Benicia Historical Society

day, Fr. Vilarrasa sang the first solemn High Mass at the new St. Dominic's Church, not yet fully completed, on the corner of 4th East and J streets. As Benicia grew in commerce and in population, the parish congregation outgrew the old church and a new church designed by Fr. Raymond John, O.P., was built at the other end of the block from the old church. Photos of the old church show that many furnishings, including the lectern, baptismal font, and some pews were moved from the old church to the new building. Fr. Newel, Pastor of St. Dominic's, said the first Mass in the new (and current) church on March 17, 1890. St. Dominic’s School proudly traces its heritage to 1854 when the Dominican Sisters first opened St. Catherine’s Academy on the present site of Solano Square Shopping Center in downtown Benicia. St. Catherine’s Academy served the needs of Catholic education in Benicia until the 1960’s when the school was permanently closed. The Dominican Sisters were instrumental in opening the newly built St. Dominic's parish school built on the grounds adjoining the church in 1961. Benicia had only been established for seven years when Fr. Vilarrasa moved his Dominican community from Monterey to the new State Capitol of Benicia on March 16, 1854. The next day, St. Patrick's Feast Gazette Fall 2004 Why is Yuba Impor tant? In the midst of the Mexican War (1846- 1848), Congress passed legislation subsidizing the creation of 2 private steamship lines to connect the Eastern seaboard with the recently acquired territories on the Pacific Coast. Chartered to carry US mail and passengers, the 2 firms were organized in 1848. One of them, the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., made its home in Benicia, where "Yuba" is today, and was the very first major industrial enterprise in California. This depot is the last land-based resource of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. left in the US. When gold was discovered in 1849 the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. boomed beyond estimation carrying thousands of people, mail and supplies to the west coast. Through the 1860s, it was the principal economic mainstay of Benicia, employing several hundred workers. Pacific Mail shipwrights built Benicia's Episcopal Church (St. Paul's) in 1860 and donated Benicia's first fire engine. The depot and shops ceased operations in 1869 (only 21 years later) just as the transcontinental railroad finally linked the eastern and western shores. What is most amazing however, is not only the impact that 21 years had on the cultural history of California, but that the original office building, built in 1852, is still basically unaltered - 152 years later! The Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Benicia's Contribution to Maritime History The website "www.theshipslist.com " says "Pacific Mail became both an important part of the history of the American West as well as one of the most profitable enterprises of its era." According to the National Register of Historic Places nomination, prepared in 1986 by the National Park Service, the impact this company had on California's cultural and industrial history and its potential archaeological record beneath the surface, makes this site highly significant historically. So why do they call the site of the Pacific Mail Steamship Depot the "Yuba"? After PMSC closed, the buildings were vacant for over a decade and were finally purchased by the Benicia Agricultural Works. In 1914 the buildings were occupied by the Yuba Construction Co. The Yuba Construction Company is no more but the name stuck. The Yuba site is located on at the corners of East 6th, 7th and H Streets. The Tennessee, of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. Line St. Dominic's Celebrates 150Years Did you know? Run Through History Ever wonder what happened to the Solano? The ferry that was, at one time, the largest in the world and who made her home in Benicia, is sunk just off the Antioch Marina in shallow water. She's been there since the 1930s and most of her is gone but you can still see the pontoon that held her fly wheel! The Solano's Pontoon The first annual "Run Through History" 5K/10K race will be held Sunday, October 31st! The course will include First Street, parts of our downtown Historic District and Arsenal Historic District. Proceeds will benefit the Benicia Historical Society, St. Dominic's Youth Programs and other worthy community programs. Join us for the inaugral "Run Through History" race! Come in costume! For more information o go to www.active.com or call the Benicia Historical Society at 707-745-1822. Welcome... Our New Members Megan & Joe Lawrence