Fairfield is located in what was once the homeland of the Suisun People, a relatively large tribe located near Suisun Marsh. A fair distance away from the Franciscan mission chain established by the Spanish, notably Mission Dolores, the Suisun were not "missionized". Indeed many mission Natives fled the harsh environment and sought shelter with the Suisun. Spanish and Natives sent to retrieve the runaways frequently clashed with the Suisuns and by 1810 a large bloody battle broke out between the tribe and the Spanish forces where about 125 warriors were killed. This broke the Suisuns, and many ended up joining the new Mission Solano. In 1817 another Spanish expedition near this spot against a Chief Malica ended with much of the tribe, some hundreds, choosing to commit suicide by setting fire to their homes and leaping into it rather than submitting to the Spanish. The survivors fled into the hills.
By the 1820s, Mexico had become independent from Spain, and Mexican General Mariano Vallejo decided to form an alliance with Sem-Yeto, also known as Chief Solano. With their help, Vallejo was able to defeat most of the surrounding tribes and carve out a semi-fiefdom in Sonoma. Solano received a Rancho in return, one of only two Natives to be recognized by the Mexican government. However after his death, Vallejo retook the property and sold it. Robert Waterman purchased the property and founded Fairfield in 1856, after which he successfully took the county seat from Benecia. The city is known for Travis AFB, and several factories nearby, including Budweiser, Jelly Belly and Clorox.
Fairfield, California
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