Presidio of San Diego facts for kids
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San Diego Presidio
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1820 map, Presidio of San Diego
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 Location in San Diego
Location in San Diego County, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Diego, California |
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| Built | 1769 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000226 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
The Royal Presidio of San Diego was an important historic fort in San Diego, California. It was built on May 14, 1769. Gaspar de Portolá led the group that built it. This group was on the first European land trip to explore Alta California. This was the northern part of what is now California. At that time, it was a new area of New Spain, which was a large Spanish territory.
The Presidio was the first lasting European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. It was the first of many Spanish forts and missions in California. It served as the main base for Spain to settle California. The nearby Mission San Diego de Alcalá later moved a few miles away.
By 1835, the fort was mostly empty. The original Presidio site is now a hill in Presidio Park. No old buildings from the fort are still standing above ground. The San Diego Presidio became a California Historical Landmark in 1932. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Contents
San Diego Presidio History
Before the Spanish arrived, the Kumeyaay people lived at the Presidio site. The Spanish called them the Diegueños.
Early European Visits
The first Europeans to explore San Diego Bay were led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542. Sebastián Vizcaíno visited the area again in 1602. But no settlement was built until the fort began in May 1769.
On July 16, 1769, Junípero Serra started Mission San Diego de Alcalá on Presidio Hill. The Presidio had a great view of San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This helped the Spanish spot any ships that might be trying to enter the bay.
Building the Fort
Less than a month after the mission was built, local Native Americans rebelled. Four Spanish soldiers were hurt, and a boy was killed. After this attack, the Spanish built a strong fence around the fort. This fence was finished in March 1770. It had two bronze cannons. One cannon pointed towards the bay, and the other towards the nearby Native American village. One of these cannons, named El Jupiter, is now in the Serra Museum.
In 1773 and 1774, the Spanish built structures made of adobe. These replaced the earlier temporary huts made of wood and brush. Later in 1774, the mission was moved a few miles up Mission Valley. This was done to keep the Native Americans separate from the soldiers at the fort. By 1783, there were 54 soldiers stationed at the Presidio.
Mexican Control and Abandonment
In 1821, Mexico gained its independence from Spain. The Presidio then came under Mexican control. Spain officially gave up the fort on April 20, 1822. From 1825 to 1829, the Presidio was used as the home for the Mexican governor.
By 1835, the Presidio was no longer used and fell into ruins. This happened because settlers preferred to live in the new town that grew at the bottom of Presidio Hill. This town is now known as Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Preserving the Site
In 1907, George Marston, a rich department store owner, bought Presidio Hill. He wanted to protect the historic site. When he could not get public money, Marston built a private park in 1925. Architect John Nolen helped him.
Marston also paid for the Junípero Serra Museum. William Templeton Johnson designed the museum. It was built in 1928-29 in a Spanish Revival style. The museum was meant to hold and show the collection of the San Diego Historical Society. This group is now called the San Diego History Center.
People sometimes incorrectly call the Serra Museum "the Presidio." But no part of the original Presidio fort remains today. Marston gave the park and museum to the city in 1929. Presidio Park is still owned by the city of San Diego. The San Diego History Center manages the Serra Museum.
No old buildings from the Presidio are left in Presidio Park today. The Presidio site is sometimes used for archaeological digs. These digs help us learn more about its past.
See also
In Spanish: Presidio Real de San Diego para niños
