VACAVILLE'S COLORFUL PAST CREATES COMMUNITY TODAY
Vacaville's rich heritage has always been fueled by strong-willed pioneers who were determined to call this place home. This is clearly evident in one historical fact about our city which, to this day, remains an unsolved mystery. So when you're enjoying a day at Andrews Park go ahead and wander over to the waterfall. It's a little hard to determine the exact position because the banks of Ulatis Creek have changed considerably since 1906, but you are in the area once occupied by Vacaville's original jail.
It wasn't much of a calaboose, or prison, as we think of them today. There wasn't all that much need for it when the county built it in 1883 on a small piece of land purchased from the city. The jail was constructed of wood, possibly railroad ties, and contained two small cells. Over the years it was considered to be an eyesore to Vacaville residents and was only used to hold hobos and drunks. People arrested for more serious crimes were usually transported to the county jail in neighboring Fairfield.
Vacaville suffered with its notorious lockup for several years until 1906 when an unusual event happened. On March 3rd, the jail was discovered lying in the creek! Some blamed a strong east wind for sending the heavy structure to its doom, but further speculation as to the culprit provided plenty of light entertainment to the Vacaville citizenry.
Police Chief Bentley and the entire police force worked diligently to solve the mystery of the calaboose caper. The finger of suspicion even went so far as to blame the sedate matrons of the Women's Improvement Club of performing the dastardly deed. One can only imagine a group of demure but determined dames in their long dresses and flowered hats of the time huffing and puffing as they levered the odious cooler into Ulatis Creek!
Well, as luck would have it, serious discussions were already underway to build a new town hall and jail. Nurtured by the dubious demise of the crook-coop, the authorization to build the new town hall gained added incentive. In fact, it added to the speculation as to which interested parties might have been responsible for the demise of Vacaville's little jail.
On July 20, 1907, the Vacaville Reporter proudly announced, "Town Hall Completed.” Contractor Gray Turns Keys Over To Town Trustees. The building a substantial one, of which the people of Vacaville are justly proud."
The lower floor housed the fire department and jail cells and the open center area contained the fire-fighting equipment, which then consisted of a hose cart. Entrance to the jail was gained from a door on the rear-left side that opened into the Marshall's office. To the right was the women's cell. Another door inside the Marshall's office entered into the two jail cells and drunk tank. To this day, the crook-coop culprit remains a complete mystery.
Today, the Vacaville Heritage Council occupies the lower floor of the "new" old Town Hall while the upper floor is home to the Solano County Genealogical Society. The Society is open from 10am-2pm on Mondays and on the third Saturday of each month.
The Vacaville Heritage Council preserves and re-photographs thousands of historical images and preserves historical information on Solano County's past, especially related to Vacaville. The Council is staffed by volunteers and is open to anyone looking for information or photos on our local history. Office hours are Thursdays from 9am-1pm or by appointment. Stop by and one of their volunteers will be happy to give you a tour of the "new" old town hall and jail with its steel cells.
By Jerry Bowen, author of Images of America, Vacaville