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Haystack Landing for kids

The Egg Train to the Boats. The true story of Haystack Landing, near Petaluma, CA, told for kids.

Watercolor illustration for The Egg Train to the Boats
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Read along

Toot toot! Long ago, right near here, a little railroad had a very special job. It carried eggs! And baby chicks, and grain too. The train rolled to a dock on the river.

From there, trade traveled along the Petaluma River toward San Francisco Bay. Picture lots of peeps and cluck-clucks, all heading toward the big city! This little railroad started running on August first, 1864. It was only the third railroad in all of California. That is a very early train.

Now look out the window. Can you spot the river? Can you see where an old dock might have been? Make your best chick sound. Peep peep!

Quiz the back seat

What did the little railroad carry to the boats?

Show the answer

Eggs and chicks. Eggs and chicks! It also carried grain, which is food for farm animals.

3 fun facts

  • The Petaluma and Haystack Railroad began service on August 1, 1864.
  • It was only the third railroad in California.
  • Eggs, chicks, and grain were the most commonly traded goods.

For grown-ups

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Sources

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Town and county names: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).

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