Skip to Main Content

Inventor of the Egg Incubator.

Mural - Egg Basket of the World

Field review by the editors.

Petaluma, California

Petaluma's historical "Eggbasket of the World" status is evident in a large wall mural across the street from the odd Wrist Wrestling Champ Monument. Artist Steve Della Maggiora created the mural in downtown Petaluma in 1998. It depicts the heritage of the area, starting with a Miwok Indian village, then the appearance of the White Man in the form of General Mariano Vallejo and his adobe estate. Then follows a steamship, blacksmith shop, and steam train. Then the White Man is overwhelmed by chickens. Then "the poultry industry gives way to the cows and the dairy industry" (sorry, no room to show the dairy industry giving way to strip malls and commuter hives).

Our photo is a detail of Steve's work, showing Petaluman Lyman Bryce, coinventor and promoter of the first practical egg incubator in 1875. [Full Mural]

In 2000, Steve augmented the Petaluma History Mural by painting a scene on a curbside signal box, adding an interesting three-dimensional effect. In the time he spent painting at the busy corner, with it's bus traffic, he developed a respiratory ailment, but completed the painting without succumbing.

Mural - Egg Basket of the World

Address:
E Washington St., Petaluma, CA
Directions:
Petaluma Boulevard North and Washington St.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Wrist Wrestling Capital and StatueWrist Wrestling Capital and Statue, Petaluma, CA - < 1 mi.
Reared In Steel: Giant SculpturesReared In Steel: Giant Sculptures, Petaluma, CA - < 1 mi.
Giant Wall Outlet and PlugGiant Wall Outlet and Plug, Petaluma, CA - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Elephant Rock, Dillon Beach, CA - 17 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in California

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

California Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Easter Island Moai in America (Mar 25-31, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings