A transcontinental railroad or transcontinental railway is contiguous railroad trackage, that crosses a continental land mass and has terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies along a continuous route. Although Europe is crisscrossed by railways, the railroads within Europe are usually not considered transcontinental, with the possible exception of the historic Orient Express . Transcontinental railroads helped open up interior regions of continents not previously colonized to exploration and settlement that would not otherwise have been feasible. In many cases they also formed the backbones of cross-country passenger and freight transportation networks. Many of them continue to have an important role in freight transportation and some like the Trans-Siberian Railway even have passenger trains going from one end to the other.
69-664: Benicia ( / b ə ˈ n iː ʃ ə / bə- NEE -shə , Spanish: [beˈnisja] ) is a city in Solano County, California , located on the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area . It served as the capital of California for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population was 27,131 at the 2020 United States Census . Benicia
138-570: A San Antonio -based oil company, in 2000. Between 1970 and 1995, the population of Benicia grew steadily at a rate of about 1,000 people per year, and the city changed from a poor, blue-collar town of 7,000 to a white-collar bedroom suburb of 27,000. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km), of which 12.9 square miles (33 km) are land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km), comprising 17.75%, are water. Benicia
207-489: A general law county . The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas. The County government is composed of the elected five-member Board of Supervisors , several other elected offices including
276-404: A 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $ 59,628 versus $ 39,893 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 31,226. About 3.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over. According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Arts Benicia
345-503: A complex federal policy for purchasing, granting, conveying land. Some of these land-related acts included: George J. Gould attempted to assemble a truly transcontinental system in the 1900s. The line from San Francisco, California , to Toledo, Ohio , was completed in 1909, consisting of the Western Pacific Railway , Denver and Rio Grande Railroad , Missouri Pacific Railroad , and Wabash Railroad . Beyond Toledo,
414-571: A political party. Democrats hold voter-registration advantages in all incorporated cities and towns in Solano County. However, Republicans lead in registration in the unincorporated communities of the county (40%-35%), making Solano the only county in the Bay Area where Republicans out-number Democrats in unincorporated communities. The Democrats' largest registration advantage in Solano is in
483-547: Is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate, educate, and nurture cultural life in Benicia primarily through the visual arts. They provide exhibitions, educational programs, and classes that support artists and engage the broader community. The organization offers dynamic year-round art exhibitions and public art openings, the Benicia Artists Open Studios event in the spring,
552-543: Is any continuous rail line connecting a location on the U.S. Pacific coast with one or more of the railroads of the nation's eastern trunk line rail systems operating between the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers and the U.S. Atlantic coast. The first concrete plan for a transcontinental railroad in the United States was presented to Congress by Asa Whitney in 1845. A series of transcontinental railroads built over
621-848: Is for freight only. On December 6, 2017 the Brazilian President Michel Temer and his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales signed an agreement for an Atlantic - Pacific railway. The construction will start in 2019 and will be finished in 2024. The new railway is planned to be 3750 km in length. There are two possible tracks in discussion: Both have an Atlantic end in Santos , Brazil but the Pacific ends are in Ilo and Matarani in Peru. Another longer Transcontinental freight-only railroad linking Lima , Peru, to Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
690-624: Is just east of Vallejo and across the strait from Martinez . The City of Benicia was founded on May 19, 1847, by Dr. Robert Semple , Thomas O. Larkin , and Comandante General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo , on land donated to them by General Vallejo in December 1846. It was named for the General's wife, Francisca Benicia Carillo de Vallejo , a member of the Carrillo family of California , a prominent Californio dynasty. The General intended that
