Presidio of Sonoma

El Presidio de Sonoma, or "Sonoma Barracks", was a military outpost established in Alta California in 1836. It was built to house troops under General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the Commandant of the Northern Frontier, as part of Mexico's strategy to subdue the Native Americans of the Sonoma Valley and halt Russian incursions into the area.

The structure still stands at its original location (coord|38.2937|-122.4566) which is now the corner of Spain Street and First Street East, on the Sonoma Plaza in the city of Sonoma, California, United States. The building is located in the watershed of Nathanson Creek, which drains to Schell Creek.

History

The two-story adobe structure was built in stages between 1834 and 1841. During the California Republic of 1846, the Presidio was occupied by Bear Flag rebels, and afterwards it became a United States Army base. The building was remodelled in 1860 for use as a winery. It later served as a residence, a law office, and a store. The State of California purchased the property in 1958 and began restoring it. [cite web|url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/479/files/Sonoma.pdf|title=Sonoma State Historic Park (brochure)|accessdate=2008-01-01]

The installation, now part of the Sonoma State Historic Park, is open to visitors and has a small museum. A replica of California's original "Bear Flag" hangs on display there.

References

External links

* [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=479 Sonoma State Historic Park]

ee also

* Mission San Francisco Solano