Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Giant Powder Company

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

1. Site of Giant Powder Company Marker

Inscription. Pt. Pinole is the last site of the Giant Powder Company, the first company in America to produce dynamite. Following devastating explosions at their San Francisco and Berkeley sites, the business moved to this isolated location in 1892. Incorporating the established Croatian community of Sobrante, the company town of Giant quickly grew into one of the north bay's industrial centers. Explosives were produced here until 1960 and were essential to mining, dam and other construction projects throughout the western hemisphere.

Erected 1992 by California Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the East Bay Regional Park District. (Marker Number 1002-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 37° 59.516′ N, 122° 21.376′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker can be reached from Giant (Highway) Road near Atlas Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5550 Giant Highway, San Pablo CA 94806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Lincoln Highway in San Pablo

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(approx. 2½ miles away); California & Nevada Railroad (approx. 2.8 miles away); Ranchos to Ranches (approx. 2.9 miles away); First Supermarket/Foster's Freeze (approx. 2.9 miles away); Park Theatre (approx. 2.9 miles away); Arrival of the Strip Mall (approx. 2.9 miles away); El Sobrante's First Bank (approx. 3 miles away); Cowboy Country (approx. 3 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is near the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline parking lot.

Also see . . . Giant Powder Company -- SF Found. Dynamite fundamentally changed the way engineering projects were planned and executed, quickly becoming the most popular explosive in the world. It was more powerful, more efficient and less costly than traditional methods. Dynamite had become essential for civil projects that tamed mountains for roadways and railways, captured water for major metropolitan areas, removed trees and boulders for agriculture, and bored deeper into the earth for mining. (Submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 26, 2016

2. Site of Giant Powder Company Marker

Handle With Care! image. Click for full size.

3. Handle With Care!

Photo courtesy of the Contra Costa County Historical Society Collection. The inscription on the bottom left of the photo reads, "I helped build Pike's Peak R.R. by myself." This advertisement for Giant Powder appears to be similar to a ca. 1880s photo by J.G. Hiestand, owner of the Ute Iron Springs, Manitou, Colorado.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on December 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.