August 06, 2014

finding designs in old Petaluma, California


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Roughly 20 miles north of where I live is Petaluma, known to its original inhabitants, the Miwok Indians, as Péta Lúuma; which means hill backside and probably refers to Petaluma's proximity to Sonoma Mountain.

It is no longer true, but Petaluma still proclaims itself as "the Nation's egg-basket", although large factory-style egg production facilities west of town have generally replaced hundreds of old-style chicken coops on farms once operated by private individuals and collectives. In more recent times Petaluma has tried to define itself as "small-town U.S.A.", which is less true now than in the past, especially on the east side of Highway One-Oh-One.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

While demand is not what it used to be, the cows and chickens of Petaluma and surrounding areas still depend on two large grain milling facilities.
This photo (above) is part of the side of a massive 50 silo grain storage unit operated by Hunt & Behrens Feed Mill. Nearby is another large grain mill--Dairymen's Feed & Supply Co-op.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Early last Saturday and again on Sunday I had great fun spooking around railroad tracks and looking up at the aging but artful grain conveyor systems. Great fun for a photographer… Photo-ops galore.


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2 comments:

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Did not know the meaning behind 'petaluma'. Learned something so early today. Now I can take the rest of the day off.

AphotoAday said...

Great, John (Sinbad's Dad) -- I've got to go look at some photographs on display (see tomorrow's blog) but I've got my 6 hours of photographing in, plus I did laundry, and I've got some house cleaning to do, but after that I'm going to take the rest of the day off too.

 
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