Benicia capitol state historic park

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park is a historical treasure located in the northern San Francisco Bay Area, California. It’s where California’s State Legislature assembled for a little over a year (2/3/1853 – 2/24/1854). The state park is the third California capitol building and the only government capitol before Sacramento still standing.

In 1854, the legislature convened, and the majority voted for the state capital to be moved to Sacramento. The move was due to complaints about poor accommodation, unfavorable weather, and alleged insecurities at the public archives.

Other Interesting Nearby Attractions

You will find the Fischer-Hanlon House next to this exciting building, which once housed Joseph Fischer’s family. It’s one of the few California Gold Rush-era fixed constructions. Joseph Fischer was a famous and notable businessman in Benicia. In 1858, he purchased an early hotel building, converted it into a residential property later on, and moved it to 135 West G Street (present-day location).

In 1968, the family bequeathed the property with its original contents (furnishings and artifacts) to California State Park. As a result, the residence is now a credible research place for its original upper middle-class occupants from the mid-1800s to 1968.

Other exciting attractions neighboring the park include a remise, servant quarters, and a memorial garden.

Reconstruction of the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park

The landmark has since been reconstructed and adorned with the original furnishings and artifacts. For example, there are four desks from the 1850s sitting on the original floor that was reassembled using ponderosa pine. The desk’s furnishings include a spittoon, an 1800s newspaper, a top hat, blotting sand, a candle stick, and a quill pen. Featuring these bygone period attractions and numerous current scenery, the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park makes for an intriguing tourist destination indeed.