Wednesday, November 30, 2005

My Life 1986

Just as it was right to include a picture of Beitzel in this series of pictures, it is also appropriate to include a picture of Bill. One of the things that I lost in my divorce was the great relationships that had been built with Bill, Janie and Jamie. All of them were an important part of my life for almost 10 years.

1986

Mark Heringer 1986

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Kings versus Bobcats

Sharon and Tim went to the Sacramento Kings versus Charlotte Bobcats basketball game. The Kings cruised to a 18 point win with a final score of 110 to 92.

2nd Grade: Art Lesson B

Sharon spent Monday morning as the art docent for Jack's second grade class. The lesson plan covered the lithograph printing technique. The class looked at three pieces of lithograph art by Currier & Ives: Home to Thanksgiving [first picture shown below]; Autumn in New England; and Spill-Out on Snow [second picture shown below].




For their art project, the class made lithograph prints of their own artwork.

Drew on iTunes!

Drew's Album, & We Hope, is now available on iTunes!

Monday, November 28, 2005

Back from Madison

Up early in Chicago, we rented a car and drove from Chicago's O'Hare Airport to Madison, Wisconsin. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive up I-90 through rolling farm country. We spent the day meeting with EPIC, the vendor of our electronic medical record system.

The rest of the trip went uneventfully. We caught a 5:30 p.m. flight from Madison to Denver and then an 8:30 p.m. flight to Sacramento. I was home in bed by about 10:45 p.m.

Drew's 21st Birthday!



Sunday, November 27, 2005

To Madison, Wisconsin NOT!

I started off early Sunday morning on a multiple leg trip for work to Madison, Wisconsin. Given that we were traveling on one of the biggest travel days of the year, I have been dreading this trip for days. Surprisingly, the lines in Sacramento were manageable, the flight to Chicago uneventful, and we got to Chicago on time.

At this point, the adventure began. Our flight to Madison was cancelled. Checking at the customer service desk, we were told that flights to Madison were booked until Tuesday. After some discussion and debate, a decision was made to spent the night that the airport Hilton. I had dinner with the group at Andiamo's in the hotel. The plan calls for us to get up early and drive from Chicago, Illinois to Madison, Wisconsin for our meeting.

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Putting up Xmas Lights

I spent most of the day putting up Christmas lights and working in the front yard. This is the sixth Christmas that I have put lights on this house. Every year I have tried to improve or expand the lights that we use outside. This year, I added lights across the front of the house above the bonus room for the first time.

Drew stopped by and the four of us had dinner at La Fuente in Elk Grove. This is the restaurant where Jack coined the infamous "Roar, the People" phrase.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Kings versus Raptors

While Sharon went out on the town with Liz and Laura, Jack and I went to the Kings versus Toronto Raptors basketball game. With the Kings trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter, the crowd started to get loud. You could see the Raptors tighten up and begin missing shots that they had been making. The Kings went on a 9 - 0 run and eventually won the game by a score of 106 to 104. Bonzi Wells made the winning basket on a post-up play with 2 seconds left.

The Kings missed 8 free throws to help make the game closer than it should have been. Combined with the fact that their defense for most of the game was nonexistent, the Kings were very fortunate to win this game! Peja has missed the last three games with a sprained right shooting hand.

 Posted by Picasa

CA Historical Landmark #719

Grave of
Elitha Cumi Donner Wilder

California State Historical Landmark #719

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located in the Elk Grove masonic cemetary at the junction of Highway 99 and Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, California. There are 57 other California State Historical Landmarks in Sacramento County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 24.510 W 121° 23.213.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.



This survivor of the ill-fated Donner Party was the daughter of George and Mary Blue Donner. Born near Springfield, Illinois, in 1832, she arrived in California in December 1846 with her sister, Leanna Charity Donner, and was rescued by the first relief party to reach the tragic scene. Married to Benjamin W. Wilder in 1853, she died on July 4, 1923, survived by her sister and two children.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Thanksgiving 2005

After the Run to Feed the Hungry, we stopped by Brun and Kim's for a short visit; they had done the 5k with their two daughters. From there, we headed to Sharon's parents for Thanksgiving dinner. The group included her brother Tom's family (Tom, Becky, Kevin and Eric), her brother Tim's family (Tim, Kathy, Erin and Eileen), her parents (Rosemary and Jack), a friend of the family (Jim), Sharon, Drew, Jack and I. Tom barbecued a turkey on the Weber.

