Presidio of Santa Barbara facts for kids
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Santa Barbara Presidio
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A view of the main restored portion of the Presidio in 2005, with the chapel in the center
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| Location | Santa Barbara, California |
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| Built | April 21, 1782 |
| Architectural style | California mission |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000455 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 26, 1973 |
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El Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara, also known as the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara, was once a military fort in Santa Barbara, California, USA. Spain built this fort in 1782. Its main job was to protect the Second Military District in California.
Today, the Presidio is a popular place for visitors. It is a museum and an active archaeological site. It is part of the El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park.
The park has an original adobe building called El Cuartel. This building is the second oldest surviving structure in California. Only the chapel at Mission San Juan Capistrano, known as "Father Junípero Serra's Church," is older. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was the very last military outpost Spain built in the New World. It became a California Historical Landmark in 1958. In 1973, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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What You Can See Today at the Presidio
The El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is in downtown Santa Barbara. It sits between Anacapa and Garden Street on East Canon Perdido Street. The main part of the site is across from the Santa Barbara Post Office. It is also close to city hall and other museums.
The park includes a rebuilt quadrangle. This area has soldiers' living quarters and a chapel. Only two parts of the original fort still stand. One is a piece of the Cañedo Adobe. The other is a two-room soldiers' building called El Cuartel.
The Cañedo Adobe now serves as the park's visitor center. El Cuartel looks much like it did long ago. The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) manages the site. They have rebuilt much of the fort. Work is still happening to restore more parts of the Presidio.
The Presidio Chapel and its courtyard have also been rebuilt. The chapel is sometimes used for community events. These include music concerts and lectures. Sometimes, Roman Catholic weddings are held there too.
The History of the Presidio
Felipe de Neve, the fourth governor of Las Californias, chose the site for the Presidio. He saw that the coast at Santa Barbara could be attacked. So, he picked a spot near a harbor that was safe from big storms. There were also plenty of building materials and water nearby.
Construction started on April 21, 1782. Padre Junípero Serra blessed the site. By the next year, a temporary fort was ready. Local Chumash Indians helped plant a wheat field. The early Presidio had walls made of mud and brush. These walls formed a square, about 330 feet on each side. In 1783, the fort had 61 officers and men.
The first leader, José Francisco Ortega, planned the fort's defenses. He also set up irrigation for farming. He brought livestock from Mission San Buenaventura. He started orchards and large-scale farming. In 1784, Felipe de Goicoechea became the new leader. He oversaw building the fort and homes for soldiers and their families.
Two years later, in 1786, Mission Santa Barbara began construction nearby. The town of Santa Barbara grew around the Presidio. The fort offered protection for the people living there. The chapel inside the Presidio was the main church for early Santa Barbara residents. It was destroyed by a big earthquake in 1857. The mission, located a mile and a half inland, was mainly for the native Chumash people after they became Catholic.
The Presidio was built using standard plans for Spanish military forts. It used local materials like thick adobe for its outer walls. The main gate opened into a large open area in the center. The chapel was at the back of this area, facing the gate. The Presidio was never attacked by a strong army. However, nature caused damage. Several big earthquakes in the early 1800s destroyed much of the fort.
In 1855, the Presidio Chapel grew into a college. This college later became Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Today, both the church and the mission still stand. They are important parts of Santa Barbara's history.
The Mexican–American War
By the time of the Mexican–American War in Alta California, the Presidio was mostly in ruins. On December 27, 1846, John C. Frémont traveled over San Marcos Pass. He arrived at the Presidio and the town from behind. The Presidio surrendered without a fight. The Mexican soldiers who were supposed to be there were far south in the Pueblo de Los Angeles.
Frémont had heard that the Mexican army was waiting for him at Gaviota Pass. This was the only other easy way over the mountains then. So, he took the difficult, muddy path over San Marcos Pass to surprise them. But it turned out this move was not needed. Mexican General Andrés Pico later gave up his forces to Frémont. He knew the war was lost.
Preserving the Past
In 1963, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) was created. Their main goal was to restore the Presidio. In 1966, the land became a State Historic Park. On December 27, 2006, the SBTHP renewed its agreement with California State Parks. They continue to manage the Presidio. Restoration work is still happening today. On November 26, 1973, the Presidio of Santa Barbara was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Part of a Historic Trail
The Presidio of Santa Barbara is one of the places you can visit on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. This trail is part of the United States National Historic Trail program.
See also
In Spanish: Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara para niños
