Benicia in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Solano Hotel
In Search of the Pony Express - Station Marker
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 4, 2010
1. Solano Hotel Marker (Obverse)
[Obverse:]
SOLANO HOTEL
Pony Express Route
Apr. 23, 1860 - Sep. 8, 1861
Home Station
Apr. 23, 1860 - Apr. 15, 1861
By
Benicia Historical Society
Benicia (N.G.S.W.)Native Sons
Benicia Volunteer Fire Department
Pony Express Trail Association
[Reverse:]
Sacramento to San Francisco
Solano Hotel Station Site
Passing Cordelia Pony Express rider Sam Hamilton could see Suisun Bay as he approached Benicia. Riding down First Street he passed California's third Capitol Building and arrived at the Solano Hotel at 6:25 A.M. He rode the 63.3 miles from Sacramento in 5 hours and 10 minutes at an average speed of 12.25 MPH. He had now covered 119 miles since leaving Sportsman's Hall 12 miles east of Placerville.
The mail was exchanged with a new horse and rider by the name of Thomas Bedford. He was a 34 old livery stable keeper at the Solano Hotel's stable right across First Street. He rode to the foot of First Street where the Ferry Carquinez would take him to Martinez.
© Joe Nardone
Erected 1997 by Benicia Historical Society, Benicia (N.G.S.W.)Native Sons, Benicia Volunteer Fire Department and Pony Express Trail Association.
Topics and series.
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Location. 38° 2.897′ N, 122° 9.586′ W. Marker is in Benicia, California, in Solano County. Marker is at the intersection of First Street and West E Street, on the right when traveling south on First Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 First Street, 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. Peregrine Landing Ark & Stables (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bohn Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Founders of Benicia (about 700 feet away); Robert Semple (about 700 feet away); Old State Capitol (about 700 feet away); Antonio M. De LaGuerra 1825 – ‘81 (about 700 feet away); Benicia Historic Tannery - Circa 1890 (about 700 feet away); Fischer-Hanlon House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benicia.
Regarding Solano Hotel.
• The text
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 4, 2010
2. Solano Hotel Marker (Reverse)
• On the front and rear base of the marker are listed the following sponsors: Soroptomist International of Benicia; City of Benicia; Jerry & Maryellen Hayes; Tom & Phyllis Malicki; Peregrine Dunbar Martin; Richard C. Tipton; Benicia Yacht Club; Harry & DIane Wassman; Benicia Camel Barn Museum; Rotary Club of Benicia; Benicia Chamber of Commerce; Joseph L. Schroeder; John S. Hagen; Shannonhouse Arneson Family; Tony Lopes Family; Camellia Tea Room; John & Virginia Souza; Alice N. Merritt; Tanner Candles and Antiques; Mary Whiting McKay; John G. Silva Family; Zeck Moreira Family; Edna & Tom Aldinger; George & Wanda Fulton; Paul & Deborah Fulton.
Also see . . . Benicia Historical Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 4, 2010
3. Solano Hotel Marker - wide view looking across First Street.
Here the marker is visible on the sidewalk just to the right of the tree in the center of the picture. The building behind the marker is not the Solano Hotel, as the hotel burned down in 1945.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,634 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
