2060 CAMEL ROAD

These 1850s military sandstone structures are on the National Register of Historic Places and constitute a California Historical Landmark. Located in the Benicia Arsenal Historic District, the buildings currently house the Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns -- several permanent and temporary history exhibits in three separate spaces which tell the evolving story of Benicia, plus archives, library, and garden, including a powder magazine original to the site. The two larger buildings in the complex, formerly serving as warehouses, became known as the Camel Barns after the remainder of the "camel corps," a herd of camels which served as military pack animals in the harsh desert conditions of the American West, was brought here to be auctioned off in 1864. Built originally at a cost of $10,000 and $12,000, the Camel Barns were used by a variety of businesses after the closure of the Benicia Arsenal in 1964. The City renovated the compound through the California Office of Historic Preservation and the Benicia Department of Parks and Recreation in the 1980s and became the home of the Benicia Historical Museum in 1985. the museum's contact information, hours, and archival documents can be found on their website.

This project was made possible by the Benicia Public Library, the Benicia Historical Museum, and the Benicia Historical Society through a NorthNet Library System Grant.