Commanding Officer’s Quarters: Benicia’s Architectural Grande Dame
The Commanding Officer's Quarters is the house where the commanding officer of the military installation and his family lived and is located at Army Point overlooking the Carquinez Strait. It is restored as a monument to the men and women who defended the United States throughout the 117-year history of the Arsenal, and to the historians, preservationists, and city officials who refused to allow the building to wither.
The COQ’s foundations were constructed of cut and dressed sandstone blocks resembling the blocks of the warehouses and magazines. Topping the sandstone foundations was a double 18-inch brick wall with a center void that extended to the roof and served as insulation. The inner load-bearing walls and floors were also of brick, supported by massive redwood beams from the Marin Headlands. Redwood planks were used extensively in the walls. Mahogany, imported from the Philippines, was used for the stairs, banisters, wainscoting, and other artistic features of the building. The original construction cost was $35,000.
Though constructed during the command of Captain Franklin Callendar, the COQ’s first residents were the family of Colonel Julian McAllister, commanding officer of the Arsenal from 1860 to 1864 and again from 1866 to 1886. As one of the first functions held at the Quarters, McAllister hosted the wedding of his niece to Lt. Robert Knox, USN, in the summer of 1860.
The COQ’s foundations were constructed of cut and dressed sandstone blocks resembling the blocks of the warehouses and magazines. Topping the sandstone foundations was a double 18-inch brick wall with a center void that extended to the roof and served as insulation. The inner load-bearing walls and floors were also of brick, supported by massive redwood beams from the Marin Headlands. Redwood planks were used extensively in the walls. Mahogany, imported from the Philippines, was used for the stairs, banisters, wainscoting, and other artistic features of the building. The original construction cost was $35,000.
Though constructed during the command of Captain Franklin Callendar, the COQ’s first residents were the family of Colonel Julian McAllister, commanding officer of the Arsenal from 1860 to 1864 and again from 1866 to 1886. As one of the first functions held at the Quarters, McAllister hosted the wedding of his niece to Lt. Robert Knox, USN, in the summer of 1860.
During the Civil War
During the Civil War, many Californians went east in volunteer regiments and as individuals to join the Union forces. As the Army withdrew to the east, the California Volunteers filled the void. Hundreds of C.V. and regular infantry and cavalry officers rotated through the Arsenal during the Civil War, and the COQ became a meeting place to socialize and learn the latest news from the eastern battlefields.
The post-war construction phase
The COQ was altered considerably in 1876. The original entrance on the south side of the COQ was replaced by a one-story, polygonal bay window. The former side door on the east became the new main entrance. At the same time, a new porch with Corinthian columns replaced the original Doric-columned porch. The curved drive was added. Formal gardens were laid out, including a reflecting pond centered on the new entryway.
The COQ quickly became the center of the social life of the post and the surrounding county. The Sunday afternoon formal teas were well attended and provided an opportunity for unmarried officers of the Arsenal to meet young ladies of good families from Benicia and surrounding communities.
In the 1890s, the first-floor parlors were remodeled and the house was fitted for gas illumination. Two centrally placed ceiling medallions bearing pendants mark the location of the original gas chandeliers. Indoor plumbing and electricity were added in the early 20th century, and a furnace was added in 1928, at a cost of $210.
The Benet family
Perhaps the best-known family to live in the COQ was that of Lieutenant Colonel James Walker Benet and his wife Frances Rose, who were in residence from 1905 to 1911.
During the Civil War, many Californians went east in volunteer regiments and as individuals to join the Union forces. As the Army withdrew to the east, the California Volunteers filled the void. Hundreds of C.V. and regular infantry and cavalry officers rotated through the Arsenal during the Civil War, and the COQ became a meeting place to socialize and learn the latest news from the eastern battlefields.
The post-war construction phase
The COQ was altered considerably in 1876. The original entrance on the south side of the COQ was replaced by a one-story, polygonal bay window. The former side door on the east became the new main entrance. At the same time, a new porch with Corinthian columns replaced the original Doric-columned porch. The curved drive was added. Formal gardens were laid out, including a reflecting pond centered on the new entryway.
The COQ quickly became the center of the social life of the post and the surrounding county. The Sunday afternoon formal teas were well attended and provided an opportunity for unmarried officers of the Arsenal to meet young ladies of good families from Benicia and surrounding communities.
In the 1890s, the first-floor parlors were remodeled and the house was fitted for gas illumination. Two centrally placed ceiling medallions bearing pendants mark the location of the original gas chandeliers. Indoor plumbing and electricity were added in the early 20th century, and a furnace was added in 1928, at a cost of $210.
The Benet family
Perhaps the best-known family to live in the COQ was that of Lieutenant Colonel James Walker Benet and his wife Frances Rose, who were in residence from 1905 to 1911.
Colonel James Walker Benet
“The Literary Life in Benicia’s Arsenal”
From early 1905 until the summer of 1911, Colonel James Walker Benet both commanded the Benicia Arsenal and created a literary enclave. Among those who shared his home and hospitality in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, were six future writers who would go on to write countless bestsellers as well as earn four Pulitzer prizes for Poetry, the Pulitzer for Fiction and the Nobel for Literature.
These six writers were: Stephen Vincent Benet, William Rose Benet, Laura Benet, Leonard Bacon, Kathleen Norris, and Sinclair Lewis.
From early 1905 until the summer of 1911, Colonel James Walker Benet both commanded the Benicia Arsenal and created a literary enclave. Among those who shared his home and hospitality in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, were six future writers who would go on to write countless bestsellers as well as earn four Pulitzer prizes for Poetry, the Pulitzer for Fiction and the Nobel for Literature.
These six writers were: Stephen Vincent Benet, William Rose Benet, Laura Benet, Leonard Bacon, Kathleen Norris, and Sinclair Lewis.
Stephen Vincent Benet
Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943) was the author of the best-selling John Brown’s Body and the short story that became the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He won two Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, for 1929 and 1944. Also he won the O. Henry Award for best short story in 1932, 1937 and 1940.
William Rose Benet (1886-1950) co-founded, and served as editor of, the highly respected and influential literary magazine The Saturday Review of Literature. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1942.
Laura Benet (1884-1979) was the author of over 30 books for young people, writing biographies, novels and volumes of poetry.
William Rose Benet (1886-1950) co-founded, and served as editor of, the highly respected and influential literary magazine The Saturday Review of Literature. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1942.
Laura Benet (1884-1979) was the author of over 30 books for young people, writing biographies, novels and volumes of poetry.
Sather Gate at U.C. Berkeley circa 1920.
Leonard Bacon (1887-1954) was a popular U.C. Berkeley English professor from 1909 to 1923. From his visits during the Benet years, he described the Benicia Arsenal as “like the back-drop of a romantic play, all pepper trees and acacias, and fountains and pillared porches.” He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1941.
Cover art for three early Kathleen Norris novels.
Kathleen Thompson Norris (1880-1960) was a best-selling romance writer from 1911 into the 1970’s. Her sister Teresa Thompson married William Rose Benet. Her sister Margaret Thompson was married in St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Benicia with the wedding breakfast at the Benet home in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters.
Sinclair Lewis.
Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951) was the author of the bestselling Main Street, Babbitt and Elmer Gantry and several other books. His first book, Hike and the Aeroplane, was set in a town called “Santa Benicia.”
He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, for Arrowsmith, in 1926. In 1930 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first American to win this prize.
He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, for Arrowsmith, in 1926. In 1930 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first American to win this prize.