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

An Island Built of Mud

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2022

1. An Island Built of Mud Marker

Captions: (background photo) An aerial view of Mare Island, Vallejo and the Carquinez Strait (1936); (lower left) Sediments visible in the water at the confluence of Mare Island and Carquinez Strait. (1972); (center) Wildlife will benefit as many of the former dredge ponds revert to seasonal wetlands.; (upper right) Floating pontoons support pipes used to transport the mud from the dregs to the island. (1927); (center right) The cutter blade of the dregs Endicott raised for inspection and removal of debris. (1927).

Inscription. Each year millions of tons of sediment wash out from the Central Valley through the Carquinez Strait and get deposited in the mudflats of the San Pablo and San Francisco bays. Because the docks on the opposite side of the island are a natural settling area for silt and mud, the berths and ship channel had to constantly dredged to maintain an adequate depth for submarines and ships. The dregs materials were used to expand the island from 800 acres to its current 5,252 acres over a period of about 150 years. Where you are standing was once open water.

Erected by City of Vallejo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Military.

Location. 38° 4.886′ N, 122° 16.748′ W. Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Solano County. It can be reached from the intersection of Dump Road and Lawes Street. The marker is located on the Mares Island San Pablo Bay Hiking Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vallejo CA 94592, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s

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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Western Magazine (here, next to this marker); The Carquinez Strait: Gateway to California's Riches (here, next to this marker); St. Peter's Chapel (approx. one mile away); Beyond These Sentry Houses (approx. 1.1 miles away); Officers' Houses (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past (approx. 1.2 miles away); German Marder and Torpedo (approx. 1.2 miles away); H.B.M. Centurian Anchor (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vallejo.

Other markers no longer nearby. First Wireless Station (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been confirmed missing); Sentry Houses, A272 and A279 (was

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2022

2. An Island Built of Mud Marker

The marker is at the center.

approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2023, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.