Presidio of Santa Barbara

Presidio of Santa Barbara (1782-1848) - A Spanish Presidio established in 1782 by Spanish Governor Felipe de Neve in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California. Became a Mexican fortification after the Mexican War of Independence and U.S. fortification in 1846 at the beginning of the Mexican War. Abandoned in 1848.

The Spanish Period (1769-1821)

The Presidio of Santa Barbara was one of five Presidios built by the Spanish Governor of California. The other four Presidios were the Presidio of Monterey, the Presidio of San Francisco, the Presidio of San Diego and the Presidio of Tubac in Arizona.

The Mexican Period (1822-1846)

The Mexican War of Independence ended the Spanish rule over California and changed the mission system to a more secular system with decreasing reliance on the church and the mission to provide for the native population. The Presidio of Santa Barbara was abandoned by the Mexican government as a fortification about 1831 and allowed to deteriorate. The church and mission continued for a while but tended mainly to the spiritual needs of the community. The mission property was eventually given away.

The American Period (1846-Present)

The Mexican War was declared by the U.S. Congress on 11 May 1846 in response to a Mexican attack on U.S. troops in Texas. The declaration of war opened the door for American occupation of California.

Current Status

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California

USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1828935

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Location: El Presidio de Santa Barbara, State Historic Site, Santa Barbara County, California.

Maps & Images

Lat: 34.4388861 Long: -119.7148584

Multi Maps from ACME
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Elevation: 338'

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 92
Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2,page 35

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