Flores Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flores Peak |
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Flores Peak and sign
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| Location | Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Santa Ana Mountains |
| Built | 1857 |
| Designated | June 20, 1935 |
| Reference no. | 225 |
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Flores Peak is a mountain in Orange County, California. It stands tall over the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, where Harding Canyon and Modjeska Canyon meet. This peak is about 1,834 feet (559 meters) high. It was named after a person called Juan Flores.
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A Peak with a Past
Flores Peak has an interesting history from the 1800s. It was a hiding spot for Juan Flores and his group. They went there after a conflict where Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton and some of his team were killed.
The Great Escape
General Andrés Pico led a group of people, called a posse, to surround Flores Peak. Juan Flores made a very brave escape. He rode his horse down the steep side of the peak with two other people from his group. Three others were caught there.
Flores and another person were caught the next day by a posse from El Monte. This group was led by Frank Gentry. But Flores managed to escape again that night!
Later, Flores was finally caught in Simi Pass. This time, he was captured by a group of men from Los Angeles and soldiers from Fort Tejon.
A Historic Spot
Flores Peak is now a special place called a California Historical Landmark. It is Landmark No. 225. It was officially recognized on June 20, 1935. This landmark remembers the events that happened there.
Marker at Flores Peak
There is a marker that tells the story of Flores Peak. It says:
- NO. 225 FLORES PEAK – In 1857, Juan Flores and his group were involved in an incident where Sheriff James Barton and part of his posse were killed. They were chased by a posse led by General Andrés Pico. Flores and his men were finally caught on Flores Peak.
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Barton Mound
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| Location | Irvine, California |
| Built | 1857 |
| Designated | June 20, 1935 |
| Reference no. | 218 |
Barton Mound
Barton Mound is another important historical site. It is where a shootout happened with Juan Flores. Juan Flores had escaped from San Quentin State Prison.
Sheriff Barton's Story
On January 23, 1857, Sheriff James Barton and three of his men were killed on this hill. The men who died with him were Constable Charles Baker, Deputy Charles Daly, and Constable William Little. The hill was named Barton Mound to honor Sheriff Barton.
James R. Barton was the second sheriff of Los Angeles County. He was the first sheriff to die while serving in office.
After the Shootout
After the shootout, the Flores Daniel Gang was hunted down. Many members of the group were arrested. Some were brought to justice for the deaths of the four lawmen. Sheriff James Barton had worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for five years.
Today, Barton Mound is part of a housing area in East Irvine, California. It is near the corner of Interstate 405 and California State Route 133. This hill is also a California Historical Landmark, No. 218.
Marker at Barton Mound
California State Historical Landmark No. 218 records:
- NO. 218 BARTON MOUND – Juan Flores, who had escaped from San Quentin, was being sought by James Barton with a group of five men. Near this mound, Flores surprised Barton and three of his men, and all four were killed. When Los Angeles learned of what happened, posses were formed, and Flores and his men were captured.
