Benicia Arsenal (Benicia, California) | arsenal / weapon and ammunition storage, military

 arsenal / weapon and ammunition storage, military

www.benicia-arsenal.net/htrw/profile/history/index.htm --

"In 1849, Benicia's founders donated 345 acres to the US government for a military reservation located one mile east of Benicia.
"The Army built three installations on this property. The first, the Benicia Barracks, occupied 99.5 acres in the northwest corner of the parcel; its hospital still exists today. The second installation was the Quartermaster's Depot in the southern part of the Arsenal reservation near the waterfront, used for storing supplies from 1849-1858; none of its original buildings survive today. Third and most significant was the Arsenal. The Arsenal was established in 1850 for the storage and issuance of military materials; it was the first Ordnance Supply Depot in the West. In 1852, the US government designated the Benicia Arsenal as one of the country's five permanent arsenals. The Arsenal later took over the southern property once occupied by the Quartermaster's Depot.

"From the 1860s to 1886, relatively large sums of money were used to construct impressive examples of 19th century military architecture.

"During the Civil War, the Benicia Arsenal was a proving ground for various types of gunpowder. The Arsenal supplied materials to US troops during the Spanish-American War and World War I. With World War II, the Arsenal greatly expanded, growing from 345 acres to 2,192 acres and doubling its civilian workforce. During the Korean War, the Arsenal employed close to 7,000 workers. At one point, the Arsenal encompassed 2,728 acres.

"The 1950s showed significant decline in Arsenal activities. The US government announced its closing in 1960 and in 1964, the property was transferred to the city of Benicia, except for the 1.33 public domain acres reassigned to the Benicia Arsenal Cemetery.

"In 1965, the City leased the entire property to Benicia Industries with the understanding that important historical buildings like the Clock Tower, the Commandant's House and Camel Barn would be used by the public. These buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places."


www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/wwIIbayarea/ben.htm
www.militarymuseum.org/Benicia.html

maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=38.05307468741914~-12...