Camp Sonoma

Camp Sonoma (1836-1858) - A Mexican military Camp established in 1836 by Lt. Colonel Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Commandant of the Northern Frontier in present day Sonoma, Sonoma County, California. Taken over by U.S. forces in 1846 and renamed Sonoma Barracks in 1847. Garrisoned intermittently until 1858. Also known as Presidio of Sonoma and Sonoma Post.

Sonoma Barracks Entrance and Marker	Sonoma Barracks Field Gun
Sonoma Barracks Building

Mexican Period (1836-1846)

Camp Sonoma was Mexican military Camp established in 1836 by Lt. Colonel Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Commandant of the Northern Frontier. The post was established to control hostile Indians and block any Russian expansion from Fort Ross. The garrison numbered up to 40 men in a two story adobe barracks building.

American Period (1846-1858)

On 14 Jun 1846 American settlers, unaware that the Mexican War had begun, revolted against the Mexican Government and took over Camp Sonoma, capturing General Vallejo and imprisoning him at Sutter's Fort. The rebels declared the California Republic and adopted the "Bear Flag". Major John C. Fremont USA had arrived before the rebellion with sixty U.S. soldiers on an exploration mission and he joined the revolt. News that the Mexican War had started did not reach Sonoma until 9 July 1846 when Navy Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere arrived from Commodore Stockton's fleet and raised the America Flag ending the California Republic.

Sonoma Barracks was established 4 Apr 1847 and was garrisoned intermittently until 16 Oct 1851. In 1852 a military post was established and garrisoned until 1858.

Current Status

Sonoma Barracks Building

Part of Sonoma State Historic Site in Sonoma, Sonoma County, California. The restored barracks building and servants quarters remain as well as the courtyard.

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USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1799755

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Location: East Spain Street and 1st Street East in Sonoma, Sonoma County, California. Maps & Images Lat: 38.293865 Long: -122.4565794 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 89'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 94
• Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2,page 35

Links:

• North American Forts - Camp Sonoma
• California State Park - Sonoma State Historic Park
• California Military Museum - Camp Sonoma

Visited: 30 Aug 2009

Camp Sonoma Picture Gallery

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