On Highway 16 near County Route 85, on the left when traveling west.
Point of Historic Interest
Capay, California
The Capay-Langville School
1874 - 1980
For nearly a century the Capay School bell summoned children to one of California’s longest existing schools located and functioning on the same . . . — — Map (db m1052) HM
On 2nd Street at G Street, on the left when traveling west on 2nd Street.
A disastrous fire on November 13, 1916 destroyed much of the two block long downtown business district. The fire started that morning near what is now the corner of G and 3rd Streets, and fierce north winds fanned the flames all day. . . . — — Map (db m144738) HM
On Old Davis Road, on the left when traveling east. Reported missing.
A relic of an early agricultural experiment - the first underground irrigation system in the Central Valley.
The structure was built by Davisville pioneer George Gregg Briggs to irrigate several hundred acres of orchards and vineyards. . . . — — Map (db m61371) HM
On Pole Line Road at East 8th Street on Pole Line Road.
In Memory of Those Who Gave Their Lives For Our Freedom
World War I
Virgil W. Agard · Charles V. Alford · Harry Bauer · W.H. Bellows · Thurston R. Chamberlain · Edward C. Delray · Claude J. Dince · Percy C. Eugene · Oliver O. Grayson . . . — — Map (db m91434) WM
On 6th Street at G Street, on the left when traveling east on 6th Street.
The Davisville Almond Growers Association was
formed on January 31, 1897. Thus began the first
century of cooperative enterprise in Davis. That group
of Davis growers became leaders in the creation of
Blue Diamond Growers; now, one of the . . . — — Map (db m162583) HM
This historic
Davis Library Building
was moved in 1988
from its original site at
117 F Street, where
the library served Davis
from 1911 to 1968.
It was the first
Yolo County
Public Library Branch. — — Map (db m144244) HM
Near Richards Boulevard, 0.5 miles south of 1st Street, on the left when traveling north.
Built in 1917-18, this entrance to Davis is among the oldest surviving examples of I-beam construction on a railroad grade separation. The underpass was part of the Lincoln Highway. The bicycle bore was added in 1978. Listed in the National Register . . . — — Map (db m57189) HM
On Second Street at E Street, on the left when traveling west on Second Street.
Built in 1871-75 for William Dresbach, Davisville's first postmaster. The mansion was home to the Hunts and Boyers from 1899-1973. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the large mansion property originally included a tankhouse, . . . — — Map (db m57159) HM
On 3rd Street at B Street, on the right when traveling west on 3rd Street.
In the early 1960's, conflicts between bicyclists and vehicles
were increasing as Davis and UC Davis both grew rapidly.
Petitions from residents requested the creation of bicycle lanes and bike parking as the town developed. In 1965, local . . . — — Map (db m156227) HM
In 1864 it was determined that the Central Pacific Rail Road would extend eastward from
Sacramento over the Donner Summit route to become part of the transcontinental rail line.
Planners for the California Pacific Rail Road Company decided to . . . — — Map (db m144744) HM
We can help reverse the trend of decreasing wildlife populations by restoring habitat: the food, water and shelter needed by all living creatures.
The vast wetlands once found in the Yolo Basin were “reclaimed” (drained and converted to farmland) . . . — — Map (db m200823) HM
On F Street at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on F Street.
Built in 1938, this Spanish Colonial Revival building originally housed Davis City Hall and the Fire Dept. Later home to the Police Dept. Converted into a restaurant in 2005, City Hall exemplifies adaptive reuse of a historic property. — — Map (db m52581) HM
Lake Spafford occupies a segment of the
original main channel of Putah Creek. The creek,
named after a settlement of the local Patwin
Indians, was once part of an extensive network of
streams and rivers in California's Central Valley.
The rich . . . — — Map (db m187040) HM
On Russell Boulevard at B Street, on the left when traveling west on Russell Boulevard.
One of the markers erected by the California Automobile Association in the 1920s to designate the California portion of the Lincoln Highway from New York City to San Francisco. The Highway followed US 40 from Sacramento through Davis via Olive Dr. . . . — — Map (db m9040) HM
Near Russell Boulevard at Arthur Street, on the left when traveling west.
This is an original 1928 marker from the Lincoln Highway, the nation's first transcontinental road, which extended from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. This segment of the highway, now known as the Avenue of the . . . — — Map (db m57102) HM
Built in 1927, citizens purchased this entire block for
Davis' first high school. The
present gym replaced the original that burned down in 1937.