The kids had a great time playing hockey. Tim and I joined in as goalies for part of the contest.

2005 Run to the the Hungry

Sharon, Jack and I ran the Run to Feed the Hungry. Jack and I ran the 10k course in 1:15:47.8 for an average pace of 12:13. This was about 10 minutes faster than the 10k that Jack and I ran on the Fourth of July.

Moblog Run to Feed the Hungry

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Kings versus Nets

With Liz back from the east coast, Sharon and Liz went to the Kings versus Net game. The Kings used a strong third quarter to win by a score of 114 to 105.

Golf at Teal Bend

Sharon, Jack and I played 9 holes of golf at Teal Bend in the late afternoon. With the temperature in the mid-70's, the weather was absolutely gorgeous; it was almost impossible to believe that it was late November. With the help of a couple of mulligans off the tee, I shot a 51. I got two pars: one on a par four and one on a par three. On the ninth, I hit a seven iron to front of a large green and two putted from about 65 feet.

Moblog Golf at Teal Bend

My Life 1985

I have always liked this picture. It was taken in August of 1985 at Lake Trinity. We did not start going to Lake Almanor until 1988. Left to right, it includes Tomasin, Nooter, Wallen, Dave Hare and I. Dave Hare died in February 1992 from complications after a long fight with brain cancer.

1985

click on the picture for a larger copy!
Mark Heringer 1985

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Review of the Stones Show

Sacticket.com review of last Tuesday night's Rolling Stones Concert at SBC Park:

Big splash by Stones at rockin' SBC Park

Rollings Stones Setlist

Rolling Stones Setlist
SBC Park - November 17, 2005


1.  Start Me Up
2. You Got Me Rocking
3. Live With Me
4. Tumblin' Dice
5. Oh No, Not You Again
6. Rain Fall Down
7. Sweet Virginia
8. All Down the Line
9. (Night Time Is) The Right Time
10. Slipping Away
11. Infamy
12. Miss You
13. Rough Justice
14. Get Off of My Cloud
15. Honky Tonk Women
16. Sympathy for the Devil
17. Paint It Black
18. Brown Sugar
19. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
- Encore -
20. You Can't Always Get What You Want
21. Jumpin' Jack Flash

Monday, November 21, 2005

iTunes outsells stores

Apple Computer's iTunes music store now sells more music than Tower Records or Borders.

As I said almost two years ago, the record stores are going to have an increasingly difficult times competing with this type of technology.

Review of McCartney Show

Sacticket.com review of last Wednesday night's Paul McCartney Concert at Arco Arena:

McCartney & Co. deliver a soaring show

Paul McCartney played 37 songs: four from his new album and 26 Beatles songs.

Paul McCartney Setlist

Paul McCartney Setlist
Arco Arena - November 16, 2005

1.  Magical Mystery Tour - Magical Mystery Tour, 1967
2. Flaming Pie - Flaming Pie, 1997
3. Jet - Band on the Run 1974
4. I'll Get You - The Beatles Second Album, 1964
5. Drive My Car - Yesterday and Today, 1965
6. Till There was You - Meet the Beatles, 1963
7. Let Me Roll It (Foxy Lady Jam) - Band on the Run, 1974
8. Got to Get You in M.y Life - Revolver, 1966
9. Fine Line - Chaos & Creation in the Back Yard, 2005
10. Maybe I'm Amazed - McCartney, 1970
11. Long and Winding Road - Let It Be, 1970
12. In Spite of All the Danger - Quarry Men, 1958
13. I Will - The White Album, 1968
14. Jenny Wren - Chaos & Creation in the Back Yard, 2005
15. For No One - Revolver, 1966
16. Fixing a Hole - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, 67
17. English Tea - Chaos & Creation in the Back Yard, 2005
18. I'll Follow the Sun - Beatles '65, 1965
19. Follow Me - Chaos & Creation in the Back Yard, 2005
Bouree (Bach) Paul & George used to do together
20. Blackbird - The White Album, 1968
21. Eleanor Rigby - Revolver, 1966
22. Too Many People - Ram, 1971
23. She Came in Through the Bathroom Window - Abbey Road, 69
24. Good Day Sunshine - Revolver, 1966
25. Band on the Run - Band on the Run, 1974
26. Penny Lane - Magical Mystery Tour, 1967
27. I've Got A Feeling - Let It Be, 1969
28. Back in the USSR - The White Album, 1968
29. Hey Jude - A-side Single, 1968
30. Live and Let Die - A-side Single, 1973
- 1st Encore -
31. Yesterday - Yesterday and Today, 1965
32. Get Back - Let It Be, 1969
33. Helter Skelter - The White Album, 1968
- 2nd Encore -
34. Please Please Me - Introducing the Beatles, 1964
35. Let It Be - Let It Be, 1969
36. Sgt. Pepper's (reprise) - St. Peppers, 1967
37. Carry That Weight (last half The End) - Abbey Road, 69

