Cordelia in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Cordelia Begins
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 26, 2020
1. Cordelia Begins Marker
Inscription.
Cordelia Begins. . The Suisun Rancho, in which Cordelia is located, was one of the first five Mexican land grants in the area that became Solano County. The Mexican government granted the rancho to Chief Solano of the Suisun tribe in 1845. The land was then sold to General Mariano G. Vallejo and in 1850 to Archibald A. Ritchie and Captain Robert H. Waterman.
Waterman is credited with founding Cordelia, named for his wife, in 1850, In 1851, Josiah Wing founded Suisun City, which proved to be a better shipping point. This prompted Waterman to found the neighboring city of Fairfield in 1856, shifting his attention away from Cordelia.
Cordelia was originaly established about a mile north of its present location, at the head of Cordelia Slough near the abandoned Santa Eulalia Mission (built in 1824 and run by Chief Solano), where a small settement already existed. However, in 1868 the town was relocated closer to the newly constructed transcontinental railroad. The new location was named Bridgeport (after Cordelia Waterman's hometown in Connecticut). However, the post office objected to the new name claiming it was not unique, so the town once again became Cordelia.
Cordelia Hunters
Hunters found the nearby Suisun Marsh to be a great location for game, Pictured second from right is Chris Dunker, son of Henry Dunker, one of the first German immigrants to setle in Cordelia. Henry owned the Dunker Brothers' Slaughterhouse, built many of the Victorian homes in the area and played a significant role in the development of Cordelia, Photo ca. 1890.
Green Valley Schoolhouse
Built around 1870, this one room schoolhouse was located on Ritchie Road about 500 feet north of Cordelia Road. The building had two sets of stairs leading to two front doors, the girls entered through one and the boys through the other. In 1883, a bell tower was added that has since been relocated to Green Valley Middle School. Dan White, (the tall figure toward the right in the back row) was the schoolmaster at the time this photo was taken. He went on to serve as Superintendent for the Green Valley School District for 40 years. The old schoolhouse was damaged by fire in 2003 and torn down in 2006, but the unusual tree to the right of the structure remains. Photo ca. 1890.
The Suisun Rancho, in which Cordelia is located, was one of the first five Mexican
land grants in the area that became Solano County. The Mexican government
granted the rancho to Chief Solano of the Suisun tribe in 1845. The land was then
sold to General Mariano G. Vallejo and in 1850 to Archibald A. Ritchie and Captain
Robert H. Waterman.
Waterman is credited with founding Cordelia, named for his wife, in 1850, In 1851,
Josiah Wing founded Suisun City, which proved to be a better shipping point. This
prompted Waterman to found the neighboring city of Fairfield in 1856, shifting his
attention away from Cordelia.
Cordelia was originaly established about a mile north of its present location, at the
head of Cordelia Slough near the abandoned Santa Eulalia Mission (built in 1824
and run by Chief Solano), where a small settement already existed. However, in
1868 the town was relocated closer to the newly constructed transcontinental
railroad. The new location was named Bridgeport (after Cordelia Waterman's
hometown in Connecticut). However, the post office objected to the new name
claiming it was not unique, so the town once again became Cordelia.
Cordelia Hunters
Hunters found the nearby Suisun Marsh to be a great location for
game, Pictured second from right is Chris Dunker, son of Henry
Dunker,
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one of the first German immigrants to setle in Cordelia.
Henry owned the Dunker Brothers' Slaughterhouse, built many of
the Victorian homes in the area and played a significant role in the
development of Cordelia, Photo ca. 1890.
Green Valley Schoolhouse
Built around 1870, this one room schoolhouse was located on Ritchie Road about 500 feet north of Cordelia Road. The building had two sets of stairs leading to two front doors, the girls entered through one and the boys through the other. In 1883, a bell tower was added that has since been relocated to Green Valley Middle School. Dan White, (the tall figure toward the right in the back row) was the schoolmaster at the time this photo was taken. He went on to serve as Superintendent for the Green Valley School District for 40 years. The old schoolhouse
was damaged by fire in 2003 and torn down in 2006, but the unusual tree to the right of the structure remains. Photo ca. 1890.
Erected 2010.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
Location. 38° 12.617′ N, 122° 8.243′ W. Marker is in Cordelia, California, in Solano County. Marker is on Cordelia Road east of Lopes Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield CA 94534, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, January 26, 2020
More about this marker. The marker is located on Cordelia Road, just a few steps to the east of where Cordelia undercrosses I-680.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
