Rio Vista in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Humphrey the Humpback Whale
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009
1. Humphrey the Humpback Whale Marker
Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce
and
City of Rio Vista
to remember the visit of
Humphrey
the Humpback Whale
Oct. 10, 1985 - Nov. 4, 1985
Humphrey the Humpback Whale,
a mighty whale was he
He swam into the Delta, to see what he could see
The people stood and stared, and the fish were scared
He was famous across the nation, until they ended his vacation
Richard Fonbuens, Age 12
Donated by: Silva's Memorial's
Vallejo-Antioch, Ca. Dedicated Jan. 31, 1986
John Silva, Proprietor
Erected 1986.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical date for this entry is January 31, 1994.
Location. 38° 9.295′ N, 121° 41.392′ W. Marker is in Rio Vista, California, in Solano County. It is on Main Street near North Front Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rio Vista CA 94571, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Foreign Wars (here, next to this marker); Pony Express River Steamer New World (within shouting distance of this marker); Rio Vista Waterfront Warehouses (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Monitor
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Hotel Del Rio and Casino (was approx. 4.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker is located outside of the Rio Vista City Hall, where Main Street dead ends at the Sacramento River.
Regarding Humphrey the Humpback Whale. In the fall of 1985 a male humpback whale, christened Humphrey, became the most famous whale since Moby Dick by errantly swimming into San Francisco Bay and up the Sacramento River as far as Rio Vista, thus providing endless fodder for television news. He eventually made his way back to the ocean with more than a little assistance from the US Army and various wildlife agencies. The City of Rio Vista has commemorated his visit with this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Humphrey the Whale
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009
2. Humphrey the Humpback Whale and VFW Markers - Wide Shot
2. "Before Tolay, there was Humphrey the humpback". San Francisco Chronicle article by Bill Van Niekerken Dec. 29, 2015 (Submitted on October 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009
3. Humphrey's Journey
View of the Sacramento River looking north from Humphrey's marker site. In the distance is the Rio Vista bridge, a direct lift drawbridge constructed in 1944. The bridge marks the approximate northern boundary of Humphrey's journey.
Steve Ringman, The Chronicle, unknown
4. Humphrey the whale in the delta near Rio Vista.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 8,059 times since then and 84 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week May 10, 2009. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4. submitted on October 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
