It is said that first word of gold found at sutters mill was leaked at a benicia tavern thus starting the gold rush. State legislators made the town their third state capital in 1853. A lovely garden is between the two a nice place to visit if you enjoy history. Historic context statement city of benicia california office of.
The bay area city of benicias rich history as a former state capitol, a busy seaport, the first army ordnance supply depot on the pacific coast and an inspiration for some of jack londons literary works is a treasure trove for history buffs and families wanting to learn more about national and california history. They built a house and kept a small farm on what is now east l st. California historical landmarks in solano county, california. Discover historic benicia the city of benicia, the jewel of the bay area, invites you to visit our historic community, offering small, hometown charm. The benicia state capitol and the fischerhanlon house stand today in downtown benicia. Much of the trim, including the barge boards, front door and interior woodwork, is more fanciful and is probably due to a somewhat. The solano hotel, built in 1851 on the nw corner of first and e streets is destroyed by fire. Our goal is to enhance historic benicia through education, communication and community involvement. A yearlong series of special programs provided opportunities for reflection on the past, assessment of the present, and visioning for the future of arts benicia. The collection focuses on rare 18th and 19th century maps of north and south america, although it also has maps of the world, asia, africa, europe, and oceania.
In 1847 a 252acre parcel of land adjoining the benicia city limits on the east was acquired for a military reserve. I normally do not read much fiction and ive never read westerns, but this book was a gamechanger for me. A special bay light falls on beautiful benicia, on the north shore of the carquinez strait. General vallejo asked that they name the city after his wife francisca benicia. The desks, three of which are originals from the benicia period or earlier, are furnished with a candlestick, a 19th century newspaper, a quill pen and a top hat. Benicias deep water harbor attracted pacific mail and steamship company, the first major california industry, the famous matthew turner shipyards, tanneries, and the central pacific railroad, which made benicia its transcontinental terminus. In the 1850s and 1860s, the us army experimented using camels, imported from the mideast, as pack animals.
Benicia arsneal post cemetery to get to this hidden jem you must travel down a residential street, then head through a chain link fence down a dirt and cement road. Crooks house, 285 west g street, benicia, solano county, ca. The benicia historical museum at the camel barns, the benicia capitol state historic park, the benicia fire museum and the fischerhanlon house part of the benicia capitol state. The wassmann home on east 2nd street in benicia has been owned by the same family since it was built in.
For more history, tap the benicia historical museum or benicia. Benicia historical museum in benicia benicia historical. Benicia by benicia historical museum arcadia publishing. The gunpowder magazine building is only shown by appointment. The mansion was the execution of colby s ideas on proper house construction.
Jefferson street mansion by wedgewood weddings wedding. The museum has a rich collection of benicias history and culture. The park includes the fischerhanlon house, an early. This archive has been set up to preserve these articles. Benicia capitol state historic park is a state park in benicia, california. Through a joint effort of the public and private sectors, benicia main street was created to preserve the heritage of historic downtown benicia, t o promote economic prosperity, and to restore the downtowns identity as the viable town center according to the national main street programs fourpoint approach to revitalization. This website is an online, interactive database containing historical articles, photos, books, and other content relating to the history of solano county, ca. Benicia solano county is full of the history that helped to build california, according to history buff larry lauber. The benicia historical museum at the camel barns, the benicia capitol state historic park, the benicia fire museum and the fischerhanlon house part of the benicia capitol state historic park. William colby was born in benicia, california and was brought up by his aunt after being orphaned at the age of six.
Ive lived in california for only a few years and the fact that this book was set in the mid1800s in the area near where i live drew me in. Located next door to the benicia capitol state historic park is the fischerhanlon house. The david rumsey map collection was started over 25 years ago and contains more than 150,000 maps. Lauber is one of the volunteers at the benicia historical museum, which houses thousands of items from the beginning of the earliest days of the state to the more modern age. He is best known for his booklength narrative poem of the american civil war, john browns body, for which he won a pulitzer prize. The benicia historical museum offers educational and group tours of the museum buildings and exhibits, housed in the 1850s original benicia arsenal buildings. The only obligation was for the city to agree to fund the library and find a. The wassmann home on east 2nd street in benicia has been owned by the same family since it was built in 1899 but for the first time in history, it is for sale. Carr house, 165 east d street, benicia, solano county, ca.
Looking for homes with single story in benicia, ca. Charming home in historic benicia houses for rent in. Information about the rich history of benicia, california and a schedule of upcoming events. This list includes properties and districts listed on the california historical landmark listing in solano county, california.
There were 375 citizens clustered around the railroad and industries. Historically, benicia had several boarding houses and hotels, but. The captain walsh house bed and breakfast inn benicia bed. Rockvilles abernathie stone house gutted by fire and razed. He received his law degree from hastings college of the law in san francisco, and his legal practice specialized in forestry and mining issues.
Special programs included cultural collaborations with the benicia historical museum in drop by drop. When the colby mansion was constructed around 1870 it was described as possibly the finest in the state outside montpelier. Dec 01, 2004 a special bay light falls on beautiful benicia, on the north shore of the carquinez strait. Benicia, california images of america series by the benicia. This house had once been part of a firedamaged, goldrushera hotel. Jerry bowen and sabine goerkeshrode alternate solano. Great expectations, written by historian richard dillon, was the result, and several of us supported the project by taking or copying photographs or helping out in other ways. Located within the camel barns complex, the benicia historical museum was established in may 1985. Modern architecture california benicia history 19th century architecture. Later, he became a wellknown poet, novelist and short story writer. His son, thomas benet, is a member of the benicia historical society and the benicia historical museum. Sep, 2016 benicia was briefly the capitol of california from 18531854. It is said that first word of gold found at sutters mill was leaked at a benicia tavern thus.