In 1981, Old Davis High was rehabilitated as new Davis City
Hall.
23 Russell Boulevard — — Map (db m145172) HM
Events in the hotel were central to Davis life for several decades during the 20th Century. This display, along with the brick outline, memorializes the structure's place in Davis history.
The line of tan bricks embedded in the sidewalk 12 feet . . . — — Map (db m91583) HM
On G Street north of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north.
This Service Center
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
honors
Richard E. Lyng
the first Californian to serve
as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
1986-1989 — — Map (db m160986) HM
Contribution by citizens financed the lot purchase and building construction for the Davis Library, which served Davis at this location from 1911 to until 1988. The building was moved to Central Park.
Text by the Davis Library . . . — — Map (db m82064) HM
Near Peter J. Shields Avenue, 0.1 miles west of A Street, on the left when traveling west.
Two olive and two fig trees survive from the Davis’ prize-winning farm of the 1850’s. Nearby also stand some of the original shingled buildings of the University State Farm, located here in 1906. From this nucleus, the University Farm has grown to . . . — — Map (db m57220) HM
Dedicated April 23, 1999
SOLANO HOUSE
Added Station
Apr. 23, 1860 - Sept. 8 1861
By
First Northern Bank
William & Linda Bernheim
The Rotary Clubs of Davis
UC Davis - Cal Aggie Alumni Association
Davis Enterprise - McNaughton . . . — — Map (db m24606) HM
Five years after the University
Farm opened in 1908, this Mission Revival station was built by
Southern Pacific to replace the
original Davisville depot, which
had served passengers since
1868. Listed in the National
Register of Historic . . . — — Map (db m144858) HM
On F Street north of 5th Street, on the left when traveling north.
You are standing in what was the north grain field on the original Jerome Davis farm (1858). This home was constructed at the edge of Davis in 1910 by local builder James Elzy Wire. It is a fine example of the craftsman bungalow, and because of its . . . — — Map (db m156224) HM
On Second Street west of F Street, on the right when traveling east.
Built in 1949-50 to replace the
original Davis Varsity, located
one block east. The current Varsity Theatre exemplifies Streamline Moderne architecture, which
emphasizes smooth curves and
horizontal lines to give a feeling
of speed. — — Map (db m145762) HM
These grounds hold the graves of pioneer
settlers in the Capay Valley and Lamb Valley
and those of Esparto's early families.
Established in 1876 by the trustees of
Capay Lodge No.230 Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
It was the first public . . . — — Map (db m135913) HM
On Third Street, on the right when traveling north.
It was here on the Sacramento River that William Knight settled in 1843. This natural landing place was to become an important landing and shipping point in this area.
It wasn't until 1853 four years after Knights death that the townsite was . . . — — Map (db m84133) HM
On Manzanita Street at California Highway 16, on the right when traveling north on Manzanita Street.
The town of Rumsey was founded in 1887 by the Vaca Valley & Clear Lake Railroad Co. and was named after pioneer landowner Capt. DeWitt C. Rumsey. This spot is the site of Rumsey Hall. Built in 1906 and known for its remarkable 1910 murals, it is the . . . — — Map (db m40547) HM
On Lisbon Avenue west of Yolo Street, on the right when traveling west.
Because of its location on the Sacremento River, it was first called Riverbank. When the post office was established 10 March 1915 the present name - for George Bryte, Sr., a local dairyman, son of Mike Bryte (early sheriff of Sacremento) - was . . . — — Map (db m41749) HM
RANCHO DE NUEVA FLANDRIA,
The Beginning of
EARLY SETTLEMENT
In 1843 or 1844, the Flemish Jan Lows de Swart, also
known as John Schwartz, became one of the earliest
known settlers in the West Sacramento area. He built a
shack . . . — — Map (db m144278) HM
Founded in the town of Washington (Broderick), Yolo County by Hapgood, Hume, and Company in 1864, California’s first salmon cannery was located on a barge moored here on the banks of the Sacramento River. This small canning operation was the . . . — — Map (db m17520) HM
On January 15, 1850, the fledging City of Sacramento, consisting mostly of tents and simple wooden buildings, stood in 6 feet of water. Two weeks later, the community pledged $200,000 to levee construction. But before the levee system could be . . . — — Map (db m15720) HM
Hydraulic gold mining was introduced in the 1850’s. Men with hoses blasted hillsides with powerful jets of water, which reduced the hills to mounds of gravel 20 times faster than with pick and shovel. Massive quantities of gravel and silt from . . . — — Map (db m15713) HM
On West Sacramento River Walk south of E Street, on the left when traveling south.
