California's Bouncing State Capital by Various Travel Authors on Creators.com

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California's Bouncing State Capital

Like a pingpong ball, California's state capital bounced from San Jose to Vallejo, to Sacramento, rebounded back to Vallejo, moved to Benicia, and jumped to its current spot in Sacramento, with a temporary stop in San Francisco.

It's a wonder the legislators didn't get whiplash. Floods, fleas, and political intrigue contributed to the boomeranging of the capital.

While never a capital of the 31st state, Monterey was the provincial headquarters under both Spanish and Mexican rule. It was here in 1849 that 48 delegates met at Colton Hall, then the largest public building west of the Rockies, to prepare a constitution for 1850 statehood. Towns around the state lobbied to get the capital for its economic boost.

Today, visitors can walk into the same Colton Hall and view the room where history happened. The floor is original and room setup is authentic, with long wood tables, kerosene lamps, feather quills, inkwells, brass candleholders, and documents.

Nearby: 1820s Custom House; renowned Monterey Aquarium

SAN JOSE: NOV. 13, 1849-MAY 1, 1851

With the capital site not determined at the constitutional convention and officials eager to complete that final task, a delegation from the small Pueblo de San Jose enticed them with land and a promise of a suitable building.

Alas, the building was less than adequate. The brand new representatives were miserable with the cramped, poorly lighted and ventilated conditions, and infestation of fleas. Many complaints were voiced over drinks at the local saloon. In less than two years, delegates accepted an offer from General Vallejo to move the legislature.

Today, nothing remains of the San Jose capitol. The adobe building was assailed by heavy rainstorms and reduced to mud. A marker is located within a circle of palm trees between the Fairmont Hotel and San Jose Museum of Art.

Nearby: The celebrated Tech Museum of Innovation; San Jose Museum of Art; Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, with ornate ceiling and stained glass windows.

VALLEJO: JAN. 5, 1852-FEB. 4,1853

Gen. Mariano Vallejo had a grand plan to create a city on land he owned. He promised to donate 156 acres for a capitol, schools, hospitals, prison, and more, along with nearly $400,000 for construction.

When lawmakers arrived in Vallejo they found chaos, not completed construction. Primitive conditions, noise, and sparse furnishings made productive legislative work difficult. The two-story building leaked, and the officials used boxes for desks. After only a few weeks, the capital was again on the move, this time as a temporary sojourn to Sacramento from Jan. 16 to May 4, 1852, waiting to return to Vallejo when everything was complete.

Accommodations were somewhat better when the government returned to Vallejo, but still the delegates were unhappy. Vallejo, who had been generous in offering land and money, wanted out of his contract. The men considered returning to Sacramento, which had not yet recovered from a flood, staying and being uncomfortable in Vallejo, or moving to the nearby town of Benicia, which offered its new town hall.

Everyone packed up once more, as the peripatetic capital moved yet again.

Today, the Vallejo capitol has been gone for more than 100 years and a downtown plaque has been stolen. Exhibits from its days as a capital are displayed at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, a storehouse of the town's strong naval background.

Nearby: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom; Mare Island Shipyard

BENICIA: FEB. 4, 1853-FEB. 25, 1854

By now, both legislators and the public were tired of the nomadic state offices, and they settled on Benicia as a permanent capital. The town provided its two-story city hall, which gave policymakers room for committee meetings. Unfortunately, the town had few living accommodations and some men slept in saloons.

Sacramento lobbied to get the legislature back, with tempting offers of an appropriate building, furnishings, and fireproof protection of state documents. The politicians rescinded their decree of Benicia as the permanent site and named Sacramento in its place.

Today, Benicia is the only capital site with an original capitol building and is open for tours.

Nearby: Historic Fischer-Hanlon House; Benicia Historical Museum

SACRAMENTO : FEB. 25, 1854-PRESENT

This time when the legislature returned to Sacramento — after years of shuffling from city to city — the state finally found its permanent home. Transportation was in place, the city boasted dozens of hotels to house legislators and their staff, and Sacramento's two-story wooden courthouse was given over to state government.

The legislature wasn't quite finished moving, however. Intense flooding in Sacramento sent the representatives to San Francisco from Jan. 24 to May 15 in 1862 The Merchants Exchange Building, the temporary seat of government, was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906.

Today, visitors can tour Sacramento's State Capitol Museum in the 1868 statehouse. The capitol serves not only as the seat of government for the nation's most populace state but also as a repository of state history. Several historic offices from the early 1900s remain for guests to view.

Nearby: 1877 Victorian Governor's Mansion, used by the families of 13 California governors.

IF YOU GO

More information: www.statecapitolmuseum.ca.gov or www.visitcalifornia.com.

Kay Grant is a freelance travel writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.