All of the buildings on the complex are built of native California sandstone quarried right off the site behind the Museum. Their massive, austere style set a precedent at the Arsenal that was followed for most of the buildings constructed in the 1850's. The Arsenal is one of only three locations where native California sandstone was used for US military installations. The other two are Ft. Sill in Oklahoma and Ft. Tejon near Gorman, CA.

Building #7, one of the original storehouses erected in the Arsenal, is the repository for our collection of artifacts as well as the Curator's office and museum workshop. The staff and volunteers are working hard on continuing improvements to expand the museum and house our growing collections.

Building #8 was originally the Engine House and now serves as the Museum Office. This building not only served as an engine house but also a guardhouse, a cartridge bag shop, and most recently, an artist's studio. The keystone decoration of a cannon ball surmounted by a flame is the symbol of the US Army Ordnance Depot.

Building #9 houses the  main museum exhibits on the upper level.  The first phase of a new interactive exhibits created by Anne Toxey and Patrick McMillan of Toxey/McMillan Design Associates has been installed. This building is also home to the Captain Charles P. Stone Hall on its first level.

The Powder Magazine is a unique adventure, built in 1857 from native Benicia sandstone by French stonemasons. This is one of the few remaining examples of the stonemasons' art in California, from the vaulted ceilings to the carved capitals on the pillars. The Museum has restored this building and is developing a separate display of Benicia Arsenal History and is viewable by appointment only at the present time.

2060 Camel Road. Benicia CA. 94510
 Tel. (707) 745-5435   Fax. (707) 745 5869