VALLEJO — Mariano Vallejo, a powerful civil and military leader when Mexico ruled California, lends his name to Solano County’s largest city.
Vallejo in 1850 wanted to establish a city that would become the capitol of the newly formed state of California. He saw the location as “the true center of the state, the true center of commerce and the true center of travel,” according to Frank Keegan’s book “Solano: The Crossroads County.”
Modestly, Vallejo wanted to name his city “Eureka.” Others insisted it be called “Vallejo” in his honor and their viewpoint won out.
Vallejo is Solano County’s city by the bay. Its western boundary of Mare Island is along San Pablo Bay. Another major waterway is Mare Island Strait.
Waterways have long shaped Vallejo’s history and culture. They prompted the Navy in 1852 to buy land for Mare Island Naval Shipyard. The first commander was David Glasgow Farragut, who later became famous for his “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” utterance during the Civil War.
The shipyard closed in 1996 and Vallejo set about redeveloping Mare Island. The old shipyard hospital building is now part of Touro University. A ship dismantler uses the dry docks. Subdivisions have been built. Mare Island has become a mixture of new stucco homes, brick buildings dating back to the 19th century and massive, World War II-era industrial buildings. Some of the old buildings are vacant, others are home to businesses.
Vallejo is Solano County’s Bay Area city, the only one with the character found in the region’s more urban, older cities along the bay. Other Solano County cities tend to be both more small town and suburban in atmosphere and Benicia is the only other one with a bay, in that case Suisun Bay and small Southhampton Bay.
Providing a transportation link between Vallejo and San Francisco is the Vallejo ferry, with the terminal along the city’s waterfront. Vallejo is planning another, $22 million ferry facility to be built across Mare Island Strait on Mare Island. The new facility is to include maintenance offices and a fueling system. It will offer ferry service.
The city also has plans for development and redevelopment in its downtown and waterfront. Plans call for more higher-density housing within walking distance of the ferry and stops for the city and regional bus systems, as well as more commercial development.
Vallejo is home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, a major Bay Area tourist attraction. Among the rides are the Boomerang Coast to Coaster, which is 12 stories tall and goes 48 mph. Another is the Superman coaster, which reaches 62 mph and has two upside down and two vertical rolls, making it a ride for those with stomachs of steel.
Next to Six Flags is the 149-acre Solano County fairgrounds, near Interstate 80 and Highway 37. Solano County and Vallejo have teamed up in an effort to turn the property into a year-round regional attraction, with shops and an amusement area near a creek park. The effort is still in its planning stages.
Vallejo has taken some hard knocks over the years. The state Legislature met there in 1852 and took only about a week to decide to move elsewhere. The closure of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1996 sent the city into a downward spiral. In 2008, Vallejo garnered nationwide publicity by declaring bankruptcy.
But the city has since emerged from bankruptcy and in 2011 passed a ballot measure creating a 1 percent sales tax to help with city finances.
With just less than 116,000 people, Vallejo is among the county’s most diverse cities. Its population is 32.8 percent white, 24.9 percent Asian, 22.6 percent Hispanic, 22.1 percent black, 0.7 percent American Indian and 11 percent some other race.
Reach Barry Eberling at 427-6929 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/beberlingdr.
Vallejo
City Hall: 555 Santa Clara St., 648-4527
Website: www.ci.vallejo.ca.us
City Manager: Daniel Keen, 648-4575, [email protected]
Mayor: Mayor Osby Davis. Elected in 2011, term expires in 2015. Reach [email protected].
Councilwoman: Marti Brown. Elected in 2009, term expires in 2013. Reach at [email protected].
Councilwoman: Stephanie Gomes. Elected in 2009, term expires in 2013. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Jesus “Jess” Malgapo. Appointed in 2012, term expires in 2013. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Bob Sampayan. Elected in 2011, term expires in 2015. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Hermie Sunga. Elected in 2009, term expires in 2013. Reach at [email protected].
Councilman: Robert McConnell. Elected in 2011, term expires in 2015. Reach at [email protected].