759-559: Is located on the north side of the Carquinez Strait . The 2010 United States Census reported that Benicia had a population of 26,997. The population density was 1,717.4 inhabitants per square mile (663.1/km). The racial makeup of Benicia was 19,568 (72.5%) White , 1,510 (5.6%) African American , 135 (0.5%) Native American , 2,989 (11.1%) Asian , 102 (0.4%) Pacific Islander , 895 (3.3%) from other races , and 1,798 (6.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,248 persons (12.0%). The Census reported that 99.9% of
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#1732771931788828-542: Is now commemorated by a plaque near Southampton Bay. In 1901, the world's first long-distance powerline crossing over Carquinez Strait was built. After California's wheat output dropped in the early 20th century and especially after the Southern Pacific (which took over the operations of the Central Pacific) opened a railroad bridge to Martinez on October 15, 1930, eliminating the ferry crossing and
897-542: Is one of the largest street fairs in Northern California, this outdoor event began in 1963 with a few collectable and antique stores displaying their items on tables outside St. Paul's Church. Traditionally held on the July 3, Benicia's Fourth of July parade stretches all the way down First Street and typically includes music, dancing, floats, horses, clowns, and live entertainment. On the fourth Sunday in July,
966-559: Is under development. The first railroad to directly connect two oceans (although not by crossing a broad "continental" land mass ) was the Panama Canal Railway . Opened in 1855, this 77 km (48 mi) line was designated instead as an "inter-oceanic" railroad crossing Country at its narrowest point, the Isthmus of Panama , when that area was still part of Colombia . (Panama split off from Colombia in 1903 and became
1035-614: The Benicia Marina , there are several organized events and competitions. During the summer months, there is a yacht racing competition on Thursday evenings sponsored by the Benicia Yacht Club. The Yacht Club co-sponsors the annual Jazz Cup regatta with the South Beach Yacht Club, and also sponsors a Youth Sailing Program that offers extensive training. The Benicia Unified School District operates
1104-664: The California Gold Rush . Benicia became a way station on the way to the Sierras. In March 1850, Benicia became one of the first incorporated cities in California , a month after Sacramento . Benicia was the original county seat of Solano County . The lower floor of the Benicia Masonic Hall , built in 1850 with lumber donated by Benicia founder Robert Semple on land donated by Alexander Riddell,
1173-588: The California State Assembly , Solano County is split between the 4th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Cecilia Aguiar-Curry , and the 11th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Lori Wilson . In the California State Senate , it is in the 3rd Senate District , represented by Democrat Bill Dodd . On November 4, 2008, Solano County voted 55.82% in favor of Proposition 8 , which amended
1242-668: The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) completed a line that spanned from the port of Montreal to the Pacific coast, fulfilling a condition of British Columbia 's 1871 entry into the Canadian Confederation . The City of Vancouver , incorporated in 1886, was designated the western terminus of the line. The CPR became the first transcontinental railway company in North America in 1889 after its International Railway of Maine opened, connecting CPR to
1311-698: The Sheriff-Coroner , District Attorney , Assessor /Recorder, Auditor-Controller , and Treasurer /Tax Collector/County Clerk, and numerous county departments and entities under the supervision of the County Administrator. As of March 2023, the members of the Solano County Board of Supervisors were: Solano County has been a Democratic stronghold in presidential and congressional elections, with Californians Richard Nixon (in 1972) and Ronald Reagan (in 1980 and 1984) being
1380-626: The census of 2000, there were 26,865 people, 10,328 households, and 7,239 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,082.6 inhabitants per square mile (804.1/km). There were 10,547 housing units at an average density of 817.6 units per square mile (315.7 units/km). The racial makeup of the city was 78.89% White , 9.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino , 7.56% Asian , 4.82% Black or African American , 0.60% Native American , 0.29% Pacific Islander , 2.65% from other races , and 5.18% from two or more races. There were 10,328 households, out of which 36.7% had children under
1449-400: The 130,403 households 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 19.6% of households were one person and 6.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.33. The age distribution was 28.3% under
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#17327719317881518-718: The 19th century. The prolific shipbuilder Matthew Turner formed the Matthew Turner Shipyard at Benicia in 1883. Benicia became an important wheat storage and shipping site. It was also the site of the United States Army 's Benicia Arsenal . On December 1, 1879, the Central Pacific Railroad rerouted the Sacramento-Oakland portion of its transcontinental line to Benicia and established a major railroad ferry across
