William Wallace Barbour Sheldon

Who is William Wallace Barbour Sheldon?

William Wallace Barbour Sheldon, commonly known as Wallace, was an architectural engineer and pioneer of California, a leading figure of the engineering history of the California coast.

Wallace began his career with the Central Pacific Railroad and was present at the laying of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869. In 1875 began work with the Pacific Improvement Company. His most famous work was in the personal home of Mark Hopkins, which was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, the original Santa Monica Pier, and the Del Monte Hotel in Del Monte, California. He also had control of the construction of several railroad terminals, including those in Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, California and Redlands, California.