History is integral to the City of Benicia. Founded in 1847, Benicia celebrated its Sesquicentennial (150) Anniversary in 1997.

In 1850, Benicia was the third city in California to incorporate, a month after San Francisco and Sacramento. On February 5, 1853, the California Legislature voted to move into Benicia's new City Hall and make it the State Capitol. Benicia was the State Capitol for one year. In 1854, the Legislature relocated the State Capitol to Sacramento. The Benicia State Capitol and the Fischer-Hanlon House stand today in downtown Benicia. For more history, tap the Benicia Historical Museum or Benicia Historical Society Buttons below.

To start the tour, scroll down and tap the site button of where you are. There is a button at the bottom of each webpage which will take you to the next historical site on the tour.

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.

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.