Presidio of San Diego
Encyclopedia
El Presidio Reál de San Diego (Royal Presidio of San Diego) is an historical fort established on May 14, 1769, by Commandant Pedro Fages
for Spain
. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. As the first of the presidio
s and Spanish missions in California
, it was the base of operations for the Spanish colonization of California. The Mission San Diego de Alcalá
later moved a few miles away.
In ruins since 1835, the site of the original Presidio currently lies on a hill within present-day Presidio Park
although no structures remain. The San Diego Presidio was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1960.
people (called the Diegueños by the Spaniards).
San Diego, California
was first explored by Europeans as early as 1542, but no settlement was made until the fort was built in May 1769. The Presidio had a commanding view of San Diego Bay and the ocean, allowing the Spanish to see potential intruders.
Then, on July 16, 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcalá
was established by Junípero Serra
on Presidio Hill. Less than a month after the Mission was established, an uprising of Indians occurred; four Spaniards were wounded and a boy was killed. After the attack, the Spaniards built a stockade which was finished in March 1770. It included two bronze cannons: one pointed to the bay, the other to the nearby Indian village. (One of the cannons, El Jupiter, is now in the Serra Museum)
In 1773 and 1774, adobe
structures were built to replace the temporary wood and brush huts. Later in 1774, the Mission was moved a few miles up Mission Valley to separate the Indians from the influence of the presidial garrison. By 1783, there were 54 troops stationed at the presidio.
With Mexican independence in 1821, the Presidio came under Mexican control, and was officially relinquished by the Spanish on April 20, 1822. From 1825-1829, it served as the Mexican Governor's residence. The Presidio was abandoned in 1835, after the Mexican government secularized the missions.
, a wealthy department store owner, bought Presidio Hill with an interest to preserve the site. Unable to attract city funding, Marston built a private park in 1925 with the help of architect John Nolen
. Marston donated the park to the city in 1929.
No historical structures remain in Presidio Park today. The site is occasionally used for archaeological excavations.
Pedro Fages
Pere Fages Beleta , nicknamed L'Ós , was a soldier, explorer, and the second Spanish military Governor of Las Californias Province of New Spain from 1770 to 1774, and the Governor of Las Californias from 1782 to 1791.-Life:...
for Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the United States. As the first of the presidio
Presidio
A presidio is a fortified base established by the Spanish in North America between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The fortresses were built to protect against pirates, hostile native Americans and enemy colonists. Other presidios were held by Spain in the sixteenth and seventeenth...
s and Spanish missions in California
Spanish missions in California
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to...
, it was the base of operations for the Spanish colonization of California. The Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, in San Diego, California, was the first Franciscan mission in the Las Californias Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It was founded in 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians...
later moved a few miles away.
In ruins since 1835, the site of the original Presidio currently lies on a hill within present-day Presidio Park
Presidio Park
Presidio Park is a city historic park in San Diego, California. It is the site where the San Diego Presidio and the San Diego Mission, the first European settlements in what is now the western United States, were founded in 1769...
although no structures remain. The San Diego Presidio was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1960.
History
Prior to occupation by the Spanish, the site of the Presidio was home to the KumeyaayKumeyaay
The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai, Kamia, or formerly Diegueño, are Native American people of the extreme southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They live in the states of California in the US and Baja California in Mexico. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled...
people (called the Diegueños by the Spaniards).
San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
was first explored by Europeans as early as 1542, but no settlement was made until the fort was built in May 1769. The Presidio had a commanding view of San Diego Bay and the ocean, allowing the Spanish to see potential intruders.
Then, on July 16, 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, in San Diego, California, was the first Franciscan mission in the Las Californias Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It was founded in 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians...
was established by Junípero Serra
Junípero Serra
Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
on Presidio Hill. Less than a month after the Mission was established, an uprising of Indians occurred; four Spaniards were wounded and a boy was killed. After the attack, the Spaniards built a stockade which was finished in March 1770. It included two bronze cannons: one pointed to the bay, the other to the nearby Indian village. (One of the cannons, El Jupiter, is now in the Serra Museum)
In 1773 and 1774, adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
structures were built to replace the temporary wood and brush huts. Later in 1774, the Mission was moved a few miles up Mission Valley to separate the Indians from the influence of the presidial garrison. By 1783, there were 54 troops stationed at the presidio.
Preservation
In 1907, George MarstonGeorge Marston
George White Marston was an American politician, department store owner, and philanthropist. Marston was involved with establishing Balboa Park, the San Diego Public Library System, and the Serra Museum...
, a wealthy department store owner, bought Presidio Hill with an interest to preserve the site. Unable to attract city funding, Marston built a private park in 1925 with the help of architect John Nolen
John Nolen
John Nolen was an American landscape architect. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Nolen was orphaned as a child and placed in the Girard School for Orphaned Boys by the Children's Aid Society...
. Marston donated the park to the city in 1929.
No historical structures remain in Presidio Park today. The site is occasionally used for archaeological excavations.
Further reading
- "Early History of the San Diego Presidial District, 1542-1782." UC Berkeley thesis, 1930, by Lucien C. Atherton.
See also
- Commandants of the Presidio of San Diego
- Military Districts in Spanish California
External links
- "Use of Presidio Hill", Journal of San Diego History 45:3 (Summer 1999) by Jennifer Luksic and Nik Kendziorski
- El Presidio Real de San Diego
- "Life on Presidio Hill Under the Spanish Flag", History of San Diego (1907-08) by William E. Smythe
- Presidio Park - City of San Diego website
- Serra Museum - San Diego Historical Society website
- Early History of the California Coast, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary