Woodland in Yolo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Byron Jackson’s First Machine Shop

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 1, 2006

1. Site of Byron Jackson’s First Machine Shop Marker

Inscription. Byron Jackson (1841-1921) was an inventor and manufacturer of farm equipment and pumps. His name endures on pumps used in agriculture, petroleum, mining, power generations and water supply. Born in Ohio, Jackson moved to Woodland with his parents in 1860. He first worked on his father’s farm, and in 1872 established his first machine shop in the Yolo Planing Mill on the west side of First Street next to Hesperian College.

Here Jackson invented and manufactured tools for local farmers. In 1878 he moved his business to San Francisco, where in 1890 he patented his first centrifugal pump. In his lifetime he was awarded patents for 13 inventions. The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed his plant, but business continued, using machinery salvaged from the fire. Byron Jackson retired in 1913, and two years later the company moved to a new plant in Berkeley. In the 1950’s the company was purchased by Borg-Warner Corporation, and Byron Jackson’s company became the foundation for the Pump Division of present day BW/IP International, Inc., based in Long Beach, Ca.

Erected 1996 by BW/IP International, Inc. – (Pump Division).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location.

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38° 40.585′ N, 121° 46.394′ W. Marker is in Woodland, California, in Yolo County. Marker is at the intersection of Bush Street and First Street, on the right when traveling west on Bush Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodland CA 95776, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Corner Drug Company Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodland's First Post Office (about 400 feet away); Capital Hotel, Est. 1869 (about 500 feet away); Main and Second Street 1920’s (about 500 feet away); Yolo County Savings Bank (about 600 feet away); China Town begins (about 600 feet away); Woodland begins (about 600 feet away); The Woodland Opera House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodland.

More about this marker. This is a City of Woodland Historical Site

Also see . . .
1. Byron Jackson Co. Vintage Machines entry (Submitted on January 6, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. BJ Services Company History. Funding Universe entry (Submitted on January 6, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. An excerpt from: www.flowserve -Flowserve’s Pump History
In 1872 the world’s largest gold nugget, a 215 kg giant, was

Site of Byron Jackson’s First Machine Shop image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 1, 2006

2. Site of Byron Jackson’s First Machine Shop

Marker is to the left of the corner of the existing building.

found in New South Wales, Australia. Another legendary gem, The Byron Jackson Company of Woodland, California, was also founded that year. The list of Byron Jackson “firsts” and “largests” in industrial pumping history is too long to enumerate in a short history, but it covers centrifugal pumps of almost every design and application.

— Submitted September 24, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Photo of Byron Jackson Shown on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 1, 2006

3. Photo of Byron Jackson Shown on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,040 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on November 9, 2009, by Bonnie Ward of Touchet, Washington. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.