Petaluma is honoring the memory of Henry Chenault by renaming a section of downtown street after him.
The cobblestoned area where Water Street meets Western Avenue at Petaluma Boulevard North will be designated “Chenault Way.” Chenault, a Black man, came to Petaluma in 1933 after serving in the US Army and enduring a wrongful conviction stemming from the Houston Riot. He ran a shoeshine stand for decades, becoming a beloved figure known for his thoughtful conversations and community spirit.
The renaming coincides with Black History Month and marks the first recognition in a new city program honoring significant community members. The “Chenault Way” sign will be installed at a later date.
