Solano County, California

1849 - Benicia Arsenal – 1964 1854 - Saint Paul's Episcopal Church - 1954 24 Pounder from the USS Independence A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) Antonio M. De LaGuerra 1825 – ‘81 Barcar Building Benicia Barracks Site Benicia Historic Tannery - Circa 1890 Beyond These Sentry Houses Birds Landing - Benjamin’s Store Built 1864 Burial Site of Chief Solano Camel Barns Carnegie Library Civil War - Unknown Dead Monument Clock Tower Commandant's Home Commodore Jones Point Cordelia Cordelia and the Fire Cordelia Begins Cordelia: A Thriving Town Craven-Voss House D.C. Madam's House Dedicated to the Memory of Pony Express Riders Empress Theater First Catholic Church First Masonic Hall Built in California First U.S. Naval Station In The Pacific First Wireless Station Fischer-Hanlon House Founders of Benicia Fourth Marine Division Memorial Gen. Quandt Lane German Marder and Torpedo Gillespie’s Store H.B.M. Centurian Anchor Halfway House Humphrey the Humpback Whale Hunter Memorial Promenade In Memory of the Port Chicago 50 - Vallejo, August 1944 Jack London Mansion Gallery Merritt House c. 1869 Nut Tree Old State Capitol Old Town Hall Peña Adobe Park Peregrine Landing Ark & Stables Pioneer Monument Pony Express Ferry “Carquinez” Pony Express River Steamer “New World” Power & Fleming Grocers Rancho Los Putos Red Men's Hall Rio Vista Waterfront Warehouses Robert Semple Rockville Station Rockville Stone Chapel Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Saint Paul's Episcopal Church Sentry Houses, A272 and A279 Site of Benicia Seminary Site of First Business Building of Record Site of the First Protestant Church in California Solano Hotel St. Peter's Chapel St. Vincent Ferrer Church Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet Suisun City The Alibi Clock The Andrew Carnegie Public Library The Bohn Building The Elsa Widenmann Home "The Hospital" The Hump The Methodist Church of Dixon The Odd Fellows Hall The Valley Thompson's Corner Saloon - 1902 Travis Air Force Base Triangle Building Turner / Robertson Shipyard Uncle Burt's Tree Unknown Pioneer Ranchers USS Hartford 10 Inch Dahlgren Smooth Bore Cannon Vallejo As State Capital Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum Veterans of Foreign Wars Vezér Family Vineyard Village of Cordelia Historic District Village of Silveyville Walker Opera House Widenmann-Plutchok Home William Gordon Huff Wolfskill Grant World War I Memorial
Solano County, located in Northern California, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Patwin tribe, who were skilled hunter-gatherers and practiced a variety of agricultural techniques. The Spanish exploration of California in the late 18th century brought significant changes to the region.

In 1823, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was granted large tracts of land in present-day Solano County by the Spanish government. He established the Pueblo of Sonoma and the Mission San Francisco Solano, which marked the northernmost outpost of Spain's colonization efforts.

The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought a wave of settlers to the region. The discovery of gold in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains led to a population boom and the rapid development of towns and transportation routes, including the construction of the California Pacific Railroad. The influx of people also sparked conflicts between the settlers and the Native American tribes, leading to the displacement and marginalization of the indigenous population.

Solano County was officially established in 1850, becoming one of California's original 27 counties. Its county seat, Fairfield, was named after Fairfield, Connecticut. The county's economy diversified, with agriculture taking center stage. Fertile soil and a Mediterranean climate made it ideal for growing crops like fruits, vegetables, and grains. The establishment of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1854 also brought employment opportunities and boosted the local economy.

Today, Solano County is a thriving region with a diverse population and a strong agricultural sector. It is known for its central location between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, as well as its beautiful natural landscapes and historical landmarks.
Brief timeline of the history of Solano County, California:

  • 1823: Francisco Solano is born in San Jose de Guadalupe
  • 1835: Francisco Solano becomes a Mexican Army officer
  • 1843: Francisco Solano settles in Sonoma
  • 1846: Bear Flag Revolt takes place in Sonoma
  • 1847: California is seized by American forces
  • 1850: Solano County is established and named after Francisco Solano
  • 1851: The city of Benicia becomes the county seat
  • 1868: The county seat is moved from Benicia to Fairfield
  • 1968: The county's boundaries are adjusted to their current configuration
  • Present: Solano County is home to over 440,000 residents

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Solano County, California.

Audiobooks about the history of California.