Solano County California
Solano County. Organized in 1850. Bounded north
by Napa and Yolo; east by Yolo and the Sacramento River,
separating it from Sacramento; south by Suisun Bay and the
Straits of Carquinez, separating it from Contra Costa; and west
by Napa. Area, 800 square miles. Assessed valuation of property
for 1874, $10,407,904.
County seat, Fairfield. Principal towns: Batavia, Benicia, Rio
Vista, Silveyville (or Dixon), Suisun, Vacaville and Vallejo.
Vallejo is a city of 9,000 inhabitants, and is separated by a
narrow strait from Mare Island, the seat of the U. S. Navy Yard.
This is the only Navy Yard on the Pacific Coast, and is one of
the finest sites for the purpose in the world.
The resources are agriculture and commerce, both of a high
character. The county embraces the region lying between the
lower Sacramento and the Coast Range, being a broad area of
valley land, with a soil of unsurpassed fertility and a climate
of delightful temperature. The southwestern portion is hilly,
but covered with an arable soil, growing the native wild oat in
luxuriance, of which hay is made in large quantities. A great
portion of the cultivated land is devoted to the production of
wheat, but all cereals, vegetables and fruits grow to
perfection. The Sacramento River flows along the eastern and
southeastern border, emptying into Suisun Bay, which indents the
southern portion; and the Straits of Carquinez and San Pablo Bay
embrace the southwestern extremity, giving near one hundred
miles of water front, with navigable streams and sloughs
reaching inland, thus offering the best facilities for commerce
and the transportation of products. Additional facilities are
given by the California Pacific Railroad, which has its initial
point at Vallejo and runs northeasterly 46 miles through the
midst of the most populous portion of the county.
Solano, though regarded as strictly agricultural, is not without
its mineral resources. In the range of hills terminating on the
Straits of Carquinez, a most valuable hydraulic cement is
obtained, which is used largely in public works. In this range
are indications of coal, and it being a part of the Monte Diablo
system, the existence of this valuable mineral is probable.
North of the town of Suisun is a range of hills from which the
beautiful "Suisun marble" is obtained, used for ornamental work,
and is also burned for lime. In the same range are found
numerous veins of cinnabar, some of which are developing into
what promise to be valuable mines.
The detail shows the county rich in natural resources, favorable
in location, and it is rapidly advancing in prosperity.
Officers: John M. Gregory, County Judge; Joel
A. Harvey, Clerk; Joseph F. Wendell, District Attorney; Eben D.
Perkins, Sheriff; Ed. F. Gillespie, Recorder and Auditor;
William G. Wyman, Treasurer; Peter Timm, Tax Collector; Joseph
Hoyt, Assessor; Albert Gunning, Surveyor; James Topley, Coroner;
Hazen Hoyt, Public Administrator; Charles W. Childs,
Superintendent Public Schools.
California Gazetteer |
AHGP California
Source: Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled
by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco, 1875
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