Pictured: The state capitol building in Benicia was originally built to be Benicia's city hall. However, with all the chaos surrounding finding a suitable location for the state legislators to meet, city leaders offered the building to them. Between February 9, 1853 and February 25, 1854, 90 lawmakers held part of California’s fourth and fifth legislative sessions in the new building and several significant laws were passed during their stay in Benicia.
Richard Downey Dunphy (1841-1904) was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland. He was a coal heaver aboard the USS Hartford at the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Both of his arms were amputated as a result of gunshot wounds suffered during the battle. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courage. After the Civil War he worked at Mare Island Navy Yard. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Contacting GSVB
Mailing Address
Genealogy Society of Vallejo-Benicia c/o: Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum 734 Marin Street Vallejo, CA 94590