1587-739: The 5th most racially diverse county in the United States, behind Aleutians West Census Area and Aleutians East Borough in Alaska, Queens County in New York, and Alameda County in California. The 2010 United States Census reported that Solano County had a population of 413,344. The racial makeup of Solano County was 210,751 (51.0%) White, 60,750 (14.7%) African American, 3,212 (0.8%) Native American, 60,473 (14.6%) Asian, 3,564 (0.9%) Pacific Islander, 43,236 (10.5%) from other races, and 31,358 (7.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 99,356 persons (24.0%). At 52,641 Filipinos in
1656-766: The Annual Benefit Art Auction in the fall, various special projects, and quarterly art classes for adults and kids. It is located in the Benicia Arsenal at the Commanding Officer's Quarters at 1 Commandant's Lane. Gallery hours are Thursday-Sunday, 12:00-5:00 pm during exhibitions; gallery admission is free to the public. Arts in the Park is an annual summer art celebration held in Benicia City Park. The Benicia Peddler's Fair
1725-639: The Atlantic Coast. There is activity to revive the connection between Valparaíso and Santiago in Chile and Mendoza , Argentina, through the Transandino project. Mendoza has an active connection to Buenos Aires . The old Transandino began in 1910 and ceased passenger service in 1978 and freight 4 years later. Technically a complete transcontinental link exists from Arica, Chile , to La Paz , Bolivia, to Buenos Aires, but this trans-Andean crossing
1794-683: The Atlantic coast. The construction of a transcontinental railway strengthened the connection of British Columbia and the North-West Territories to the country they had recently joined, and acted as a bulwark against potential incursions by the United States. Subsequently, two other transcontinental lines were built in Canada: the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) opened another line to the Pacific in 1915, and
1863-462: The Benicia station, Benicia declined until the economic boom of World War II, in which the population doubled to about 7,000 residents. A major fire on March 22, 1945, destroyed a half-block of businesses, including the nearly-century-old “old brewery”, and the Solano Hotel, with flames briefly threatening the old state capitol, now a historical landmark. A roof fire was quickly extinguished and
1932-680: The California Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. It was the only Bay Area county to approve the initiative. In the 2008 presidential election that day, Barack Obama carried the county by a 28.5% margin over John McCain , a larger margin than statewide (24%). According to the California Secretary of State , as of February 10, 2019, Solano County has 236,028 registered voters. Of those, 106,452 (45.1%) are registered Democrats, 50,006 (21.2%) are registered Republicans , and 66,558 (28.2%) have declined to state
2001-611: The Carquinez Strait from Benicia to Port Costa . The world's largest ferry, the Solano , later joined by the even larger Contra Costa, carried entire trains across the Carquinez Strait from Benicia to Port Costa, whence they continued on to the Oakland Pier . On June 5, 1889, the legendary prize fight between James J. Corbett and Joe Choynski was held on a barge off the coast of Benicia. The match lasted 28 rounds, and
2070-584: The North American heartland for settlement. Much of the original route, especially on the Sierra grade west of Reno, Nevada, is currently used by Amtrak's California Zephyr , although many parts have been rerouted. The resulting coast-to-coast railroad connection revolutionized the settlement and economy of the American West . It brought the western states and territories into alignment with
2139-629: The Portuguese community in Benicia celebrates the feast of the Holy Ghost , continuing a devotion established by the Queen St. Isabel of Portugal , who was noted for her care for the poor. The festival starts with a parade to St. Dominic's Church followed by Mass , followed by an auction and a dance. The Holy Ghost Parade celebrated its centennial in Benicia in 2007. Benicia is an active sailing community. In addition to individual sailing out of
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2208-418: The age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under
2277-435: The age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 67,617, and the median income for a family was $ 77,974 (these figures had risen to $ 84,025 and $ 102,889 respectively as of
2346-411: The age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males. The median household income was $ 54,099 and the median family income was $ 60,597. Males had a median income of $ 41,787 versus $ 31,916 for females. The per capita income for
2415-428: The city be named "Francisca" after his wife, but this name was dropped when the former city of "Yerba Buena" changed its name to "San Francisco," so her second given name was used instead. In his memoirs, William Tecumseh Sherman contended that Benicia was "the best natural site for a commercial city" in the region. In February 1848, first word of gold found at Sutter's Mill was leaked at a Benicia Tavern, thus starting
