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| Landmark #1002-2 | Contra Costa County | Visited: February 15, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the third and last site of the Giant Powder Company! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: 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.
OTHER TIDBITS: The blasting powder made by this company came to be known as Giant Powder among the miners who used it, sort of how many people call all bandages “Band-Aids,” and all tissues “Kleenex!” |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Giant and Atlas Rds Richmond, CA 94806 ANNOTATIONS: 5551 Giant Hwy From Los Angeles: ~387mi (623km) — 6.5hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open from sunrise to sunset! |