News

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Belinda Smith, President of the Society, gave a presentation at the Benicia State Capitol on March 23, 2025 which focused on the history of laws governing property rights of married women. Many eastern states had laws copying English Common Law which did not allow married women to own property separate from their husbands. However, California under Mexican rule had in place laws similar to Spain and France, which did allow married women to own property. At the state constitutional convention in October, 1949, the majority of California legislators supported the constitutional right for women to own property not only to avoid the chaos of women losing a right they currently held, but also to attract more women to a new state where the ratio of men to women (not counting native peoples) was more than 13:1. In May, 1853, a related key constitutional amendment was passed in the Benicia Capitol. The amendment gave married women additional property ownership rights, including ownership of rental income and freedom from liability for their husbands’ debts.

Local historian, author, and Society member, H. Allan Gandy, spoke to a standing room only crowd in the Dona Benicia Room of the Benicia Library on Feb. 15. The attendees were eager to learn about the subject of the author’s latest book entitled Captain Matthew Turner: World-Class Shipbuilder. The author gave an overview of Turner’s long, remarkable career as our nation’s most prolific builder of sailing ships. When Turner had to close his shipyard in San Francisco, he chose to rebuild in the W 12th Street area of Benicia, where he built 184 ships between 1883 and 1904. Turner designed and sailed many different types of ships, including schooners, barkentines, steamers, and brigantines to suit the various types of cargo such as passengers, mail, California lumber, Tahitian fresh fruit, Hawaiian sugar, and Northern Pacific cod. His designs were often innovative and set speed records. He was also a founding member of the San Francisco Yacht Club and designed and built many successful racing yachts. After his business partner and dear friend Richard Rundle died, Turner married his widow Ashbeline. They were married for 28 years and he became a devoted family man to the two daughters and, later, a granddaughter. Thank you to the Benicia Public Library for collaborating with the Society on this fantastic event!

In cooperation with the Benicia Capitol State Historical Park, we hosted a free event for the community last Sunday. We had an impressive turnout of approximately 30 attendees, including some social media representatives from the Chamber of Commerce who captured video footage that we hope to share with you soon. We are most grateful to Senior Park Aide, Reese Brooks, for his theatrical, entertaining, and well-researched presentation. We hope to have more talks hosted by Reese in the future. 

On December 9, 2024 a merry and festive time was had by all who attended the Society's annual Holiday and General Membership Party. There were 30-35 who came to celebrate the season and participate in the Annual Membership Meeting. The food and beverages were delicious and plentiful. Several of our 2025 calendars were sold. Belinda Smith, the Benicia Historical Society President, presided over the announcements, approval of new bylaws, and voting in of the next board. Welcome to our new Board Member Rebecca Sullivan and thank you to Leann Taagepera for all the research and knowledge of Historic Preservation information you shared as a Board Member. The evening ended with our annual Benicia History Quiz created by our amazing Historian, Jerry Hayes. Thank you, Jerry, for another annual challenging, fun and informative quiz.

On Friday, October 18th, the Benicia Historical Society and the Benicia Capitol Speakers Toastmasters Ghost Walk hosted a ghost walk on First St. that was a smashing success! We sold out all 50 tickets! The event started at the Historic Train Depot at the end of First St. The first group was led by Toastmaster Frank Borges and the second group was led by Toastmaster Jeff Wood. The first stop was with the ghost of Jack London where Toastmaster Larry J. Miller told different stories about Jack London. The next stop was the Sailor Jack’s (now Captain Blyther's) restaurant where Toastmaster Saeed Hamzavi told everyone about the ghosts of the restaurant. The next stop was the Union Hotel where Toastmaster Jay Ligda told everyone about a love story/ghost story. The next stop was the Fischer-Hanlon House where Toastmaster Stacey Duckett talked about the many ghost stories of the house. The last stop was The Company of Wolves café (where Computer 1 and the State Farm Insurance company are now). Toastmasters Pat Purvis and Alison Harris-Abbott told the story of a ghost that is still hanging around because he was shot in the back there. Everyone had a great time and we had a lot of great feedback!

On Sunday Oct 6th the Benicia Historical Society hosted a wonderful talk at the State Capitol Building. Dr. Kerry Carney presented a very informative presentation about why our Benicia Capitol Building is such a “big deal!" She spoke about the history of each of the buildings were State Capitols, before the final location of our current Capitol in Sacramento. There were buildings in Monterey, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Vallejo, Benicia and Sacramento that were used as Legislative State Capitols starting from 1774. The reason our beautiful building here in Benicia is a big deal is that along with the current Capitol Building that was completed in 1869, this is the only remaining structure. All the other buildings were either burnt or demolished. Many are represented with plaques but no physical buildings. So yes, we are a big deal and it is so significant to continue to preserve Benicia’s important history.

In July, the Society engaged the Phil Joy Housemoving and Leveling Company to move our Southern Pacific (S.P.) caboose to their storage yard on Goodyear Road. Restoration will include pressure washing and exterior painting in original S.P. colors. Phil Joy has generously provided his services for the initial move, pressure washing, and paint supplies gratis, but fundraising will be necessary to cover the costs of painting, site preparation, and the final move. It is the Society's intention to place the restored caboose on a section of track adjacent to the S.P. Depot. Former Planning Director, John Bunch, is providing liaison support. Anyone interested in supporting or donating to this project is encouraged to get in touch with the Society.

On August 24th, the Society held a bottle digging display and discussion event lead by local bottle digger Tom Quinn. BHS Board Member, Terence Bennett, and his wife, Brenda Crabtree, hosted the event in the lovely backyard of their historic home where Tom had done a privy dig last year. Tom has been exploring privies and digging for bottles in Benicia's historic backyards for 46 years. Tom displayed and shared stories about bottles  and other artifacts from the period of 1847 to about 1880. He researches where the bottles were made, what they contained, and how they might have made their way to Benicia. The Society looks forward to hosting more events like this for members.

Twenty five members of the Society traveled by Amtrak to the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento on July 20th. We were welcomed warmly as delegates from Benicia to learn about the new exhibit and model of the Solano Train Ferry. We were treated to a free, private museum tour and a short lecture on the history of railroading in the western U.S. Benicia played a key role in that history as the Solano Train Ferry home port. The ferry was the largest train ferry in the world and ran for fifty years. Members enjoyed lunch together afterward. A huge thank you to the Museum staff!