2484-412: The city of Vallejo , wherein there are only 8,242 Republicans (14.6%) out of 56,313 total voters compared to 33,753 Democrats (59.9%) and 12,157 voters who have declined to state a political party (21.6%). The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Solano County. † county seat Transcontinental railroad A transcontinental railroad in the United States
2553-702: The city than the Army had. The completion of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge made it possible for the city to become a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland , and suburban development in the Benicia hills began in the late 1960s. On December 20, 1968, near the Benicia water pumping station on Lake Herman Road, the Zodiac Killer made his debut by killing Vallejo natives David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen as they rested or " necked " in Faraday's car. Near
2622-637: The city's public schools. Due to the railroad bridge opening in 1930, Benicia has no rail transit, but offers bus transportation through SolTrans and SolanoExpress , which service the Benicia Park and Ride, where connections are available to the Walnut Creek BART station. The Benicia–Martinez Bridge provides an automobile and rail link over Carquinez Strait, as well as bicycle and pedestrian lanes which opened in August 2009. Two blocks from
2691-622: The combined Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR)/ National Transcontinental Railway (NTR) system opened in 1917 following the completion of the Quebec Bridge , although its line to the Pacific opened in 1914. The CNoR, GTPR, and NTR were nationalized to form the Canadian National Railway , which currently is now Canada's largest transcontinental railway, with lines running all the way from the Pacific Coast to
2760-677: The county for an estimated $ 900 million to develop a new city. Solano County is the easternmost county of the North Bay . As such, it is sometimes reported by news agencies as being in the East Bay . Additionally, a portion of the county extends into the Sacramento Valley , geographically. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km ), of which 84 square miles (220 km ), comprising 9.3%, are covered by water. Solano County had several cinnabar mines that were worked in
2829-427: The county making up 12% of the population, Solano County has the largest percentage Filipino population of any county in the United States. At the 2000 census there were 394,542 people, 130,403 households, and 97,411 families in the county. The population density was 476 inhabitants per square mile (184/km ). There were 134,513 housing units at an average density of 162 per square mile (63/km ). The racial makeup of
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2898-490: The county was $ 21,731. About 6.1% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.3% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. The following table includes the number of incidents reported and the rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense (2011). The Government of Solano County is defined and authorized under the California Constitution and law as
2967-415: The county was 56.4% White, 14.9% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 12.8% Asian, 0.8% Pacific Islander, 8.0% from other races, and 6.4% from two or more races. 17.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.5% were of German , 6.4% Irish and 6.0% English ancestry according to Census 2000 . 75.7% spoke English , 12.1% Spanish and 6.6% Tagalog as their first language. Of
3036-564: The first half of the twentieth century, including the Hastings Mine and St. John's Mine . Solano County has a number of rare and endangered species , including the Delta green ground beetle , the wildflower Lasthenia conjugens , commonly known as Contra Costa goldfields, and the annual plant Legenere limosa or false Venus' looking glass. Solano County is served by several transit agencies: Each agency interconnects with
3105-536: The independent Republic of Panama ). By spanning the isthmus, the line thus became the first railroad to completely cross any part of the Americas and physically connect ports on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans . Given the tropical rain forest environment, the terrain, and diseases such as malaria and cholera , its completion was a considerable engineering challenge. The construction took five years after ground
3174-631: The last third of the 19th century created a nationwide transportation network that united the country by rail. The first of these, the 3,103 km (1,928 mi) "Pacific Railroad" , was built by the Central Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad , as well as the Western Pacific Railroad (1862-1870) , to link the San Francisco Bay at Alameda, California , with the nation's existing eastern railroad network at Omaha, Nebraska / Council Bluffs, Iowa — thereby creating