Influences on the River West Sacramento River Walk The Sacramento River originates in Siskiyou County near Mt. Shasta. Standing between that point and Sacramento is Shasta Dam, which controls the flow of water downstream. Hundreds of miles of . . . — — Map (db m137484) HM
Dedicated April 23, 2000
WEST SACRAMENTO
by
James Stretesky
First Northern Bank
Daniel F. Ramos Family
Frank C. Ramos Family
Dr. & Mrs. James O. Farley
West Sacramento Land Company
West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce
Pony Express Trail . . . — — Map (db m15708) HM
Just across the river and county line from West Sacramento is the City of Sacramento, seen here in a 1920s photograph looking east from 4th Street down J Street. California’s capital city, which is also the seat of Sacramento County, has grown from . . . — — Map (db m15723) HM
This is the historic site of the first salmon cannery established on the Pacific Coast. Begun in 1864 by William and George Hume and Andrew Hapgood on a barge moored to the bank, the cannery processed salmon harvested along the rivers – with . . . — — Map (db m15724) HM
Prior to European settlement in the mid-1800s, river flows in the valley changed with the seasons: spring torrents followed by low water during the summer. Construction of dams and other flood control measures during the mid-to late 1950s tamed the . . . — — Map (db m15715) HM
In 1846 James McDowell purchased 600 acres of land
from Jon Schwartz. James was later killed in a
barroom brawl leaving his wife Margaret a widow with
five children to raise. In August 1849 she had 160
acres of this property surveyed and divided . . . — — Map (db m144280) HM
Sacramento’s graceful Tower Bridge has spanned the river since 1936. It is the only historically significant vertical-lift bridge in California and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Lights added in 1986 in honor of its . . . — — Map (db m15711) HM
On Tower Bridge Gateway (California Route 275) at The American River, on the left when traveling east on Tower Bridge Gateway.
Identifying A Need
By the early 1930s, Americans were moving away from trains and ships and turning to automobiles as their main mode of transportation. As a result, traffic on roadways increased dramatically. In Sacramento, M Street (now . . . — — Map (db m229443) HM
[First Marker]
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898
The Spanish-American War was a turning point in American history. It marked the first time that we sent troops overseas to defend freedom. Whether at San Juan Hill or Manila Bay, these founders of . . . — — Map (db m15707) WM
On West Capitol Avenue west of Northport Drive, on the left when traveling east.
A quarter-mile "bullring", it was a whirlpool of horsepower as short track racers in jalopies and specially-built, high-horsepower machines, flew around the oval chasing the checkered flag in close, wheel to wheel action. It was a "tacky" place with . . . — — Map (db m90073) HM
On C Street at 6th Street, on the right when traveling east on C Street.
Around here someplace was almost Yolo County's first courthouse, It was here twice -- from 1851 to 1857 and from 1861 to 1863 -- when it was stolen permanently by The "Highbinders" in Woodland.
So Be It. — — Map (db m89143) HM
On Main Street west of Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Between 1889 and 1891, John Cradwick developed this large two-story block, possibly utilizing prior one story structures already present on the three-lot site.
Born in England in 1829, John Cradwick settled in the Winters area in 1875 where he . . . — — Map (db m40145) HM
On Main Street at Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Main Street.
John De Vilbiss crossed the plains in 1865 and by 1869 had settled in Yolo County. He began construction of this hotel in the fall of 1889 and when it was completed, at a cost of $51,000 including furnishings, was the showplace of the west side of . . . — — Map (db m57621) HM
The Vaca Valley Railroad built a rail and wagon trestle bridge across Putah Creek into Yolo County at this site in 1875, bringing about the birth of the town of Winters. The bridge was built with the financial assistance of prospective businessmen . . . — — Map (db m72905) HM
On Railroad Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Main Street.
By 1875 the need to easily move grain, livestock, wood and stone from Berryessa Valley and the surrounding area to markets was recognized. In the spring of 1875 work began on a 13 mile extension of the railroad from Vacaville to Theodore Winters' . . . — — Map (db m54514) HM
On 1st Street at Main Street, on the right when traveling north on 1st Street.
