Historical Marker · No. 921
Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer
Bard, Imperial County · California
Erected by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with E Clampus Vitus, Imperial Valley Pioneers, Phil Porretta & Family, Bureau of Land Management, Yuma County Historical Society, and Quechan Tribal Council, May 4, 1980, 1980
The plaque calls a successful defense a crippling of communications. What happened is that Spanish livestock ate the Quechan fields, an ensign had a Quechan flogged and put the brother of the leader Salvador Palma in the stocks, and when most of the soldiers marched on for California the Quechan took their river back. Bicuñer stood six months. The crossing stayed closed for decades, which was the point. The Quechan Tribal Council is named on the bronze among those who placed it.
What the plaque says
Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer To protect the Anza Trail where it forded the Colorado River, the Spanish founded a pueblo and mission nearby on January 7, 1781. Threatened with the loss of their land, the Quechans (Yumas) attacked this strategic settlement on July 17, 1781. The Quechan victory closed this crossing and seriously crippled future communications between upper California and Mexico. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 921 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with E Clampus Vitus, Imperial Valley Pioneers, Phil Porretta & Family, Bureau of Land Management, Yuma County Historical Society, and Quechan Tribal Council. May 4, 1980
Where it stands
32.81637, -114.51512 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Fort Yuma — 8.3 mi
- Mission La Purísima Concepción (Site of) — 8.3 mi
- Picacho Mines — 13 mi
- Hernando de Alarcón Expedition — 13 mi