Presidio of Santa Barbara
Presidio of Santa Barbara (1782-1848) - A Spanish Presidio established in 1782 by Spanish Governor Felipe de Neve in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Became a Mexican fortification after the Mexican War of Independence and U.S. fortification in 1846 at the beginning of the Mexican War. Abandoned in 1848.
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The Spanish Period (1769-1821)
Four Spanish Presidios (Forts) were built by the Spanish Governors of California in what was known as Alta California (Upper California). The four Presidios were the Presidio of San Diego, the Presidio of Santa Barbara, the Presidio of Monterey and the Presidio of San Francisco. Each of the California Presidios was the headquarters of a military district:
- Presidio of San Diego - Military District # 1
- Presidio of Santa Barbara - Military District # 2
- Presidio of Monterey - Military District # 3
- Presidio of San Francisco - Military District # 4
Each of the Presidios had a number of missions associated with it in the surrounding military district. The Presidio was responsible for the military protection of the missions and converts but normally had only a small number of troops actually posted at each mission. The majority of the garrison remained in reserve at each presidio. The six missions associated with Presidio of San Francisco were Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana, Mission San Buenaventura, Mission Santa Barbara, Presidio of Santa Barbara, Mission Santa Ines and Mission La Purisima.
Construction on the Presidio Santa Barbara began on 21 Apr 1782 on a site blessed by Fr. Junipero Serra. The early configuration was a 330' quadrangle and the garrison in 1783 numbered 61 officers and men.
The Mexican Period (1822-1846)
The Mexican War of Independence ended the Spanish rule over California and changed the mission system to a more secular system with decreasing reliance on the church and the mission to provide for the native population. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was abandoned by the Mexican government as a fortification about 1831 and allowed to deteriorate. The church and mission continued for a while but tended mainly to the spiritual needs of the community. The mission property was eventually given away.
The American Period (1846-Present)
The Mexican War was declared by the U.S. Congress on 11 May 1846 in response to a Mexican attack on U.S. troops in Texas. The declaration of war opened the door for American occupation of California.
Current Status
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1828935
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Location: El Presidio de Santa Barbara, State Historic Site, Santa Barbara County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 34.422695 Long: -119.698856 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 92
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2,page 35
Links:
- North American Forts - Fort Presidio of Santa Barbara
- Wikipedia - Presidio of Santa Barbara
- California Parks - El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP
Visited: 5 Dec 2012
Presidio of Santa Barbara Picture Gallery
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