The benicia state capitol and the fischerhanlon house stand today in downtown benicia. They arrived in california at the founding of benicia in the 1840s. The park includes the fischerhanlon house, an early. Jerry bowen and sabine goerkeshrode alternate solano. Benicia, california images of america series by the.
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. For over 100 years, the arsenal was the primary us army ordnance facility for the west coast of the united states. Benicia by benicia historical museum arcadia publishing. Benicia city hall, 250 east l street benicia, ca 94510 phone. There are exhibits that showcase the military more. This house had once been part of a firedamaged, goldrushera hotel. His son, thomas benet, is a member of the benicia historical society and the benicia historical museum. The carr house, one of the few masonry buildings in benicia, was probably constructed in the 1870s. Brown and thomas mckay, alexander chisholm later becoming a member of the firm. Looking for homes with single story in benicia, ca. It has been restored with reconstructed period furnishings and serves as a nice little history lesson. 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 mansion was the execution of colby s ideas on proper house construction. This delightful visual voyage through time has been assembled largely from the fine photographic collection of the benicia historical museum by its knowledgeable staff. For more history, tap the benicia historical museum or benicia. The year 2017 marked an anniversary milestone for the history of arts benicia. Please help by adding your pictures of old benicia. May 01, 1992 i normally do not read much fiction and ive never read westerns, but this book was a gamechanger for me. William colby was born in benicia, california and was brought up by his aunt after being orphaned at the age of six.
Benicia capitol state historic park is a state park in benicia, california. 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. A special bay light falls on beautiful benicia, on the north shore of the carquinez strait. He is best known for his booklength narrative poem of the american civil war. Later, he became a wellknown poet, novelist and short story writer. Benicia boasts four museums where visitors can discover artifacts and hear stories about benicias colorful past. 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. Benicia solano county is full of the history that helped to build california, according to history buff larry lauber. It is said that first word of gold found at sutters mill was leaked at a benicia tavern thus.
He is best known for his booklength narrative poem of the american civil war, john browns body, for which he won a pulitzer prize. 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. 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. The benicia historical museum offers educational and group tours of the museum buildings and exhibits, housed in the 1850s original benicia arsenal buildings. 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. 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. Our goal is to enhance historic benicia through education, communication and community involvement.
He received his law degree from hastings college of the law in san francisco, and his legal practice specialized in forestry and mining issues. When the colby mansion was constructed around 1870 it was described as possibly the finest in the state outside montpelier. California historical landmarks in solano county, california. It was the home of the crooks family for several generations and has been changed very little over the years. Enter your travel dates to view the best deals on hotels in benicia. 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. The only obligation was for the city to agree to fund the library and find a. 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. The city has a rich military past, and boasts four museums where you can discover artifacts and hear stories about its history.
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. 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. 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. Charming home in historic benicia houses for rent in.
Benicia ca images of america benicia historical museum on. Historically, benicia had several boarding houses and hotels, but. A lovely garden is between the two a nice place to visit if you enjoy history. The city is located along the north bank of the carquinez strait. I live here in benicia and this is great place to see a interesting part of our heritage.
Feb 04, 2020 i live here in benicia and this is great place to see a interesting part of our heritage. The benicia capitol building is open thursdays from 10am 4pm, and friday sunday from 10am 5pm. Jefferson street mansion by wedgewood weddings wedding. Located next door to the benicia capitol state historic park is the fischerhanlon house. This website is an online, interactive database containing historical articles, photos, books, and other content relating to the history of solano county, ca. 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. In the 1850s and 1860s, the us army experimented using camels, imported from the mideast, as pack animals. Benicia, california images of america series by the benicia.
The camel barns complex, part of the benicia historical museum, derives its name from benicias contribution to u. Dec 01, 2004 a special bay light falls on beautiful benicia, on the north shore of the carquinez strait. 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. The museum has a rich collection of benicias history and culture. The museum occupies the famous sandstone camel barns, tied in fact and legend to a precivil war u. Search for other tea rooms in benicia on the real yellow pages.
Use the map to find hotels in the benicia neighborhood you prefer. Special programs included cultural collaborations with the benicia historical museum in drop by drop. Photo, print, drawing crooks house, 285 west g street, benicia, solano county, ca enlarge view 11 images in sequence. There were 375 citizens clustered around the railroad and industries. 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. B colby and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The gunpowder magazine building is only shown by appointment. The camel barns complex, part of the benicia historical museum, derives its name from benicia s contribution to u. In 1847 a 252acre parcel of land adjoining the benicia city limits on the east was acquired for a military reserve. It is the only presacramento capitol that survives.
Sep, 2016 benicia was briefly the capitol of california from 18531854. 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. William edward colby may 28, 1875 november 9, 1964 was an american lawyer. Much of the trim, including the barge boards, front door and interior woodwork, is more fanciful and is probably due to a somewhat. My grandsons love going there even though have gone more than once. California then was a land of opportunity, but often there was misfortune. Discover historic benicia about benicia main street. Historic context statement city of benicia california office of. Benicia capitol state historic park, 115 west g street, 707 7453385. 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. Cavalry experiment seeking an alternative to horsepower. The captain walsh house bed and breakfast inn benicia bed. 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.
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. 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 eastlakeinfluenced house, superbly sited on the carquinez stratts, was one of the most ambitious houses of benicia. Information about the rich history of benicia, california and a schedule of upcoming events. Colby wrote the introduction for muirs book, studies in the sierra.
The captain walsh house commands a distiguished place in california history. Benicia historical museum in benicia benicia historical. Travel, historical museum, historical monument, banquet room, community center payment types. 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. Historic benicia home built in 1899 hits market for first. A map of historic benicia california produced by the benicia historical museum at the camel barns. The wassmann home on east 2nd street in benicia has been owned by the same family since it was built in. The benicia arsenal was a large military reservation located next to suisun bay in benicia, california. 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. Rockvilles abernathie stone house gutted by fire and razed. Crooks house, 285 west g street, benicia, solano county, ca. Youll enjoy our beautiful waterfront location enhanced by a variety of specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, and a thriving marina.
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. The david rumsey map collection was started over 25 years ago and contains more than 150,000 maps. Located within the camel barns complex, the benicia historical museum was established in may 1985. 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. Because of her houses history, deane became interested in arts and crafts furniture. The solano hotel, built in 1851 on the nw corner of first and e streets is destroyed by fire. Crooks house, 285 west g street, benicia, solano county, ca contributor names. This archive has been set up to preserve these articles. These include later accounts of benicias history in books and newspaper. Modern architecture california benicia history 19th century architecture.
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. They built a house and kept a small farm on what is now east l st. 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. In the late 70s russ blanchard, a former city councilman, took on the task of having a book written about benicias early history. The museums main gallery features exhibits on benicias history with such topics as. Benicia was the site of californias third seat of government and served as the state capitol for months in 1853 and 1854. 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. It served as the state capital for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854.
Benicia is a waterside city in solano county, california, located in the north bay region of the. It is said that first word of gold found at sutters mill was leaked at a benicia tavern thus starting the gold rush. Benicias historical buildings benicia public library. State legislators made the town their third state capital in 1853. Browse property details and photos of these homes for sale realtor. The benicia historical museum is located at 2024 camel rd.
This list includes properties and districts listed on the california historical landmark listing in solano county, california. General vallejo asked that they name the city after his wife francisca benicia. The society works to preserve the history and heritage of our city for future generations. Discover historic benicia the city of benicia, the jewel of the bay area, invites you to visit our historic community, offering small, hometown charm. Benicia has been voted one of the best places to live in the country.
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