Near Woodland in Yolo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Leonidas Taylor
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 15, 2008
1. Leonidas Taylor Marker
Erected to the memory of Leonidas Taylor. Born in the city of Philadelphia on the 3rd of July 1832. He grew to manhood in the city of St. Louis and was killed by the explosion of the Steamer Belle opposite this spot on the 5th of February 1856; his body was never found.
Far distant from those who loved him, the waters of the Sacramento will roll over him until till that day when the sea shall give up its dead.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1856.
Location. 38° 38.657′ N, 121° 34.918′ W. Marker is near Woodland, California, in Yolo County. Marker is on Old River Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Sacramento CA 95691, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bryte (approx. 4.1 miles away); West Capital Raceway (approx. 4.6 miles away); John Sutter Landing (approx. 5.2 miles away); Yolo County Courthouse (approx.
this page online
More about this marker. Made of marble, and showing obvious signs of abuse and repair, this monument has stood at this site for (likely) 150 years or more, marking the steamboat "Belle" tragedy and the death of Leonidas Taylor.
Regarding Leonidas Taylor. On the morning of February 5th, 1856, at precisely 7:45 AM (or 8:24 AM, sources differ), the boiler of the northward-bound steamboat "Belle", exploded, killing at least 13 of the estimated 31 (or 40-60, sources differ) passengers and crew aboard. After the explosion the stern-wheeled paddle steamer was a mass of barely-floating bloody wreckage. A southward-bound steamer, the "General Reddington", happened upon the scene 15 minutes (or 3 and a half hours, sources differ) later and picked up the survivors. However, the body of one passenger, Leonidas Taylor, was never found.
Also see . . . Explosion near Sacramento city — steamboat Belle destroyed — thirty persons killed. Trove website entry:
San Francisco Herald, February 20, 1856
(Submitted on June 10, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 15, 2008
2. Leonidas Taylor Marker - Far shot
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 15, 2008
3. Leonidas Taylor Monument
In the background is a young orchard, with the saplings very evenly spaced.
circa 1910
4. Leonidas Taylor Monument
This photo of the monument was provided by Frank DePace. It was taken by his grandmother in 1910. She was a school teacher and it is possible that the girl in the photo was one of her students.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 15, 2008
5. Sacramento River Location Where the Steamer Belle May Have Gone Down
This photo shot from the top of the levee, on which both the road and monument are located. However, at the time of the accident, the levees had yet to be erected here.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,619 times since then and 249 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week May 31, 2009. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 22, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on April 9, 2012. 5. submitted on February 22, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