TiVo to iPod downloads

This is a cool announcement: TiVo to allow iPod downloads. Although you can do it now, you have to jump through some hoops to make it happen. It would be great to have it supported in the TivoToGo software!

My only concerns is that Tivo is notorious for announcing things ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and then not delivering them in a timely fashion. TivoToGO was originally announced in late 2003, but did not start showing up until the first quarter of 2005.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Consumes River Preserve

Sharon, Jack and I went out to the Consumes River Preserve. We hiked about 1.5 miles on the Lost Slough Wetlands Walk and looked at the migrating waterfowl.

Consumes River Preserve Map

Saturday, November 19, 2005

The California Tour

Continuing my week as a roadie, Sharon and I went to see the Eagles at Arco Arena. We had tickets in one of the suites at about 4:30 from the main stage.

Probably due to my familarity with the music, I enjoyed this concert more than the Rolling Stones and as much as Paul McCartney. Sharon was feeling under the weather, but managed to rally and have a good time.

Moblog Eagles Concert

Tivo Downloadable Content

TiVo moving towards broadband delivery of shows and movies.

Friday, November 18, 2005

CA Historical Landmark #846

Burlingame Railroad Station
California State Historical Landmark #846

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This first permanent building in the Mission Revival style of architecture was designed by George H. Howard and J.B. Mathison and financed by local residents and the Southern Pacific Railroad. It opened for service on October 10, 1894. The roof used 18th century tiles from the Mission San Antonio de Padua at Jolon and the Mission Dolores Asistencia at San Mateo.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Paul McCartney Concert

When I first started talking about the schedule for this week, Sharon started calling me roadie. Following up last night's Rolling Stones concert at SBC Park, Sharon and I went to see Paul McCartney at Arco Arena. Sharon is a big fan of Paul McCartney and I give her tickets to the concert as an anniversary present when we were in Half Moon Bay in October.

It was a great concert and we had wonderful seats (Floor 3 Row V Seat 3 and 4). The seats were in the middle and a little over half way back on the floor. Joe and Cindy Larkin were there and we visited with them for a while before the concert started.

Moblog Paul McCartney pic 1

Moblog Paul McCartney pic 2

Moblog Paul McCartney pic 3

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

A Bigger Bang Tour

Last Friday, Hunter called me and said "remember at Almanor when I said that I had tickets for the Rolling Stones? Well, the concert is on Tuesday!"

I ended up picking up Hunter in Wilton plus Joy, Craig and Keith in Davis. The five of us met Robbie and Snipes near PacBell Park. The weather was perfect; it had been in the mid 70s in San Francisco during the day.

It was more than a little weird to stand, listen to the music and have a beer with Robbie and Hunter. I have known Hunter since the late 1970's and Robbie since he was born. To think that Robbie is now 21 and scratching and laughing with Hunter and I makes me feel like I fell into some kind of time warp.

The Rolling Stones put on a great show. We had seats about two-thirds of the way back from the stage on the field. At one point, the band rode a stage out into the middle of the field to a point about 40 feet away from us. They performed a couple of songs before going back to the main stage. It was very cool to be able to see Mick and Keith perform up close and personal.

Moblog Rolling Stones pic 3

Moblog Rolling Stones pic 2

Moblog Rolling Stones pic 1

Week 2 NBA Power Rankings

In their Power Rankings for week two of the season, ESPN ranks the Kings 25th, down from 16th in week one. After watching the second half of the debacle against the Knicks Sunday night, I would have probably ranked them 27th, ahead of only the Bobcats, Hawks and Raptors.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

2005 Soccer Party

We went to Jack's end of the season soccer party at Original Pete's. When the coach gave each boy their trophy, he asked them if they were coming back next year. Jack said no! He said that he was going to play football...