They arrived in california at the founding of benicia in the 1840s. Feb 04, 2020 i live here in benicia and this is great place to see a interesting part of our heritage. Great expectations, written by historian richard dillon, was the result, and several of us supported the project by. The purpose of the society is to bring together people interested in the history of benicia and california. This eastlakeinfluenced house, superbly sited on the carquinez stratts, was one of the most ambitious houses of benicia. It was the home of the crooks family for several generations and has been changed very little over the years. Benicia students, teachers work to bridge digital divide local college student running own house painting business adapts during covid19 city of benicia announces extension of closures through may 17, 2020 heritage church opens food bank barrel for donations benicia mask making group for health care workers reaches 50plus members. B colby and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Great location, climate, friendly 1st street shops, patriotic events, car shows, art, music festivals and a weekly thursday afternoon summer farmers market and occupational theater under the stars at the 1st st park, put on by the city, just bring a blanket and snacks.
For over 100 years, the arsenal was the primary us army ordnance facility for the west coast of the united states. The camel barns complex, part of the benicia historical museum, derives its name from benicias contribution to u. Enter your travel dates to view the best deals on hotels in benicia. Use the map to find hotels in the benicia neighborhood you prefer. Travel, historical museum, historical monument, banquet room, community center payment types. Photo, print, drawing crooks house, 285 west g street, benicia, solano county, ca enlarge view 11 images in sequence. May 01, 1992 i normally do not read much fiction and ive never read westerns, but this book was a gamechanger for me. Southampton contains primarily singlefamily housing developments and condominiums. Benicia city hall, 250 east l street benicia, ca 94510 phone.
The benicia historical museum is located at 2024 camel rd. Benicia, california images of america series by the. I live here in benicia and this is great place to see a interesting part of our heritage. The park is dedicated to californias third capitol building, where the california state legislature convened from february 3, 1853 to february 24, 1854, when they voted to move the state capital to sacramento. Browns tannery, opened by one of the original partners of the pioneer, and the shaw tannery were also prominently identified with the history of benicia s industries. William edward colby may 28, 1875 november 9, 1964 was an american lawyer. Benicia ca images of america benicia historical museum on.
Designed by the prominent architect, andrew jackson downing, the house was built in boston, dismantled, shipped round the horn and erected in benicia, in 1849 for the use of general m. There are exhibits that showcase the military more. The museum occupies the famous sandstone camel barns, tied in fact and legend to a precivil war u. Please help by adding your pictures of old benicia. Benicias historical buildings benicia public library. Benicia has been voted one of the best places to live in the country. Benicia boasts four museums where visitors can discover artifacts and hear stories about benicias colorful past. Benicia s deep water harbor attracted pacific mail and steamship company, the first major california industry, the famous matthew turner shipyards, tanneries, and the central pacific railroad, which made benicia its transcontinental terminus. The year 2017 marked an anniversary milestone for the history of arts benicia. The carr house, one of the few masonry buildings in benicia, was probably constructed in the 1870s. My grandsons love going there even though have gone more than once.
This delightful visual voyage through time has been assembled largely from the fine photographic collection of the benicia historical museum by its knowledgeable staff. This road is not pretty, it has a pipe line to one side, takes you under the freeway and the other side is a big dirt hill. It was designed and built by local waterbury industrialist george j. Browns tannery, opened by one of the original partners of the pioneer, and the shaw tannery were also prominently identified with the history of benicias industries. It is the only presacramento capitol that survives.
The society works to preserve the history and heritage of our city for future generations. California then was a land of opportunity, but often there was misfortune. Colby wrote the introduction for muirs book, studies in the sierra. The captain walsh house commands a distiguished place in california history. Brown and thomas mckay, alexander chisholm later becoming a member of the firm. Cavalry experiment seeking an alternative to horsepower. Use the filters to see hotels in a specific area of benicia, select a specific theme, brand, or hotel class from basic 1 star to luxury hotels 5 stars in benicia. Youll enjoy our beautiful waterfront location enhanced by a variety of specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, and a thriving marina. In addition to robinsons book about the new beniciamartinez bridge, he has written a book on the carquinez bridge and the alfred zampa memorial bridge, and was even lucky enough to have met and interviewed the legendary bridgebuilder, alfred zampa, in 1995. It has been restored with reconstructed period furnishings and serves as a nice little history lesson. The museums main gallery features exhibits on benicias history with such topics as. The camel barns complex, part of the benicia historical museum, derives its name from benicia s contribution to u.
One of californias first hotels, built at benicia in 1847 for major stephen cooper, and later known as the california house is destroyed by fire. The house was one of the last remaining buildings from the early history of benicia, when the town served as the capital of california from 1853 to 1854, and the brick appears identical to that used to build the state capitol there. Because of her houses history, deane became interested in arts and crafts furniture. Historic benicia home built in 1899 hits market for first.
He is best known for his booklength narrative poem of the american civil war. In about ten minutes, we tested out an old key, walked up the steep staircase, viewed the assembly room, and got a cool train stamp on our way out. Benicia is a waterside city in solano county, california, located in the north bay region of the. Search for other tea rooms in benicia on the real yellow pages. Benicia capitol state historic park, 115 west g street, 707 7453385.
1089 1148 352 1072 1323 1277 1192 1002 106 380 703 990 559 1401 1089 533 1002 110 1031 84 1238 1042 1598 1007 314 915 1157 1417 1160 397 484 550 1002 106 744 658 511 708 495 365 1031 271 327 385 1068