Historical Marker · No. 176
Benicia Arsenal
Benicia, Solano County · California
Erected by Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West; Benicia Parlor No. 89, N.S.G.W., 1964
The bronze was dedicated on March 31, 1964, as the Army left, and it reads like a farewell: what we say here will soon fade away, what they did here will live forever. Captain Charles Stone opened the ordnance depot in 1851. The Army's camels ended here, assembled in 1863 and auctioned the next year after the experiment was abandoned, and the sandstone warehouses are still called the Camel Barns. The arsenal's work went to Tooele Army Depot in Utah, and the grounds passed to the city. No state plaque stands here.
What the plaque says
1849 Benicia Arsenal 1964 On this historic site for more than a century military history was written. The loyalty, courage and devotion of the military and the civilian who served their country here furnished material for a brilliant page in the saga of the far West. What we say here - will like autumn leaves, soon fall and fade away. What they did here will live forever. As the final curtain falls on the 115th anniversary of the founding of Benicia Arsenal, a grateful nation salutes you. Erected by the Historic Landmarks Committee of the Native Sons of the Golden West and Benicia Parlor No. 89, Native Sons of the Golden West. Marker dedicated at Benicia Arsenal California, March 31, 1964. California Historical Landmark Registration No. 176.
Where it stands
38.04763, -122.13935 · Directions