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Historic Sites in California
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Benicia Capitol State Historic Park
Benicia Capitol State Historic Park is the site of California's
third seat of government (1853-54.) It is the only
pre-Sacramento capitol that survives. The original building has
been restored with reconstructed period furnishings and
exhibits. The interior includes a board-for-board reconstruction
of the building's original floor with ponderosa pine. The desks,
three of which are originals from the Benicia period or earlier,
are furnished with a candlestick, a 19th century newspaper, a
quill pen and a top hat. For information call: (707)745-3385
Bodie State Historic Park
Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine California gold-mining
ghost town. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a
town that once had a population of 10,000 people. The town was
founded by Waterman S. Body (William Bodey), who had discovered
small amounts of gold in hills north of Mono Lake. In 1877, the
Standard Company struck pay dirt and a gold rush transformed
Bodie from a town of 20 people to a boomtown. Only a small part
of the town survives, preserved in a state of "arrested decay."
Interiors remain as they were left and stocked with goods. The
museum is open daily during summer. The park is closed in
winter. Designated as a National Historic Site and a State
Historic Park in 1962, the remains of Bodie are being preserved
in a state of "arrested decay". Today this once thriving mining
camp is visited by tourists, howling winds and an occasional
ghost. Bodie is now listed as one of the worlds 100 most
endangered sites by the World Monuments Watch. For information
call: (760)647-6445
El Presidio De Santa Barbara State Historic Park
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is the site of
the oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest in
California. Visitors can step back and view this historic site
surrounded by modern buildings. El Cuartel, the oldest existing
building in Santa Barbara, is all that remains of the last of
four Royal Presidios (Spanish military outposts) built in alta
California.The presidio in Santa Barbara was built in 1782. It
served as the military and government headquarters for the lands
between Los angeles and San Luis Obispo until 1846. Two original
buildings have been restored and five other reconstructed.
Handmade adobe blocks were used to reconstruct the Padres'
Quarters and Presidio Chapel. For information call:
(805)965-0093
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Located in Jamestown, three miles south of Sonora, the park is
the place where the Sierra Railway Company began its short-line
operation in 1897. The trains hauled passengers and freight into
the Mother Lode. The old steam locomotives were replaced by
diesel engines in the 1950s. From the end of May through the end
of summer the park's famous steam trains offer excursions
through the Sierra foothill gold country. The engines and cars
have starred in movies and television shows since 1919, in
productions such as High Noon and Little House on the Prairie.
Tours of the roundhouse and blacksmith shop are offered on
weekends. The park also features a slide program, gift shop and
picnic facilities. For information call: (209)984-3953
San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park
This 50-acre park commemorates the american takeover of
California. Both General Stephen Kearny and andres Pico claimed
victory in the bloody engagement between Dragoons and
Californios at this site. a visitor center and museum present
the action in video, maps and diorama. For information call:
(619)220-5430
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds" is the oldest
continuously used Chinese temple in California. On display are
art objects, pictures, mining tools, and weapons used in the
1854 Tong War. This Taoist temple is still a place of worship
and a fascinating look into the role played by Chinese
immigrants in early California history. The temple was built in
1874 as a replacement for another that had burned. In 1956 the
state took over operation and restoration efforts. One of the
most successful State Parks artifact conservation efforts in
recent years was made possible through funding from the
Statewide Resource Management Program. The "Chinese Lion
Dancer's Headdress" was brought back to life and placed in a
beautiful exhibit case in the Visitor's Center of the
Weaverville Joss. For information call: (530)623-5284
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