Foundry Wharf Properties, 625 Second Street, Ste. 201, Petaluma, CA 94952 Tel: 707-762-5999 Fax: 707-762-5985

Home Space Available Environment Floor Plans History Location Contact Us "EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It" "Big factory will be secured by this city."  May 25, 1907 Petaluma Argus The people of this city, through the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, now have an opportunity to secure the location here of the Corliss Gas Engine Works, now located in San Francisco. All that is necessary to secure the people of Petaluma to secure this important enterprise is to supply a site for the factory and the amount necessary to move the companies machinery here from San Francisco. The city will supply the land required by the company. The land is located along the river. "Machinery is Arriving"  January 2, 1908 Petaluma Argus The buildings erected down the street on the river frontage at First and H street for the Corliss Gas Engine Company have been practically completed and are now ready. The members of the company are greatly pleased with their new location and see nothing but success for their enterprise in the future. "Building Motor Truck Here"  January 1, 1911 Petaluma Argus At the Corliss Gas Engine Works in this city, a large motor truck is being built to order for a big firm in San Francisco and will be the first motor truck ever built in California, north of the bay. The same busy institution is at work also turning out an electric hoist for the schooner John Nagel which hails from San Francisco and plies on the river. It also recently turned out a new tugboat for Capt. Kirby of the schooner Eilen Gunderson and on her first trip she towed the laden craft from the wharf in San Francisco to the dock in this city in less then seven hours, which is going some. This shows what Corliss company can do. The people do not realize the importance of this splendid institution. It ought to be the largest factory in Petaluma and it will be, too, some day. "Corliss Gas Engine Plant to be Greatly Enlarged"  May 22, 1911, Argus There is the best news for the people of this city and it will be received with great rejoicing. "You can say for me," said Mr. Cleve when seen by the Argus man on Monday "that we will now make good, yes more then make good every promise made to the people of Petaluma." "Ten Families Seeking Homes"  July 7, 1911, Argus Ten new families which are to move to this city at once must find ten homes. This is no fairy tale but the actual truth as can be attested by any person taking the trouble to call on the Corliss gas engine works. Some time ago the Argus published in full the fact of the enlargement of the Corliss gas engine company and the further fact that many additional hands are to be employed. They want houses of from four to six rooms each and the rent to range from $12 to $15 per month. "Kresky Co. Buys Former Corliss Building To Care For Increased Business"  June 6, 1945, Argus With a rapid expansion of its larger building facilities, the Kresky Manufacturing Company has purchased the former Corliss gas engine plant building and waterfront property at Second and H streets. The company will take procession of the building as soon as the Petaluma Shipbuilding company vacates the premises. The building with 21,000 square feet of floor area was erected 35 years ago for the Corliss company. The shipbuilding company has been occupying it for the last several years. A. J. Matot Vice President and General Manager of the Kresky company said the company was attracted to the purchase of the property because of the waterfront facilities. Forty-five years later... "Foundry Wharf Business Park receives Award of Great Merit for Historic Preservation"  Jan 1990, Western Metal in Architecture Petaluma, California's historical society, Heritage Homes of Petaluma has presented Foundry Wharf Business Park with its Award of Great Merit for Historic Preservation. It has also been selected for the cover photo for the upcoming Petaluma phone directory. Before rehab the site included a cluster of riverfront warehouses and manufacturing plants. San Francisco developer and former mortgage banker Walter Haake. "Foundry Wharf is an interesting historical part of Petaluma." says Haake. Nearly all of the buildings are sheathed in corrugated metal panels. A less discerning developer could easily have pulled the plug on this important part of Petaluma's engaging past. "Metal-in-History comes alive for Go-Ahead Businesses and Professionals"  August 1993, Western Metal in Architecture Cattle grazing; boats passing by on the rivers; picnics on a grassy lawn under shade trees. Sounds like a farm or vacation spot, right? On the contrary, this is the Foundry Wharf Business Park in Petaluma, California. A pastoral setting for local and national businesses and professionals. In the 1880s Foundry Wharf was a small iron foundry and blacksmiths shop, a harbor for the invention of the incubator that revolutionized the poultry industry. In the 1940s it was converted into a large production facility for wood stoves by Kresky Co. In later years, three more buildings surrounded the original structure. railroad loading docks and boathouses were added to help the Petaluma River become the second highest trafficked river in the state. High-Tech Renovation Recently, the original buildings were renovated and one new building added to create a state-of-the-art three acre mixed use complex edging the river. The historic/high-tech renovation began in 1987 as the vision of local businessman and developer Walter Haake. Haake has successfully brought revenue to the Sonoma County area, upgraded the river front and linked it with downtown Petaluma, while providing an enjoyable work environment. These buildings have long been a setting for revolutionary invention. Now the tradition continues in 1992 as Foundry Wharf becomes a mecca for professions, entrepreneurs, sole practitioners and local branches of national companies in many fields 2004... "Near Foundry Wharf..." One of our staff, looking at home rentals, was surprised to find an ad describing a home as "near Foundry Wharf." That classified ad shows the end result of the 1907 city elders vision for what is one of Petaluma's most productive and beautiful areas. Foundry Wharf, its water taxi, its grounds, and its surroundings are pleased to continue serving Petaluma. For more about Petaluma's history and Petaluma today visit www.visitpetaluma.com Special thanks to the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce for help with this page. Foundry Wharf Today

Foundry Wharf Properties, 625 Second Street, Ste. 201, Petaluma, CA 94952 Tel: 707-762-5999 Fax: 707-762-5985