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

Birds Landing - Benjamin’s Store

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009

1. Birds Landing - Benjamin's Store Marker

Inscription. In 1869 John Bird constructed a wharf and warehouse on Montezuma Slough. Soon, one mile east of the wharf, a community began to evolve. A blacksmith shop came first, and then the store was built in 1875. In this year the town was officially named Birds Landing and Bird was named postmaster. By 1878 the town boasted a butcher shop, a saloon, shoemaker and a furniture business. In 1880 Bird bought one half interest in the store. Chris and Evelyn Benjamin bought the store from Bird in 1921 and Evelyn served as postmaster for 50 years. The post office then relocated to a tool shed and held the distinction as being one of the nations smallest full service post offices.

Dedicated April 26, 2008 By Sam Brannan Chapter #1004 E Clampus Vitus

Erected 2008 by Sam Brannan Chapter #1004, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1851.

Location. 38° 7.965′ N, 121° 52.256′ W. Marker is in Birds Landing, California, in Solano County. Marker is at the intersection of Collinsville Road and Birds Landing Road

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, on the right when traveling south on Collinsville Road. The building is located kitty-corner to "Mel's" ("cold libations", lots of historical photos of the area), the lone retail establishment in Birds Landing. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2145 Collinsville Road, Birds Landing CA 94512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Hump (approx. 5.1 miles away); St. Peter Martyr of Verona Mission and Parish (approx. 6.8 miles away); Bristol Bay Sail Gill Netter (approx. 6.9 miles away); Federal Relocation of Italians in America During World II (approx. 6.9 miles away); California Theatre (approx. 6.9 miles away); Bank of America (approx. 7 miles away); Black Diamond (approx. 7 miles away); “The Steelworker in Pittsburg” (approx. 7 miles away).

Regarding Birds Landing - Benjamin’s Store. A local landmark, the store served as a backdrop in Clint Eastwood's 1982 film Honkytonk Man. The store closed in 1987.

Also see . . . Once Flourishing, Town Now Echoes History. The Vacaville Heritage Council's article on the history of Birds Landing, including Benjamin's Store, by Jerry Bowen. (Submitted on March 11, 2009.)

Additional commentary.
1. Additional Information Regarding the Marker Dedication

Benjamin's Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009

2. Benjamin's Store

Colonial Revival designed and built in 1875 by Moses Dinkelspiel. The building is also known as the Bird and Dinkelspiel store, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Dale Welsh was Noble Grand Humbug when this plaque was dedicated. Plaque wording by Loren A. Wilson.

— Submitted April 15, 2012, by Loren Wilson of Sebastopol, California.

Plaque Dedication Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Loren Wilson, April 26, 2008

3. Plaque Dedication Ceremony

Bird Family Plot in Shiloh Cemetery in Birds Landing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 7, 2009

4. Bird Family Plot in Shiloh Cemetery in Birds Landing

John Bird (born in New York in 1837, died 1921), the founder of Birds Landing, and his family lie buried in the family plot behind the Shiloh Church on Shiloh Road (38.168N, 121.890W).

Still from the movie "Honkytonk Man" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jack N. Green and others, ca. 1981

5. Still from the movie "Honkytonk Man"

The store is a gambling hall called the "Choo-Choo" shown about 49 minutes into the movie.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,822 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on February 4, 2019, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on April 15, 2012, by Loren Wilson of Sebastopol, California. 4. submitted on March 11, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5. submitted on March 9, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.