Historical Marker · No. 636
Site of Royal Spanish Presidio of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County · California
Erected by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the City of Santa Barbara, the Grand Parlors of the Native Daughters and Native Sons of the Golden West, the Santa Barbara Historical Society, and the Boy Scouts of America, 1958
Spain's last fort in Alta California went up in 1782 to secure the channel, four years before the mission. The bronze says it provided the benefits of government to the inhabitants of the region — the inhabitants were Chumash, and Chumash hands built the walls. Earthquakes and a growing downtown took nearly all of it. Two buildings stand on their original footings, and El Cuartel lasted for a dull reason: somebody always lived in it, three generations of a gate guard's family and then the Boy Scouts named on this plaque.
What the plaque says
Site of Royal Spanish Presidio of Santa Barbara This presidio was established under orders of King Carlos III, April 19-21, 1782, by Governor Felipe De Neve, Padre Junipero Serra and Lieutenant José Francisco Ortega, to provide the benefits of government for the inhabitants of the Santa Barbara Channel region of California. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 636. Plaque placed by the California State Park Commission in cooperation with the City of Santa Barbara, the Grand Parlors of the Native Daughters and Native Sons of the Golden West, the Santa Barbara Historical Society, and the Boy Scouts of America. June 18, 1958.
Where it stands
34.42255, -119.69865 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Old Lobero Theatre — steps away
- Casa Covarrubias — steps away
- Hill-Carrillo Adobe — steps away
- De La Guerra Plaza — steps away