Portolá Trail Campsite 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Portolá Trail Campsite No. 2 |
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Beverly Hills in 1919
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| Location | La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills |
| Built | 1769 |
| Designated | Nov. 5, 1958 |
| Reference no. | 665 |
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The Portolá Trail Campsite No. 2 is a special place in what is now Beverly Hills, California. It marks where the first European explorers camped overnight in this area. This happened on August 3, 1769.
The campsite was part of the Portolá expedition. This journey was led by a Spanish military officer named Gaspar de Portolá. His goal was to explore and claim new lands for the Spanish Empire in North America. This process is called colonization.
Today, the Portolá Trail Campsite No. 2 is recognized as a California Historical Landmark. It was given this special status (No. 665) on November 5, 1958. You can find this historic spot at 325 South La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills. It is located between Olympic Boulevard and Gregory.
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The Portolá Expedition
The Portolá expedition was a very important journey. It led to the founding of the first Spanish mission in the Los Angeles Basin. This mission was called Mission Vieja, and it was established on September 8, 1771. This helped to establish Alta California, which was the Spanish name for what is now California.
Journey to Campsite No. 2
The explorers arrived at Campsite No. 2 from their previous stop. This was the Portolá Trail Campsite No. 1. That first campsite is now located in Elysian Park. Before reaching Campsite No. 1, the expedition traveled through the San Gabriel Valley. Later, the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel would be built there in 1776.
Continuing the Journey
After camping at Portolá Trail Campsite No. 2, the expedition continued their journey. They traveled west towards Santa Monica Bay. From there, they turned north. This path led them to where the Mission San Fernando Rey de España would be built in 1797.
From San Fernando, the expedition headed west again. They traveled to Ventura. This is the site where the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura was built in 1782.
Important People on the Expedition
Several key people were part of the Portolá expedition. Their names are listed on the state historic marker at the campsite.
- Gaspar de Portolá (1723–1786): He was the leader of the expedition. He later became the first Governor of the Californias.
- Captain Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada (1725–1781): A brave soldier who became the third Governor of The Californias.
- Lieutenant Don Pedro Fages (1734–1794): Another soldier who served as Lieutenant Governor under Gaspar de Portolá.
- Sgt. José Francisco Ortega (1734–1798): A soldier and one of the first settlers in Alta California. He later became a leader at the Presidio of San Diego.
- Father Juan Crespí (1721–1782): A priest who carefully wrote down everything that happened during the expedition. He also helped found the first mission in the area, Mission Vieja.
- Father Francisco Gómez: He was a chaplain for the expedition. He came from Mission San Diego de Alcalá and later moved to Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.
Historic Marker Text
The marker at the site shares this important information:
- NO. 665 PORTOLÁ TRAIL CAMPSITE, 2 – The expedition of Don Gaspar de Portolá from Mexico passed this way en route to Monterey to begin the Spanish colonization of California. With Captain Don Fernando Rivera y Moncada, Lieutenant Don Pedro Fages, Sergeant José Francisco Ortega, and Fathers Juan Crespí and Francisco Gómez, Portolá and his party camped near this spot on August 3, 1769.