Saturday, November 12, 2005

2005 Soccer Game 9

Jack played in his ninth and final soccer game of the year. He made one goal on eight shoots; this is the most shots that he has taken in a game this year. He had two or three shots that were just wide of the right post. Jack played midfielder in the first quarter, goalie in the second quarter, forward in the third quarter and then sat out the last period.

His team fell behind by the score of 0 to 2 in the first quarter. The whole team seemed like they were in slow motion. Then in the second period, one of his teammates caught fire and scored four goals. They were ahead 4 to 2 at half time.

His team won the game by a score of 6 to 2 and ended up with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss for the season. Jack was sick and missed one game. In his second season of soccer, he scored 11 goals [1-1-1-2-2-3-0-0-1] in the nine games. He will also tell you that he scored two goals in scrimmages.

Last year, his team had 4 wins, 4 losses and 1 tie and he scored 14 goals in 8 games. Last year was a much different situation. This year's team is much stronger than last year's team. This year, the coach used the stronger kids at fullback and midfielder a lot.

I hope that we can get Jack to play another season of soccer. He has talked constantly over the last three months about wanting to play football next year.

2005 Soccer Game 9 pic 3

2005 Soccer Game 9 pic 2

2005 Soccer Game 9 pic 1

Close Encounter with Mars

I dragged Sharon and Jack outside to look at Mars in the Eastern Sky. Mars is about the closest it's been to Earth in two years, and the nearest it will be to us for another 13 years.

Moblog Soccer Game 9

Friday, November 11, 2005

Kings versus Nuggets

Jack and I went to the Kings versus the Nuggets game. The Nuggets, who downed the Kings 107-91 Wednesday night in Denver, have not won at Arco Arena since Jan. 7, 1997 - 17 games and counting.

Peja had 15 points in the first quarter and the Kings ran out to a 10 point. They led by as many as 22 points in the second half and eventually won by a score of 101 to 85.

Amazingly, Peja is shooting 50.0% from three point range (19 for 38) for the season; this compares to an overall shooting percentage of 41.9% (39 for 93). Peja took a couple of three point shots in the game that were pure heat checks. You could literally see him thinking "let's just see how hot I really am."

I still worry about the Kings offense. While they played well in the first half, there were times in the fourth quarter that the ball would come into Miller in the high post and everyone would stand around. During this stretch, the Nuggets cut the lead from 22 points down to 9.

After the Kings 0 and 2 start, I predicted that they would start the season 0 and 6. Their record is now 2 and 4.


2005-06 Kings Season

During the 2005-2006 Sacramento Kings season, the Kings
were 8 and 8 in games which I saw in person, including:

REGULAR SEASON


PLAYOFFS




2023-2024 Season [3-2]
2022-2023 Season [5-3]
2021-2022 Season [1-5]
2020-2021 Season [1-0]
2019-2020 Season [1-4]
2018-2019 Season [7-4]
2017-2018 Season [5-2]
2016-2107 Season [5-3]
2015-2016 Season [2-2]
2014-2015 Season [1-4]
2013-2014 season [3-2]
2012-2013 Season [1-0]
2011-2012 Season [3-2]
2010-2011 Season [3-6]
2009-2010 Season [4-7]
2008-2009 Season [2-7]
2007-2008 Season [7-7]
2006-2007 Season [5-9]
2005-2006 Season [8-8]
2004-2005 Season [10-4]
2003-2004 season [12-3]

Sherry's Birthday!



Thursday, November 10, 2005

Pistons outshine Suns

I watched the end of the Pistons versus Suns game. Detroit outscored the Suns 12-2 over the last four minutes to win 111 to 104. I saw the Pistons beat the Kings on Tuesday night. Although it is early, the Pistons look very, very good.

Wolf Den Meeting #2

We held the November meeting of Jack's cub scout den in our garage. I took responsiblity for the program and ran the boys through a number of drills to complete the Feats of Skill Achievement section of the Wolf requirements. The requirements included: (1a) playing catch with someone 10 steps away; (1b) walking a line back and forth, doing it sideways, and then walking the edge of a board six steps each way; (1c) doing a front roll; (1d) doing a back roll; (1e) doing a falling forward roll; (1f) seeing how high you can jump; (1g) elephant walking, frog leaping and crab walking; (1j) using a basketball or playground ball to do a chest pass, a bounce pass, and an overhand pass; (1k) doing a frog stand; and, (1l) running in place for 5 minutes.

