By Reg Page Special to the Herald As the Herald reported, the city of Benicia celebrated its 170th birthday on May 19 of this year. In an earlier article published in the Herald, I wrote that the city might not have been established at all were it not for fortuitous timing and the efforts of […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines from the week of Aug. 6, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago City Council Approves Plan for $70,000 Of New Streets (August 6, 1942) The City Council at their meeting Tuesday evening approved a plan for calling an election to vote on improvement of certain streets in the City of Benicia and the formation of an assessment district. City Attorney […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines from the week of July 30, 1942, 1967 and 1992
75 years ago Benicia Prepares For Big “Scrap Metal” Drive (July 30, 1942) Saturday will be the day that all Benicians can help the war effort in a big way. Don’t wait until the last minute to collect all your scrap metal. Let’s make it as easy as we can on the men who collect […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines for the week of May 28, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich. 75 years ago Ferry Line Boosts Commute Rates Amid Storms of Protest (May 28, 1942) In a suprise move that brought storms of protest from a host of war industry workers forced to commute to Benicia via boat, the City of Martinez workers raised its rates on the Martinez-Benicia ferry line. […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines for the week of May 21, 1942, 1967 and 1992
75 years ago Permits given for $123,000 in new homes (May 21, 1942) Some relief for Benicia’s acute housing shortage was in sight this week with the issuance of $123,000 in building permits for the construction of thirty new homes in the first unit of the Schultz tract north of the city. Work is expected […]
Throwback Thursday: Herald headlines from the week of May 14, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago Stations for emergency first aid chosen (May 14, 1942) Heads of the medical and first aid division of the Benicia Defense Council met last night in the offices of Dr. Lewis H. Sanborn to discuss the setting up of several emergency first aid stations throughout the city. Sites […]
Throwback Thursday: Week of April 27, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago City Sets $1000 License Fee For Running Pin Ball Machines (April 30, 1942) An ordinance setting a license fee of $1000 for one year for the operation of pin ball machines and similar devices in the city was passed at an adjourned meeting of the Board of Trustees […]
Benicia Historical Society to discuss history of former industrial site
As citizens continue to debate about the preservation of the historic Pacific Mail Steamship Company buildings on East H Street, the Benicia Historical Society will host a presentation Thursday to go over the long history of the site. The presentation is part of the society’s Spring Speaker Series. The event, titled “California Would Be Deficient […]
Jasmine Weis: 10 neat facts about Benicia
While the Benicia we know is a quiet commuter town, with a quaint downtown and beautiful views of the bay, the city hasn’t always been a sleepy suburbia. From hosting military operations, to housing famous figures, to even being the state capitol, Benicia has seen a lot- and it has the colorful history to prove […]
Throwback Thursday: Week of April 20, 1942, 1967 and 1992
Compiled by Nick Sestanovich 75 years ago Sugar rationing begins April 10 (April 23, 1942) Benicia swings into line with the rest of the nation next Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28 and 29 when all business establishments must register for sugar rationing. This was announced by Paul Wetmore, rationing administrator for Solano County. All stores […]