State Farm's Final Day: Rohnert Park Offices Shut Down

Just one State Farm employee remained at the insurance giant's offices in Rohnert Park Friday, gearing up for his move to Bakersfield. .

Other than that, it was all men dressed in pale blue uniforms, jeans and T-shirts — cleaning crews and movers who walked the vast empty corridors that separated break rooms from a company credit union, underwriting offices from long-vacant conference rooms. 

One wheeled a cart into a warehouse, picking up office supplies. Others crammed pizza boxes into already full trash bins. Even the screech of rusted wheels was loud. Signs of employees who have since left the once-huge Sonoma County employer remained: "Will underwrite for food," or "wish list — a job."

Boxes of crumpled up papers littered the empty hallways. Stretches of cubicles that once buzzed with the stir of commerce now house upside down chairs and switched off old computers. Boxes of half-eaten candy and old photos, some more than 20 years old, spilled onto conference tables.

A posterboard also boasted homes for sale, both here and in Bakersfield, aimed at getting the employees' attention.

One said, "Hi I'm Jane Arabe, an underwriting Service Assistant in personal lines fire in Bakersfield. I accepted the relocation package offered by State Farm when the Costa Mesa Regional Office closed ... my husband and I are empty nesters in our four bedroom house. We are very willing and able to take roomers to those employees who have decided to relocate..."

Employees also used the billboard to advertise new rentals on the market. One offered up their M Section house for rent, another in G Section.

Saturday, the until someone else purchases the building, and the one remaining employee will be gone. 

Lonny Haskins, a spokesperson for the company, said the last employee who chose the move to Bakersfield will be finished by Aug. 8.

on who's buying the 33-acre campus, but stay tuned to Rohnert Park Patch, we'll keep you updated. Haskins said State Farm will still maintain the sprawling lawn. Be sure to click on the photo story to the right to view photos of State Farm's last day.