Benicia Historical Society

19. Kullman House (1907) 107 East J Street This colonial Revival house, with a deep-set portico and a vertical emphasis in its design, was built for H. Kullman, owner of Kullman- Salz Tannery in 1907. Later sold to J.L. Sanborn, it has been for many years an antique store operated by the Lundin family. 20. St. Paul’s Rectory (1790) 122 East J Street In 1864 Captain Julian McAllister purchased a typical New England salt box home built in 1790 in Torrington, Connecticut, had it dismantled and shipped it around the Horn to San Francisco. From the Bay it was floated by barge on the Carquinez Strait to Benicia and reassembled at its present site. The rectory still has its original fireplace and staircase. In 1865 a master bedroom and kitchen were added. 21. St. Paul’s Church (1859) First and East J Streets The present church was built in 1859. Lay readers conducted the early services, among them Captain Julian McAllister. In 1876 St. Paul’s became the first Episcopal Cathedral for Northern California with the Reverend J.H.D. Wingfield as bishop. Work on the building was done by Scandinavian shipwrights from the Pacific Mail and Steamship Company. The nautical heritage is reflected in the ceiling, which resembles an inverted ship’s hull and is similar in design to the Norwegian Stave Churches. California redwood with wooden dowels is used in this edifice, which has a floor plan shaped like a cross. 22. Singler Barber Shop (1804) 828 First Street This building, which was built by the Singler family as a barbershop in 1894, is an excellent example of a typical wood frame commercial building in pre-1900 downtown Benicia. Utilized as a barbershop for nearly 50 years and then as a café, saloon, variety store and a card room, it was restored completely in 1989. It is now a tearoom featuring a design ceiling by Benicia’s own Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers. 23. Royal Bakery (1909) 718 First Street Built by Simon Johnston, this building was first a grocery store, but later and for most of its history it was the home of the Royal Bakery. The building materials included sandstone blocks quarried from a gravel pit near the corner of East 4th and H Streets. The Greek Revival detail of the façade above the main entrance is a copy of the old State Capitol across the street.