Special Edition-Sunset Line and Twine JPB Reporter--David Johnson photographer

If you missed the Petaluma Rotary meeting at the Sunset Line and Twine Mill, you missed a rare treat, a one-time chance to tour all over the building and hear about its amazing history. Here are some of the highlights and photos of this remarkable piece of Petaluma History. In 1892 the Carlson and Currier silk mill in San Francisco burnt down. Seizing the opportunity, our own Mr. McNear convinced them to relocate in Petaluma, offering land, banking, construction and labor recruitment, all for reasonable prices…! The architect was Charles Haven and the brick build was modeled after mills in England and New England. Some of the original equipment and all of the original wood and brick still remain. In 1892 was 20,000 sq. ft. in size.                                                                                                                    (original drawing of design) The 1906 earthquake only slightly damaged the tower roof. In 1909 the first fire sprinklers in the State were installed in the building. 1n 1912 the mill received the First Transcontinental Shipment made by a truck. The shipment was silk soap from Philadelphia. It took over 60 days to reach Petaluma. In 1922 the building was expanded to 40,000 sq. ft. and the architect this time was Brainerd Jones. Unfortunately he was not allowed an innovation. He had to blend the addition into the old style, which, as you can see, he did very well. At that time a huge steam engine ran the machines that spun and braided the cord and thread. It only required 3 women to keep a whole floor of machines tended. It required others to tend the boiler, repair the machines, wind the spools, pack and ship…big business in those days.   (the full size  and the miniature, hand crank version for demonstration) 1940 meant impending War and F.D.R. banned the import of silk to the US from Japan. Sadly, that put an end to the Carlson/Currier/Belding partnership and they were bought out by Sunset Line and Twine. During their tenure they made such important products as parachute cord for the Military and for the Gemini Space program. And they made a lot of fisherman happy as well. The building is now a National Historic Landmark. The Dept. of the Interior will have oversight of the improvements by the new owners. While most of the spinning and cording equipment has been sold to a mill in Colorado, much of it has been saved for display. These artifact displays will figure prominently around the 30 condos and townhouses planned for the site. Many thanks to the Petaluma Rotary Club for the opportunity to visit this wonderful building For more wonderful photos, please visit: http://209.204.172.137/rotary/070201_line_and_twine/