1954 Map of Petaluma River

About this map

The Petaluma River serves as the dominant artery through this landscape, winding south through a complex system of marshes and sloughs including Schultz Slough, Donahue Slough, and Black John Slough. In the mid-1950s, the Northwestern Pacific railroad tracks parallel the river's western bank, linking the urban center of Petaluma with Novato across the Sonoma and Marin county line. The terrain is defined by dramatic shifts from the tidal flats of Neils Island and Hog Island to the rising elevations of Burdell Mtn. Evidence of local industry and infrastructure is present in the numerous Rock Quarries, Sandpits, and the Marin County Airport. Local institutions like the Lakeville Sch and the Fairgrounds anchor the community, while Radio Towers KCBS stand as landmarks near the river's lower reaches.