One of my favorites was the walking on the edge of a board. I got a 10 foot 2x4 to use as a balance beam. It took some practice before the boys could walk the length of the board.

My other favorite was seeing how high you can jump. I put a big piece of butcher paper on one wall. Each boy got a different color crayon. From a stopped position, he would jump and see how high he could mark the wall.

All of the boys are going to sleep good tonight!

History's Worst Software Bugs

Wired News: History's Worst Software Bugs

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

CA Historical Landmark #957

Wente Bros. Winery
California State Historical Landmark #957

See it mapped at Geobloggers!

Here the first Wente vineyard of 47 acres was established by C.H. Wente in 1883. In 1935 his sons, Ernest and Herman, introduced California's first varietal wine label, sauvignon blanc. The efforts of the Wente family have helped establish the Livermore Valley as one of the premiere wine-growing areas of California. In their centennial year, Wente Bros. is the oldest continually operating, family-owned winery in California.

N 37° 39.8949 W 121° 43.5384

California Historical Landmark #641

Concannon Vineyard Winery
California State Historical Landmark #641

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 4590 Tesla Road at South Livermore Ave, 2 miles southeast of Livermore, California. There are 35 other California State Historical Landmarks in Alameda County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 40.004 W 121° 44.387.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.



Here, in 1883, James Concannon founded the Concannon Vineyard. The quality it achieved in sacramental and commercial wines helped establish Livermore Valley as one of American's select wine growing districts. Grape cuttings from this vineyard were introduced to Mexico between 1889 and 1904 for the improvement of its commercial viticulture.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Kings versus Detroit

When we draw the Kings tickets each year, I try to get the first game and the last game of the season. We did not get the first game this year so I decided to buy a single ticket from Tickermaster [Section 101 Seat H-16] and go to the game by myself.

The Kings had not lost on opening night since 1997 and Detroit had not won a game at Arco Arena since February 26, 1996. Trailing by as many as 25 points in the second half, the Pistons beat the Kings by a score of 102 to 88.

The Kings looked like a couple on a first date that were still trying to figure each other out, while the Pistons looked a team that has been in the NBA Finals the last two years. Bibby and Peja slipped back into a their shooting funks. Bibby was 5 for 13 (38%), while Peja was 4 for 13 (31%).

In contrast, Maurice Evans looked great coming off the bench for Detroit. He scored 12 points in 25 minutes (Peja only had 9 points). As I said in September, I am going to miss Evans and Songaila.

Monday, November 07, 2005

My Life 1983

While they are not perfect, I now have pictures to represent my life from 1983 to 1989. I regret that I do not have more pictures of me with both Drew and Morgan. The fate of these pictures is a story for another day. Once I get to 1990, I have some pictures that I am very happy with and an increasingly boarder choice of pictures.

This picture for 1983 is one of two in the series to date that I do not like; the other is the picture for 1977. I know that Wallen has some pictures in storage for this time frame, but it is probably going to take a trip to the Northwest to get them.

I am going to use this picture as a piece holder for the moment. I am working to replace it and the 1977 picture with better pictures in the next year.

1983

click on the picture for a larger copy!
Mark Heringer 1983

All of the My Life Photos can be found here.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Saturday, November 05, 2005

A Taste of the Arts

Sharon and I went to the 3rd Annual A Taste of the Arts with her two brothers and theirs wives. The events is a fundraiser for the St. Francis High School visual arts, performing arts and the music programs.

Moblog A Taste of the Arts

2005 Soccer Game 8

Jack played in his eighth game of the season. His team played the only team that they have lost to this year. Jack played midfielder in the first half and had four shots on goal but did not score. There was also a great corner kick by one of his teammates that crossed right in front of him with an open net, but he could not get his foot on the ball. Although most of the first half was spent in the other team half of the field, his team fell behind 0 to 2 at halftime.

In the third period, Jack played fullback. His team scored two goals to tie the game at 2 to 2.

At the beginning of the fourth period, the coach's wife walked towards Jack with the goalie's jersey. My heart sunk into my stomach. Jack has only played goalie one other period this year; he gave up the winning goal in week three.

This team scored with about two minutes to go and won the game 3 to 2. Their record for the season is 8 wins and 1 loss.

