Vallejo in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Large Carved Eagle (Wood)

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 11, 2015

1. A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) Marker

Inscription. The following entry appears in the official Shipyard Log of June 19, 1876: "A large carved Eagle (wood) was placed on the pediment of the office building today."

No information is available as to the name of the artist, or the occasion for the installation, but it is assumed it was in connection with the centennial of the United States.

For 105 years the eagle sat on top of building 47 through all kinds of weather, before being removed for restoration in 1985. The old bird was badly deteriorated and restoration was a long, tedious process, but the nearly 7-foot eagle has been magnificently rebuilt and is displayed in front of the current Administration Building. The pictorial history of the eagle is revealed in the surrounding photos.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1876.

Location. 38° 5.892′ N, 122° 16.319′ W. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. Marker is on Walnut Avenue near 8th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vallejo CA 94592, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Officers' Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); H.B.M. Centurian Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Farragut Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); German Marder and Torpedo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mare Island Navy Yard Work Bell (about 300 feet away); USS Hartford 10 Inch Dahlgren Smooth Bore Cannon (about 300 feet away); Fourth Marine Division Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vallejo.

More about this marker. The marker is in a covered display case, along with the Eagle, at the south end of the parking lot on Walnut Avenue, just north of 8th St. (Farragut Plaza), on Mare Island in Vallejo.

Regarding A Large Carved Eagle (Wood). Although the marker mentions "surrounding pictures" of the eagle, they are not present in the display or anywhere near the marker. They may reside still in the Mare Island Museum.

A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) and Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 11, 2015

2. A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) and Marker - Wide View

The marker is bare visible here in the front of the display. A Historic American Buildings Survey picture of the same display from the 1980's looks much the same, except that 3 wrought iron benches surround it, and the display's supporting columns are wrapped in material shaped to resemble rope coils.

The Eagle Dreams of the Old Days and Blue Skies image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 11, 2015

3. The Eagle Dreams of the Old Days and Blue Skies

This is a slightly odd picture of the eagle, because the ceiling of the eagle's enclosure is solid, and neither transparent nor translucent. What got captured is a reflection of the sky behind the camera, reflected off the back panel of the enclosure up onto the ceiling. Either that or the eagle is dreaming.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on December 17, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.