The Burdell Building was constructed in 1897 by the Burdell family. At the time of its construction, it had the longest continuous frontage of any building in Sonoma County and became a hub of the booming poultry and dairy industry, with the ability to keep eggs, milk, butter, and cheese fresh, freeze poultry, and produce five tons of ice per day for area businesses and homes. Over the years it housed the Burdell Creamery, the Petaluma Ice and Cold Storage Company, the Western Refrigerating Company, Western Dairy Products, Inc., and the Petaluma Gas & Electric Company, which provided electricity for Petaluma from 1897 to 1907. Today the building is occupied by many small businesses.