Home of Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax

The bronze remembers Fairfax as host of the state's last political duel, fought here in 1861 after he had given both men lunch. His own record holds something better. In 1854 Black Californians petitioned the Assembly to repeal the law barring their testimony against white people, and the members voted to throw the petition out of the window; a correspondent for Frederick Douglass' Paper later wrote that such petitions had been burned and pitched from the capitol. By one account Speaker Fairfax cast the only vote against, saying any petition deserved a hearing.

What the plaque says

Site of Bird's Nest Glen The home of "Lord" Charles Snowden Fairfax, pioneer and political leader of the 1850's, served California as an Assemblyman (1853), Speaker of Assembly (1854), and Clerk of the State Supreme Court (1856). Fairfax, a descendent of Scottish barons of the Cameron Fairfax family of Virginia, was involved in the last of California's historic political duels, being host to the principals and friends of the two antagonists. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 679 Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the Marin County Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, November 6, 1960.

Where it stands

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