Benicia in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Pony Express Ferry “Carquinez”
[Front of Marker:]
[Back of marker:]
Captain Oliver C. Coffin and his brothers purchased the ferry “Carquinez” from an eastern shipyard. The double end dual paddle wheel ferry modeled after the New York-Brooklyn ferry boats of that period. It was shipped around Cape Horn as ballast in a sailing ship and put in use by the Coffins in 1854.
An 1860 schedule shows that this ferry operated every 30 minutes between Benicia and Martinez. The first trip of each day left at 8:00 a.m. from Martinez to Benicia.
On April 23, 1860, the ferry was alerted by telegraph from Sacramento to be in Benicia early. The ferry was needed to carry the Pony Express mail across the Strait. The ferry docked here at the foot of First Street and Pony Express rider Thomas Bedford was on board the ferry at 7:05 a.m.
2000 Joe Nardone
[A list of donors is on bottom of base]
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pony Express National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1920.
Location. 38° 2.669′ N, 122° 9.759′ W. Marker is in Benicia, California, in Solano County. Marker is on First Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the foot of 1st Street at the entrance to the parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Benicia CA 94510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dedicated to the Memory of Pony Express Riders (here, next to this marker); Jack London (within shouting distance of this marker); Benicia Historic Tannery - Circa 1890 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Peregrine Landing Ark & Stables (approx. 0.3 miles away); Solano Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Bohn Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Founders of Benicia (approx. 0.4 miles away); Robert Semple (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benicia.
Also see . . .
1. National Pony Express Association. Association website entry (Submitted on June 14, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Benicia Historical Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 14, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,030 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.