Incorporated in 1858, Petaluma rapidly became a thriving commercial and major transportation center. This carefully curated selection of vintage postcards illustrates Petaluma's identity and pride as it grew from a strategic port location provisioning San Francisco during the Gold Rush to an agricultural and manufacturing town in the late 1800s. After the turn of the 20th century, Petaluma focused on the poultry industry and proclaimed itself "The World's Egg Basket." The cast-iron storefronts and iconic buildings, such as the Carnegie Library, post office, and silk mill, are some of the impressive landmarks constructed during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Images of a busy waterfront with a bustling downtown surrounded by Victorian homes, beautiful churches, and public parks demonstrate the town's development and prosperity.