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Benicia -
California State Historical
Landmarks
- Solano County
Benicia, California - You need only
look at the list of historic landmarks to see Benicia in Solano County is an
incredible place recognized as the first city in California, in addition to many
"firsts". For a glimpse into the old-time charm, be sure to visit Benicia on a
Northern California - San Francisco Bay area journey.
NO. 153 BENICIA CAPITOL - Erected in 1852, ostensibly as Benicia's City Hall,
this historic building was one of the four locations of the 'Capitol on Wheels,'
from February 4, 1853 to February 25, 1854. It was deeded to the State in 1951.
Location: NW corner of 1st and G Sts, Benicia
NO. 174 FIRST BUILDING ERECTED IN CALIFORNIA BY MASONIC LODGE FOR USE AS A HALL
- The first Masonic hall built in California was begun in the summer of 1850,
occupied by the lodge October 14, 1850, and formally dedicated December 27,
1850. This building served as the Masonic Temple for Benicia Lodge No. 5 until
1888, when the new temple was occupied. Used by a boys' club prior to World War
I and by the American Legion shortly after the war, it was reacquired by Benicia
Lodge No. 5 in 1950.
Location: 110 W J St, Benicia
NO. 175 SITE OF FIRST PROTESTANT CHURCH - On April 15, 1849, the Reverend
Sylvester Woodbridge, Jr., organized the first Presbyterian Church of Benicia,
the first Protestant church established in California with an ordained resident
pastor. The church was disbanded in 1875.
Location: Benicia City Park, K St between 1st and 2nd Sts, Benicia
NO. 176 BENICIA ARSENAL - Captain Charles P. Stone, with 21 enlisted men,
established Benicia Arsenal as an ordnance depot in August 1851. The first
building, a small wooden powder magazine, was erected in September 1851. Between
1853 and 1863, Congress authorized $550,000 to be spent on the establishment,
and some 15 stone and frame buildings were constructed. The arsenal was first
called 'California Ordnance Depot,' then 'Benicia Arsenal Depot,' and finally,
in the spring of 1852, 'Benicia Arsenal.' It played an important role in crises
such as the Indian wars. Some of its original buildings are in use today.
Descendants of the men who established Benicia Arsenal are still living in
Benicia and other parts of California.
Location: Main gate of port area, intersection of Adams and Jefferson Sts,
Benicia
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: NPS-76000534
NO. 177 SITE OF FORMER BENICIA BARRACKS - Benicia Barracks, established on April
30, 1849 and organized by Brevet Lt. Col. Silas Casey, 2nd U.S. Infantry, was
the U.S. Army headquarters for the Department of the Pacific from 1851-1857.
Also known as the 'Post near Benicia,' it remained a garrison installation until
1898. The post hospital, built in 1856, is the only remaining structure
associated with the original Barracks. The Barracks became part of the Benicia
Arsenal, which closed in 1964.
Location: Francesca Terrace Park, across from the Benicia National Guard Armory,
711 Hillcrest Ave, Benicia
NO. 534 VACA-PEÑA ADOBE - This is the site of the 10-square-league Rancho Los
Putos that Governor Pío Pico granted to Juan Felipe Peña and Manuel Cabeza Vaca
in 1845. The Peña Adobe, erected here in 1843, is still owned by the descendants
of their families (1955). The nearby town of Vacaville was established in 1851
on land that Vaca sold to William McDaniel.
Location: Take Pena Adobe Rd interchange on I-80, go NE 0.5 mi on Pena Adobe Rd
to Pena Adobe Park, Vacaville
NO. 574 SITE OF STATE CAPITOL AT VALLEJO - Vallejo was the official seat of
State government from February 4, 1851 to February 4, 1853.
Location: Located in NW corner of city parking lot, 200 block of York St,
between Sacramento and Santa Clara Sts,
NO. 751 FIRST U.S. NAVAL STATION IN THE PACIFIC - Mare Island Navy Yard was
established September 16, 1854 by Commander David G. Farragut, U.S.N., on a site
selected in 1852 by a commission headed by Commodore John D. Sloat, U.S.N. Mare
Island had the Navy's first shipyard, ammunition depot, hospital, Marine
barracks, cemetery, chapel, and radio station in the Pacific.
Location: Entrance to Mare island Naval Shipyard, main gate, SW corner of
Tennessee St and Mare Island Way, Vallejo
NO. 779 ROCKVILLE STONE CHAPEL - The cornerstone of this chapel, erected by
pioneers of Methodist Episcopal Church South with volunteer labor and donated
funds, was laid October 3, 1856 on a site supplied by Landy and Sarah Alford,
and the chapel was dedicated February 1857. By 1929, the chapel had deteriorated
and the church deeded it to Rockville Public Cemetery District as a pioneer
monument. It was restored in 1940.
Location: Rockville Cemetery, Suisun Valley Rd, 0.2 mi N of Rockville
USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: FAIRFIELD
NO. 795 BENICIA SEMINARY - Founded in 1852 as the Young Ladies' Seminary of
Benicia, Mills College was acquired from Mary Atkins by Cyrus and Susan Mills in
1865 and moved to its present site in Oakland in 1871. It was chartered as a
college by the State of California in 1885.
Location: City park, Military W St between 1st and 2nd Sts, Benicia
NO. 862 SAINT PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Designed in 1859 by Lt. Julian
McAllister and built by shipwrights of the Pacific Mail and Steamship Company,
St. Paul's is an outstanding example of early California Gothic ecclesiastical
architecture. Notable for its fine craftsmanship, this building has continuously
served the Episcopal Church since its consecration by the Rt. Rev. William
Ingraham Kip in 1860.
Location: 120 E J St at 1st St, Benicia
USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: CHESTER 15
NO. 880 FISCHER-HANLON HOUSE - In 1849, Joseph Fisher, a Swiss immigrant, came
to Benicia. After joining a butcher partnership, Fischer purchased this lot on
July 1, 1858 and moved the house, reputed to be an old hotel, onto it. The
building, an outstanding example of East Coast Federalist styling, illustrates
architectural diffusion during the Gold Rush.
Location: 135 W G St, Benicia
USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: Benicia
NO. 973 TURNER/ROBERTSON SHIPYARD, 1883-1918 - In 1882, Matthew Turner of San
Francisco relocated his shipyard to Benicia. Turner, the most prodigious
shipbuilder in North America, constructed 228 vessels, 169 of which were
launched here. In 1913, the shipyard was purchased by James Robertson, who
operated it until 1918. The yard sways, and the Whaler Stamboul, used as a
shipyard work platform, are visible at low tide.
Location: Matthew Turner Shipyard Park, foot of W 12th St off of W K St, Benicia
USGS Quadrangle Sheet Name: BENICIA
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