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

Cordelia and the Fire

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 22, 2020

1. Cordelia and the Fire Marker

Inscription. In the 1920s, prohibition ended wine production, eliminating one of the most profitable businesses in the Cordelia area. But the town was dealt its worst blow in 1939, when a fire that began in the back of Glashoffs Meat Market burned down much of Cordelia, including the railroad depot. After the fire, the Southern Pacific Railroad chose not to rebuild the depot, and most of the other buildings that were destroyed were also not replaced. This key transportation route helped sustain the town for another decade and a half. However, in 1954 Route 40 (now Interstate 80) was realigned, bypassing Cordelia. As a result, Cordelia never regained its earlier economic prosperity.

(caption upper left and middle photos:)

Cordelia Firehouse

Ia 1919, C.J. Lockefeer bought the livery stable located at the corner of Cordelia Road and Ritchie Road and converted it into a garage (below left). It wasn't long before he sold enough Red Crown gasoline to replace it with a new shop where he sold and repaired Model T Fords. Lockefeer fell on hard times and closed the shop; soon afterwards the building became the Cordelia Firehouse

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(below right). In 1932, the Cordelia Fire Department joined the Cordelia Fire Protection District which had been established in 1918 to serve the communities of Cordelia, Green Valley, Rockville, and Lower Suisun Valley. The firehouse was one of the structures that survived the fire of 1939.

(caption upper right photo:)

In 1917, Constantine Joseph "Scoops" Lockefeer came to Solano County to work on its first his garage in Cordelia a few years later. Lockefeer helped the Cordelia Fire Department to acquire its first fire truck, consisting of a 100 gallon water tank, two 40 gallon soda acid extinguishers, and a hose reel, mounted on a chassis from the Reo Truck Company.

(caption lower left photo:)

Siebe's General Store

Built prior to 1875. Peter Siebe & Company General Merchandise store was the first general store in western Solano County. It was one of the many buildings lost in the 1939 fire. An identical neighboring structure housed the post office, library and barber shop. Owner Peter Siebe Sr., standing on the left, served on the Solano County Board of Supervisors from 1887 to 1895. Photo ca. 1900.

(caption lower right photo:)

Cordelia

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 22, 2020

2. Cordelia Fire Station and Marker

The marker is visible here mounted to a stone monument in front of the fire station. A NSGW commemorative plaque is also visible here, attached to the front of the fire station.

Road looking east from here. From left to right: Henry Dunker's House, Cordelia Meat Market with Glashoffs Dance Hall on the second floor, post office building with library and barber shop, and Siebe's General Store. On the opposite side of the road is the railroad depot and platform. Photo ca. 1900.

Erected 2010.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 38° 12.664′ N, 122° 7.987′ W. Marker is in Cordelia, California, in Solano County. It is at the intersection of Cordelia Road and Ritchie Road, on the right when traveling west on Cordelia Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2155 Cordelia Road, Fairfield CA 94534, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in the Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

Native Sons of the Golden West commemorative plaque for the fire station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 22, 2020

3. Native Sons of the Golden West commemorative plaque for the fire station

the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cordelia (a few steps from this marker); Cordelia: A Thriving Town (a few steps from this marker); Thompson's Corner Saloon - 1902 (a few steps from this marker); The Dunker House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cordelia Begins (approx. ¼ mile away); Village of Cordelia Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Burial Site of Chief Solano (approx. 1.6 miles away); Rockville Station (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cordelia.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.