This commercial Italianate brick building was designed
and built by Michael O'Connell for A.S. House. It is
the oldest existing commercial building in Woodland
and was Woodland's first hotel. Originally called the
Planter House and later renamed . . . — — Map (db m154489) HM
On Dead Cat Alley west of First Street, on the right when traveling east.
Henry Aronson ran a general merchandise store
at 527 Main Street in the 1870s. On this site, at
the rear of his store, a small wooden warehouse
stood. According to local historian Will Weider, an
unknown Chinese immigrant rented the building
as . . . — — Map (db m154483) HM
This building was constructed before 1886. Brothers Joseph & George Jacobs owned the New York Store and sold dry goods here until 1895. Wallace Pond opened a business here in 1897, soon to be known as the Corner Drug Store.
Between 1898 to . . . — — Map (db m154491) HM
Dedicated April 2, 1950 by Woodland Parlor No. 90 Native Daughters of the Golden West
In memory of Frank S. Freeman, first Postmaster, and his wife, Gertrude S. Freeman, who named the City of Woodland — — Map (db m154668) HM
The Gable Mansion is an outstanding example of 19th Century Victorian Italianate architecture, one of the last of its style, size, and proportion in California. This structure was built in 1885 for Amos and Harvey Gable, pioneer Yolo County . . . — — Map (db m57627) HM
On College Street, on the right when traveling east.
Here bounded by Marshall, First, Hays and College Streets, Hesperian College moved from its downtown location the fall of 1888. The new three-story building, built by Swain and Hudson at a cost of $16,780, had a Boarding Department on the first . . . — — Map (db m18148) HM
On Main Street at 3rd Street (Business Interstate 5) on Main Street.
Peter Krellenberg was a German cabinet maker who came to Woodland from Sacramento in 1869 and established his furniture and coffin trades at this site. His family home was one door west of the shop. In 1872 Peter erected a one-story brick building . . . — — Map (db m106078) HM
On Old River Road, on the right when traveling south.
Erected to the memory of Leonidas Taylor. Born in the city of Philadelphia on the 3rd of July 1832. He grew to manhood in the city of St. Louis and was killed by the explosion of the Steamer Belle opposite this spot on the 5th of February . . . — — Map (db m16355) HM
In 1869 the branch line of the California Pacific Railroad (Cal-P) was laid, connecting Davisville to Woodland to Knights Landing to Yuba City. The tracks crossed the alley about here, angling from Main and College (then called Railroad Street). In . . . — — Map (db m55676) HM
On Bush Street at First Street, on the right when traveling west on Bush Street.
Byron Jackson (1841-1921) was an inventor and manufacturer of farm equipment and pumps. His name endures on pumps used in agriculture, petroleum, mining, power generations and water supply. Born in Ohio, Jackson moved to Woodland with his parents in . . . — — Map (db m24291) HM
William Byas Gibson came to California from Missouri by mule team in 1850 at the age of 19. In 1856 he started construction of the Gibson House which became the nucleus of his subsequent 3,000 acre estate. He married Mary Cook and they had 3 sons. . . . — — Map (db m72887) HM
The first opera house to serve the Sacramento Valley was built on this site in 1885. The present structure, built in 1895-96, continues to represent an important center for theatrical arts of that period. Erected by David N. Hershey and . . . — — Map (db m11726) HM
On Dead Cat Alley at First Street, on the right when traveling east on Dead Cat Alley.
On this site in 1853 Henry Wyckoff built the town's first store to serve travelers and farmers. In 1862 the small wooden building, owned by Franklin S. Freeman, became Yolo's interim courthouse after Woodland became the county seat. The original . . . — — Map (db m54226) HM
On Main Street (California Route 16) at 1st Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Franklin Sylvester Freeman, founder of Woodland, relocated his stock of goods and built a store in 1860-61, it is the oldest of the earliest commercial buildings in this city. It became the site of Woodland's first post office on July 5, 1861, and . . . — — Map (db m85718) HM
On Main Street at College Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
History
This sandstone building was constructed in 1903 for the Yolo County Savings Bank, which occupied part of the lower floor. Other establishments in the building were J. D. Musgrove Insurance, F. V. Stening, Tailor and occupying . . . — — Map (db m55687) HM
Near Court Street, on the right when traveling west.
"From these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion, that we highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain."
World War I
Virgil W. . . . — — Map (db m57595) WM