2005 Soccer Game 8 pic 1

Moblog 2005 Soccer Game 8

Thursday, November 03, 2005

2nd Grade Teacher Conference

Sharon and I went to the school and had a parent teacher conference with Jack's second grade teacher.

more urrggghhhh

If I did not have enough in the last three days to make me depressed about the Kings chances this year, here is part of ESPN's Bill Simmons' NBA Preview Part II:

FOUR TEAMS THAT SEEM TO BE OVERRATED BY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ON THE PLANET FOR WHATEVER REASON

2. Sacramento

Your eight-man rotation for the Kings this season: Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Bonzi Wells, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Brad Miller, Kenny Thomas, Morrissey, Trent Reznor.

All right, I made the last two up. But from a chemistry standpoint, has there ever been a more depressing team than the Kings? All of these guys carry themselves like Charlie Sheen in "Ferris Bueller" -- you might not see a single smile from a Kings starter this season. (Poor Rick Adelman should just start dressing in all black like Richard Lewis.) Seriously, I like Geoff Petrie, but how could he slap together a nucleus like that without passing out complimentary Prozac during games? I'm depressed just writing about these guys -- instead of warmup jackets in the layup lines, they should wear trench coats. I see these guys playing the part of brooding underachievers for a few months, then Adelman getting fired and being replaced by either Katie Couric or Richard Simmons.
Simmons goes on to pick the Kings to finish 10th in the Western Conference with a record of 39 and 43...

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

urrggghhhh

The Sacramento Kings are off to a miserable 0 and 2 start. Against the Hornets, Jack could not stand to watch any more and went downstairs to watch cartoons!

The Kings failed to score at least 90 points in back-to-back games for the first time in almost five years, since November 28 and 29, 2000.

Continuing their poor shooting of the preseason, Bibby and Peja are shooting a combined 26.5%. Bibby is 5 for 22 (22.7%) and 1 for 5 (20.0%) from three point range in the first two games, while Peja is 8 for 27 (29.6%) and 3 for 11 (27.2%).

Bibby had eight points in the first game and five points in the second game. Prior to Tuesday's game, Bibby had scored in double figures in 46 consecutive games going back to January 15.

At this point, I am predicting that the Kings will start the season with 0 wins and 6 losses. Unfortunately, I will see two of those games in person.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Glen Cove

I spent most of the day in the SOMA committee meeting at Glen Cove.

CA Historical Landmark #574

Site of the State Capitol at Vallejo
California State Historical Landmark #574

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps



Vallejo was the official seat of State government from February 4, 1851 to February 4, 1853. The Capitol, shown on the plaque, within which the legislature convened in 1852 and 1853, stood near this spot.

From the Vallejo Museum Site:
Tenure As State Capital: 1851-1853


With the onslaught of Americans participating in the California Gold Rush, General Vallejo saw that the territory was destined to pass from the hands of the Mexican government to become part of the United States. He made a strong attempt to become involved in the establishment of a state capital on his lands. With statehood in 1850, the new California State Legislature considered Vallejo's offer to move from San Jose. He offered to lay out a city, to be named "Eureka" or a name the Legislature might suggest, and to donate to the state 156 acres for the construction of a state capitol, university, botanical garden, state penitentiary, schools, hospitals, and asylums. In addition to the free land, General Vallejo also promised to give $370,000 to pay for construction of the buildings. A state-wide referendum on the matter was held in late 1850, and General Vallejo's proposal was accepted, with one change-the city would be called "Vallejo," after its founder.

In 1851, the State Senate appointed a commission to layout the new state capital. They reported back that they had placed the capitol, the governor's house, the university and several other public institutions on an elevated hill "immediately above the secure and commodious harbor of Napa Bay, from which, on a clear day might be seen the city and shipping of San Francisco." The lunatic asylum was to be placed nearby, and the penitentiary on the nearest prominent hill to the Carquinez Straits, to serve as a warning to "rascals" on their way to the goldfields. By late 1851, all was in readiness, and the California Legislature convened in 1852 in Vallejo.

Unfortunately for the legislators, the State Capitol promised by General Vallejo had not been built, and they were forced to meet in a leaking old structure, using barrels for seats and boxes for desks. Motions were immediately introduced to move the state capital out of Vallejo, and, after meeting for only eleven days, the Legislature moved to Sacramento for the remainder of the session. The following year, the Legislature again convened in Vallejo, for the purpose of moving the capital to Benicia, and on February 4, 1853, exactly two years after the seat of government came to Vallejo, it was moved to Benicia.