Adventure 051, Site 180 – Presidio/Barracks

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 051, Site 180 – Presidio/Barracks

California Landmark Number: 316

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 20, 2012

Location:

Latitude: 38° 17.62′ N

Longitude: 122° 27.397′ W

Address: NW corner of E Spain and 1st St E, Sonoma

Description:

Date Built: 1836

After we were leaving Mission Solano, we saw the barracks, but no Presido, But the barracks are at the location where the maps say the Presido is. Slowly, very slowly, in Thing One's mind he relizes that the Presidio of Sonoma and the Barracks occupy the same ground. It depends on which lens of history you are looking at the building. During the Mexican occupation, it is the Presidio. Upon “liberation” by the Bear flag revolution and the US Army a little bit later, it is the Barracks. Now Thing One gets it. In any case, we have our picture and off we go.



NO. 316 PRESIDIO OF SONOMA (SONOMA BARRACKS) - Sonoma Barracks was erected in 1836 by General M. G. Vallejo. It became the headquarters of the Bear Flag Party, which in June 1846 proclaimed a 'California Republic' and raised the Bear Flag on Sonoma's Plaza. Twenty-three days later, on July 7, 1846, Commodore John Drake Sloat took possession of California for the United States government. Stevenson's Regiment, Company C, U.S.A., occupied the barracks in April 1847.
Location: Sonoma State Historic Park, NW corner of E Spain and 1st St E, Sonoma



From the Best of Sonoma Site:

General M. G. Vallejo built the Sonoma Barracks in 1836 to house Mexican soldiers. Over one hundred military expeditions sought to subdue the Wappos, Cainameros, or Satisyomis natives who attempted to throw off Mexican domination of the Sonoma area. Actual construction of the adobe barracks building most likely took place in stages and was more or less completed in 1841.

In 1846 the Sonoma Barracks became the headquarters of the Bear Flag Party, which in June 1846 proclaimed a 'California Republic' and raised the Bear Flag in revolt. Today you can visit the Barracks dormitory which is furnished just as it would have been in the 1840's. It's right across the street from the Mission on the northeast corner of the Plaza.

From HMDB:
This Monterey Colonial, two-story adobe was built by Indian labor under the direction of Gen. Vallejo for use as Mexican Troop Headquarters. English settler Mark West served as contractor. Following the raising of the American Flag, the Barracks served as U.S. military quarters in the 1840s and 1850s. Colonel E. Stevenson’s New York Regiment was quartered here from April 4, 1847 to August 25, 1848. The U.S. Military Dragoons (Cavalry) remained in Sonoma until 1852. The Barracks was used by Vallejo in the 1850’s as a winery. It was also used as a print shop and an experimental laboratory for raising silkworms. Solomon Schocken bought it on June 15, 1878 for a general merchandising store, using the top floor for his home. In August, 1880, Frederick Clewe leased the store for $50. Later, the building was used as a saloon, a shop and law offices. In 1935, Walter L. Murphy, editor and publisher of the Sonoma Index-Tribune, bought the Barracks and refurbished the second floor for his family. The first floor was rented out for offices and other uses. The State purchased the building in late 1950s. Formerly a prime example of adobe construction of the late 1830s, the building has been reconstructed with steel reinforcements by the State.
Source: Sonoma Walking Tour Brochure






References:

• Wikipedia
  
• Noehill
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB.org)
  
• Waymarking
  
• Best of Sonoma Site
  
• History of the Sonoma Barracks/Presido
  

Overall Landmark References:

• David Schmitt's California State Historical Landmark (Schmitt)
  
• Wikipedia: California's National Landmarks (WCNL)
  
• State of California's California Historical Landmarks (CHL)
  
• Wikipedia: California State Landmarks (WCSL)
  
• State of California Historical Resources (CHR)
  
• Noehill (NOE)
  
• Historical Marker Database (HMDB)