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

Site of Benicia Seminary

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 20, 2009

1. Site of Benicia Seminary Marker

Inscription.
[Marker mounted on front of base (Photo #1]
The birthplace of Mills College, founded in 1852 as the Young Ladies' Seminary of Benicia. Acquired from Mary Atkins by Cyrus and Susan Mills in 1865. It was moved to its present site in Oakland in 1871 and was chartered as a college by the State of California in 1885.

[Marker mounted on back of base (Photo #2]
To Remember The pioneers who believed in education and supported it: The teachers who
dedicated themselves to learning and
nourished it: The students who came for
knowledge and grew to citizenship in
the early Capital of California
Mills College
Founded in Benicia 1852
Erected by Benicia Old Timers Committee
A.D. 1937
[A second marker mounted on back of base (photo #3)]
Erected by Benicia Parlor 89, N.S.G.W., Mills College Alumnae Assn., May 2, 1965

Erected 1965 by The California State Park Commission in cooperation with The Alumnae Association of Mills College, May 2, 1965. (Marker Number 795.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Landmarks • Notable Events • Notable Places •

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Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1899.

Location. 38° 3.238′ N, 122° 9.385′ W. Marker is in Benicia, California, in Solano County. It is on West Military Street when traveling west. Marker is located at the City Park between 1st and 2nd Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Benicia CA 94510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in Sacramento Valley,

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on 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 walking distance of this marker: World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Protestant Church in California

Marker Mounted on Back of Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 20, 2009

2. Marker Mounted on Back of Base

(within shouting distance of this marker); Playground of Dreams (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Masonic Hall Built in California (about 600 feet away); BDES Hall (about 600 feet away); Norman V. Gonsalves, Sr. (about 700 feet away); 1854 – Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church – 1954 (about 800 feet away); Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benicia.

Regarding Site of Benicia Seminary. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.795 on September 6, 1964

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Benicia was known as the ‘Athens of California’. Historical Articles of Solano County website entry (Submitted on June 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Benicia Seminary
This pioneer educational institution was noted as one of the pioneer schools for young women. In 1852, a Board of Trustees organized the seminary, under the management of Miss Susan Lord. In 1854 Mary Atkins (Lynch) became the proprietor and

A Second Marker Mounted on Back of Base image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 20, 2009

3. A Second Marker Mounted on Back of Base

principal. The school closed it's doors finally in 1886.
Between 1865 and 1871 the school was owned by Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Mills and was the first setting of Mills College, the woman's college now located in Oakland, California.

— Submitted February 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, February 20, 2009

4. Site of Benicia Seminary Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,036 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.