Benicia California Ruins Of Fire Damage Arsenal Storehouse 1912 Real Photo Postcard
The postcard depicts the ruins of a building, likely part of the Benicia Arsenal, following a significant fire in October 1912. The Benicia Arsenal, established in 1851 in Benicia, California, was a crucial U.S. Army ordnance facility, serving as the primary supply depot for military operations throughout the American West and Pacific. The robust stone construction visible in the image suggests a key administrative or storage structure, now hollowed out by the inferno.
Fires posed a common and serious threat to industrial and military complexes during the early 20th century, often resulting in widespread destruction due to building materials and the combustible nature of stored goods. The 1912 fire was a notable event in the arsenal's history, a facility that continued its vital role as a West Coast logistical hub through both World Wars, demonstrating the persistent challenges and eventual recovery of such essential national defense installations.
Fires posed a common and serious threat to industrial and military complexes during the early 20th century, often resulting in widespread destruction due to building materials and the combustible nature of stored goods. The 1912 fire was a notable event in the arsenal's history, a facility that continued its vital role as a West Coast logistical hub through both World Wars, demonstrating the persistent challenges and eventual recovery of such essential national defense installations.