3243-689: The line over and through the Sierra Nevada mountains and then across Nevada to their meeting in northern Utah . Chinese workers made up ninety percent of the workforce on the line. The Chinese Labor Strike of 1867 was peaceful, with no violence, organized across the entire Sierra Nevada route, and was carried out according to a peaceful Confucian model of protest. The strike began with the Summer Solstice in June, 1867 and lasted for eight days. The Transcontinental Railroad required land and
3312-467: The main downtown district, the Benicia Marina is a full-service marina, offering a fuel dock, pump-out station, launch ramp, general store, laundry, restrooms and showers. Benicia has one sister city. Solano County, California Solano County ( / s ə ˈ l ɑː n oʊ / ) is a county located in the U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , its population
3381-465: The northern Union states and made transporting passengers and goods coast-to-coast considerably quicker, safer and less expensive. It replaced most of the far slower and more hazardous stagecoach lines and wagon trains . The number of emigrants taking the Oregon and California Trails declined dramatically. The sale of the railroad land grant lands and the transport provided for timber and crops led to
3450-645: The only Republicans to win the county since 1928. However, the northern area of Solano County including Vacaville and Dixon have begun shifting right as evidenced by the 2022 midterms, voters in Congressional District 4 favored the Republican candidate 50.3% to 49.7%. Solano County is split between California's 4th , 7th and 8th congressional districts, represented by Mike Thompson ( D – St. Helena ), Doris Matsui ( D – Sacramento ) and John Garamendi ( D – Walnut Grove ) respectively. In
3519-602: The others, enabling transit trips throughout the county. Service also connects with BART stations in Contra Costa County. Transit links are provided to Napa, Yolo and Sacramento counties as well. Greyhound and Amtrak provide long-distance intercity service. General aviation airports in Solano County that are open to the public are the Nut Tree Airport and Rio Vista Municipal Airport . A 2014 analysis by The Atlantic found Solano County to be
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#17327719317883588-398: The planned route would have used the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad (1900) , Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Railway , Little Kanawha Railroad , West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway , Western Maryland Railroad , and Philadelphia and Western Railway , but the Panic of 1907 strangled the plans before the Little Kanawha section in West Virginia could be finished. The Alphabet Route
3657-603: The population lived in households and 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters. There were 10,686 households, out of which 3,617 (33.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,668 (53.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,271 (11.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 480 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 584 (5.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 102 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 2,628 households (24.6%) were made up of individuals, and 893 (8.4%) had someone living alone who
3726-410: The rapid settling of the "Great American Desert". The Union Pacific recruited laborers from Army veterans and Irish immigrants, while most of the engineers were ex-Army men who had learned their trade keeping the trains running during the American Civil War . The Central Pacific Railroad faced a labor shortage in the more sparsely settled West. It recruited Cantonese laborers in China, who built
3795-402: The same area on July 4 of the following year, the killer struck again, killing Darlene Elizabeth Ferrin and injuring Michael Mageau at the Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo, immediately next to Benicia. Northeast of the town's residential areas an oil refinery was built and completed in 1969 by Humble Oil (later Exxon Corporation ). The refinery was later bought by Valero Energy Corporation ,
3864-441: The structure was not badly damaged. Losses were estimated at $ 125,000. Two developments in the early 1960s would completely change Benicia: The closing of the Benicia Arsenal in 1960–64, and the completion of the Benicia–Martinez Bridge in 1962. The closing of the Arsenal removed Benicia's traditional economic base, but allowed city leaders to create an industrial park on Arsenal land which eventually provided more revenue for
3933-553: The subsequent operation of the Panama Canal , due to its proximity to the canal. Currently, the railway operates under the private administration of the Panama Canal Railroad Company, and its upgraded capacity complements the cargo traffic through the Panama Canal. A second Central American inter-oceanic railroad began operation in 1908 as a connection between Puerto San José and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala, but ceased passenger service to Puerto San José in 1989. A third Central American inter-oceanic railroad began operation in 1910 as
