*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 67--- STREETS, PARKS AND SEWERS. STREETS.-–The principal business streets of Petaluma are Main, Washington, English, Kentucky and B streets. Most of the streets and sidewalks are paved, and the main roads leading out of the town have been graded and macadamized at a heavy outlay of money, raised by special tax, which fell mostly on the people of the city. There are two plazas or public squares, each of which covers a block three hundred by three hundred feet in size. Both are well improved. PARKS.-–Agriculture Park, in the western part of the town, covers about twenty acres, and contains the race track and pavilion of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society. CITY GARDENS.–-A plot of ground has been laid off in the northern part of this city for a public garden. The plot, containing eight acres, has been properly prepared and laid out with a view to its future beauty and comfort as a pleasure garden. Over twelve hundred shade and ornamental trees of different varieties have been planted. SEWERAGE.-–The system of sewerage is almost perfect. Mains run the entire length of Washington, English, C and F streets, and empty into Petaluma creek. Thus all matter deposited in the creek, twice in every twenty-four hours is carried by the tide into San Pablo bay. The small sewers connect with the mains from nearly every street and alley in the city. WATER COMPANY. Dr. J. Walker, of I. X. L. Bitters notoriety, introduced the first water brought in pipes to the city of Petaluma. He sold his interest to John Cavanagh and George L. Bradley, and they subsequently sold to S. D. Towne and Major James Armstrong. The water was take from a large spring back of the town. On the 2d of April, 1868, Towne & Armstrong, in connection with the Hon. B. B. Munday, organized the Petaluma Water Company, and on the 16th of the same month it was incorporated. This company, after prolonged and serious difficulty, sold out to the Sonoma Water Company, which was incorpo- rated in 1871. The Sonoma Water Company now owns the works, and supply the town with water. There is an ample supply for domestic purposes. There are hydrants all at convenient fronts, which, with the supply of hose kept on hand, affords a great degree of safety in case of fire. The water is brought from Sonoma mountain. CEMETERY. The first cemetery in Petaluma was called Oak Hill Cemetery, and was the property of the city, and contained about eight acres. It is still used. The Cypress Hill Cemetery was laid off in 1872 by John A. McNear. It contains about forty acres, and is situated a quarter of a mile from the Peta- luma and Santa Rosa road, and about a mile from the business part of the city. It is a beautiful location for a cemetery. The drives and walks are macadamized and ornamental trees have been planted over most of the grounds. It is on a hill overlooking all the surrounding country. *** end ***