts to spotlight one of Petaluma’s lesser-known …
Ghost Sign Spotlight: The Stayner Foundry at 521 First StreetRead More

Down the Rabbit Hole with Katherine – a blog that seeks to highlight the rich and diverse history that surrounds and delights me. This history may be unique to Petaluma, but not always. The posts are written for my own enjoyment. If others find them entertaining so much the better!

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
With Halloween approaching, I’m joining my fellow sign enthusiasts to spotlight one of Petaluma’s lesser-known …
Ghost Sign Spotlight: The Stayner Foundry at 521 First StreetRead More

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
Mission accomplished! Petaluma's beloved 91-year-old iconic neon chick sign is glowing brightly once more.On …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
I was delighted to attend the April 11th Butter & Egg Days opening ceremony at the Petaluma Historical …
Butter & Egg Days 2026 Kicks Off with Good Egg CeremonyRead More

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
As NBC Bay Area's Joe Rosato, Jr. perfectly observed in his August 20 television broadcast, "Petaluma wears …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
As a sign enthusiast, I was thrilled to discover a photograph of the iconic Chicken in the Bowl sign in the …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
For years, I walked past the Quick Clean sign at 214 Western Avenue in Petaluma almost daily. Something about …
The Quick Clean Sign: A Small Loss in Petaluma’s Commercial HistoryRead More

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
On June 28th at 10:30 a.m, I’ll return to the Sonoma County Library as a speaker for the first time since …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
I was delighted by the enthusiastic turnout for my presentation on the history of signs at the Petaluma Arts …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
In a striking display of contradiction, the Petaluma City Council recently proclaimed May as National Historic …

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
Despite its weathered condition, the easily overlooked Elm Court sign at 4547 Petaluma Boulevard North is one …
Elm Court Sign: A Hidden Treasure on Petaluma Boulevard NorthRead More

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
As many of my subscribers may know, I recently contributed to The Petaluma River: A Sketch Journal and Brief …
New Book About the Petaluma River and Tour Go Hand in HandRead More

// by Katherine J. Rinehart
While conducting research for a client on a residential property once owned by members of Petaluma's Hill and …
Belle Fairbanks: A Life of Resilience and ReinventionRead More