4002-412: The world's second transcontinental railroad when it was completed from Omaha to Alameda on September 6, 1869. (The first transcontinental railroad was the Panama Railroad of 1855.) Its construction was made possible by the US government under Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862, 1864, and 1867 . Its original course was very close to current Interstate 80 . The United States' first transcontinental railroad
4071-486: Was 42.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males. There were 11,306 housing units at an average density of 719.2 units per square mile (277.7 units/km), of which 70.5% were owner-occupied and 29.5% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 72.2% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 27.7% lived in rental housing units. As of
4140-431: Was 453,491. The county seat is Fairfield . Solano County comprises the Vallejo–Fairfield metropolitan statistical area , which is also included in the San Jose – San Francisco – Oakland , combined statistical area . Solano County is the northeastern county in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area region. A portion of the South Campus at the University of California, Davis , is in Solano County. Solano County
4209-417: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 7,419 families (69.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.02. The population was spread out, with 6,317 people (23.4%) under the age of 18, 1,923 people (7.1%) aged 18 to 24, 6,087 people (22.5%) aged 25 to 44, 9,303 people (34.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,367 people (12.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
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#17327719317884278-431: Was built between 1863 and 1869 that connected the existing eastern U.S. rail network at Council Bluffs, Iowa , with the Pacific coast at the Oakland Long Wharf on San Francisco Bay . Its construction was considered to be one of the greatest American technological feats of the 19th century. Known as the "Pacific Railroad" when it opened, it served as a vital link for trade, commerce, and travel and opened up vast regions of
4347-443: Was completed in 1931, providing the portion of this line east of the Mississippi River . With the merging of the railroads, only the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railway remain to carry the entire route. The completion of Canada's first transcontinental railway with the driving of the Last Spike at Craigellachie, British Columbia , on November 7, 1885, was an important milestone in Canadian history . Between 1881 and 1885,
4416-410: Was first broken for the line in May, 1850, cost eight million dollars, and required more than seven thousand workers drawn from "every quarter of the globe." This railway was built to provide a shorter and more secure path between the United States' East and West Coasts. This need was mainly triggered by the California Gold Rush . Over the years the railway played a key role in the construction and
4485-411: Was given the Spanish name Francisco Solano during baptism at the Catholic Mission, and is named after the Spanish Franciscan missionary , Father Francisco Solano . "Solano" is a common surname in the north of Spain, especially in Navarra, Zaragoza, and La Rioja. Travis Air Force Base is located just east of Fairfield. Between 2017 and 2023, California Forever purchased over 50,000 acres of land in
4554-403: Was located on West I Street, just north of First Street. From 1860 to 1861, Benicia was indirectly involved in the Pony Express . When riders missed their connection with a steamer in Sacramento , they would continue on to Benicia and cross over to Martinez via the ferry. One of the earliest companies in California, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company , established a major shipyard in Benicia in
4623-449: Was moved to the courthouse in Sacramento, which has remained the State capital ever since. The restored capitol is part of the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park , and is the only building remaining of the State's pre-Sacramento capitols. The original campus of Mills College was founded in Benicia in 1852 as the Young Ladies Seminary , and was the first women's college west of the Rocky Mountains . Before moving to Oakland in 1871, it
4692-464: Was one of the original counties of California , created in 1850 at the time of statehood. At the request of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo , the county was named for Chief Solano of the Suisun people , a Native American tribe of the region and Vallejo's close ally. Chief Solano at one time led the tribes between the Petaluma River and the Sacramento River . The chief was also called Sem-Yeto , which signifies "brave or fierce hand." The chief
4761-410: Was used as the County court room and offices prior to the completion of Benicia's city hall. In 1858, the county seat was moved to Fairfield . In 1853, Benicia became the third site selected to serve as the California State capital, after San Jose and nearby Vallejo , and its newly constructed city hall was California's capitol from February 11, 1853, to February 25, 1854. Soon after, the legislature
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