Fremont Peak

The summit bronze, dedicated in 1925 and recast in 1997, says the American flag was first raised on California soil here on March 4, 1846, by General Frémont. The routed board by the road puts the flag on March 6, the date the state register gives for the fort; Frémont was a captain then; and American sailors had already raised the flag over Monterey in 1842. The board also keeps the peak's older name, Gavilán, Spanish for hawk. No state plaque stands on the mountain; the state's bronze is a pointer eleven miles away in San Juan Bautista.

What the plaque says

John Charles Fremont 1813 - 1890 John Charles Fremont was a naturalist, explorer, scientist and captain with the U.S. Topographical Engineers on his third expedition to the West when he camped on this mountain. His assignment was to survey, map, chart trails and find the shortest route between the East and the West for the U.S. government. Besides his military activities in California, Fremont is remembered for giving San Francisco's "Golden Gate" its name; he was the military governor of California for 50 days; he was the first U.S. senator to be elected from California; he won the Republican nomination for the presidency; and he was a major general in the Civil War and was territorial governor of Arizona. Fremont's friends called him "the West's greatest adventurer," "a man unafraid," "the Pathfinder" and "the Pathmaker of the West." August 12, 1989 Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846 E Clampus Vitus Fremont Peak Memorial The American flag was first raised on California soil March 4, 1846 on this spot by General John C. Fremont Placed by Native Daughters of the Golden West San Juan Bautista Parlor No. 179 Copa de Oro Parlor No. 105 and Native Sons of the Golden West Fremont Parlor No. 44 Dedicated 1925 - Rededicated 1997 Fremont Peak Fremont Peak was called Gavilan Peak in early Spanish times Gavilan in English, meaning hawk In 1846 Capt John Charles Fremont, brevet captain of topographical engineers of the United States Army, was conducting a survey and exploring expedition in Oregon and California. His presence with an armed force in the settled area was objected to by Prefect Manuel Castro and General Jose Castro and the California authorities. He was ordered to leave. Instead Fremont prepared to resist this request He ascended Gavilan Peak where he built a fort of logs. A sapling was cut for a flagpole and on March 6, 1846, Fremont raised the flag of the United States. Castro had his forces below at San Juan Bautista. But before any attack was made, Fremont's flagpole blew down on the afternoon of March 9. Fremont taking this as a bad omen broke camp in the night and moved on toward the San Joaquin. So open battle was avoided After this episode Gavilan Peak again became the meeting place for hawks. Elevation 3169 feet

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Battle of Natividad — 5.6 mi
• Castro-Breen Adobe — 6.2 mi
• Plaza Hotel — 6.2 mi
• Mission San Juan Bautista and Plaza — 6.2 mi