Fischer Hanlon House — Attraction in Benicia

A California landmark, the Fischer-Hanlon House is part of the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park which includes the State Capitol, a carriage house and servant quarters, plus a garden featuring an old wisteria tree, a Belle of Portugal rose bush and an orange tree that dates back to the 1850s and which came by ship around Cape Horn. The house was originally built in 1849 on First Street during the Gold Rush. After a fire damaged the hotel in 1856, merchant Joseph Fischer moved it and restored it at its current spot, putting the original front of the house in the back by the garden. Three of Fischer’s grandchildren last lived in the home, all three unmarried sisters with no descendants. Hanlon sisters Catherine and Raphaelita donated the home and its contents to the state in 1969, in memory of their late sister Marie. We waited the docent to arrive but she explained the house in...

My friend and I were doing a little vintage Christmas shopping in Benicia and we were happily surprised that the Fischer Hanlon House was open. The Docent that presented the tour was so wonderful. Se gave some great personal stories of the family and showed how the lady of the house would process there milk for cheeses. We were able to see the bedroom with the purple velvet wedding dress and the bedroom with the tatting hats and the gentlemen's dressing table. This just...

It was very nice and it was very interesting to learn about it’s history. I had no idea what it was, before I got there. It definitely has a spooky feel and they say it might be haunted. It’s super interesting that they still play the piano on occasion that is in the house. It’s definitely worth it to visit it. The stairs are quite steep and if you have difficulty climbing stairs be careful and hold tightly on to...