Pictured: The Commandant's Residence was built in 1860 on the grounds of the Benicia Arsenal. It was designed in the Greek-Revival style as a 20 room mansion, complete with Greek inspired columns, hipped roof, 14 foot high ceilings and thick double walls. Many of the interior artistic features were of imported Philippine mahogany. Original construction cost was $35,000. This photo was taken circa 1912. In 1964 the Arsenal closed and the building was no longer government property. For several years it served as a restaurant (called "Commandant's Residence Restaurant" of course). The building still stands across the parking lot from the Clock Tower.
Lewis F. Brown (1929-2019) was elected as Vallejo’s first African-American city councilman in 1965. He also served as Vallejo’s Vice Mayor from 1967 to 1969. He was born in Mississippi. He received his law degree in 1964. Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.