California Historical Landmarks in Contra Costa County

California Historical Landmark 1002-1
Giant Powder Company Site
Giant Highway
Point Pinole Regional Park

California Historical Landmark #1002-1: Giant Powder Company Site, California
California Historical Landmark #1002-1: Giant Powder Company Site, California
California Historical Landmark #1002-1: Giant Powder Company Site, California
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Point Pinole Regional Park
Point Pinole Regional Park

All Photos 18 October 2006
(Click Photos to Zoom)


Site of Giant Powder Company

Pt. Pinole is the last site of the Giant Powder Company, the first company in America to produce dynamite. Following devastating explosions at their San Francisco and Berkeley sites, the business moved to this isolated location in 1892. Incorporating the established Croatian community of Sobrente, the company town of Giant quickly grew into one of the North Bay's industrial centers. Explosives were produced here until 1960 and were essential to mining, dam and other construction projects throughout the Western Hemisphere.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 1002-1

Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the east Bay Regional Park district. November 18, 1992

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