The Petaluma Signs Project · Katherine J. Rinehart

Founded in 2025, The Petaluma Signs Project is an official program of the Petalumans of Yesteryear and is dedicated to preserving historic signs that enrich our city’s unique identity through partnerships with community organizations, individuals, and local businesses. From faded ghost signs to neon classics, we educate, advocate, and act to protect these irreplaceable pieces of Petaluma’s past, which serve as cultural touchstones connecting generations.

Lew Barber’s original artwork for Pinky’s Pizza, 1962. Credit: Paul Barber Collection
Owners of Pinky’s Pizza, Joe Kreger and Ken Jones, 2020. Credit: Crissy Pascual/Petaluma Argus Courier
Ghirardelli Cocoa ghost sign on former livery stable at Steamer Park Landing, 2010. Credit: KJR
Fading Ghirardelli Cocoa ghost sign on former livery stable at Steamer Park Landing, 2025: Credit: Bob Caruso
The Lasher Hatchery and Three Cooks Café at 839-841 Petaluma Blvd. North, 2025. Credit: KJR
Circa 1954 view of the Lasher Hatchery and the 3 Cooks Café before it had expanded into the neighboring tire store. Credit: Sonoma County Library
The Buckhorn Taverns at 615 Petaluma Blvd. South, 2025. Established in 1938 by Merv McCoy, the Buckhorn is one of Petaluma’s oldest taverns. It is currently operated by his son, Bob, and grandson Wes, who own and operate the bar. Credit: KJR
The Buckhorn’s neon sign was created by Warren Barber of the Barber Sign Company in 1964. It was restored in 2020. Those involved were Blue Flame Neon, Signs of All Kinds and Shaw Signs. Credit: Bob Caruso
The LanMart building, featuring a repurposed sign at 18 Kentucky Street, 2025. Before it was the LanMart, the sign advertised Tommy’s Food Market, and before that, Ascherman’s Market. Credit: KJR
Petaluma’s Choice Coca-Cola wall sign is located on the south wall of the Mutual Relief Building (27 Western Avenue). Lew Barber painted it in 1942, and in 1977, the sign was designated an official local city landmark. Credit: Bob Caruso
Petaluma's Choice Coca-Cola wall sign be repainted in 1977. Credit: Petaluma Museum
Circa 1923 photo of the Poehlmann Hatchery at 15 Kent Street, Petaluma. Credit: Sonoma County Library
Poehlmann Hatchery sign at 15 Kent Street being repainted in April 2026. Photo by Stephanie McAllister
Updated Poehlmann Hatchery sign at 15 Kent Street, April 2026. Credit: KJR
Artwork created by Lew Barber in 1960 for the Hide Away located at 128 Kentucky Street. Credit: Collection of Carol Barber Cook, Petaluma Museum.
March 2025 view of the Hide Away sign. Credit: KJR

First Campaign

The Project’s first campaign successfully restored Petaluma’s oldest and perhaps most iconic neon sign, located at the former Poehlmann Hatchery. After reaching its fundraising goal, the sign was taken down in April, restored, and returned in June 2026. More than 150 people gathered on June 14 for a lighting ceremony celebrating the culmination of this months-long, community-driven effort — made possible by donations, volunteers, local businesses, service clubs, skilled craftsmen, and historians.

Major partners included SF Neon, which advocates for preserving historic neon signs through tours, talks, events, consultation, and design; and Petalumans of Yesteryear, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing Petaluma’s history through unique experiences like walking and river paddle tours and murder mystery tours.

The restoration was led by FastSigns of American Canyon/Vallejo, owned by Walt and Karen Perlic, with hands-on work by employees Mark Barber, Erik Hernandez, and Mike Knief. In a fitting touch, Paul Barber came out of retirement to work alongside his brother Mark — together, the two bring more than 50 years of sign-making experience. Paul handled the painting, while Randall Ann Homan of SF Neon created the patterns that Blue Flame Neon used for the neon tube bending.

A crowd gathered beneath the north side of the restored neon Baby Chicks sign at 620 Petaluma Blvd. North on June 14, 2026. Credit: Cindy Caruso

Part of the restoration team standing behind the sign with its north side visible at the Vallejo FastSigns shop on April 17, 2026. Left to right: Mark Barber, Mamie Strong, Randall Ann Homan, me, Al Barna, and Paul Barber. Look closely, and you can just make out the words Baby Chicks underneath the word restaurant. Credit: Amanda Bartlett, SF Gate

Baby Chicks Neon Sign as it appeared in 1942. Credit: Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration, Russell Lee

How to Show Your Support

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the Petalumans of Yesteryear on behalf of the Petaluma Signs Project. Funds will be used for future vintage sign-related advocacy, education, documentation, and restoration.

Donate Now

Shop: Chick merchandise is available at Chick City Goods, 117 Kentucky Street (pins are sold out), and online at SF Neon. Pick up the Petaluma Vintage Signs Guidebook at the Petaluma Visitors Center (210 Lakeville Street) or the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum (20 Fourth Street). 100% of sales support the Petaluma Signs Project and will be put toward future vintage sign-related advocacy, education, and documentation.

Petaluma Vintage Signs Guidebook. $10.
Available at Chick City Goods, 117 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth Street, Petaluma, Petaluma Visitor’s Center and online at San Francisco Neon

Bandana: $20.
All proceeds support the restoration
Available at Chick City Goods, 117 Kentucky Street, Petaluma,Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth Street, Petaluma and online at San Francisco Neon