While traveling the Mission Trail, I realized I could not get a complete understanding of the Spanish colonization of Alta California without stopping at the presidios (military forts) along the way. There were four of them in California, all strategically located to best protect the growing frontier settlements. They served as military headquarters, government centers, and places of refuge for the settlers and native populations. The Santa Barbara Presidio was founded in 1782. It is a State Historic Park located on Canon Perdido Street in downtown Santa Barbara.
Archaeological finds at the presidio have uncovered ceramic cooking vessels, cutlery and pieces of pottery. Fish bones and seeds were discovered, enabling researchers to piece together a good idea of everyday life within the presidio walls. It is all well documented in a series of rooms. The government kept good records of inventory. The ordering, shipping and distribution of supplies must have been a nightmare back then. They ordered clothes from Mexico and Spain, linens from France and silk and dinnerware from China. Most of these items arrived by ship, taking months, even years, to make it to their final destination.
The presidio is being reconstructed from these hand-formed adobe bricks.
While the missions have statues of Farther Serra, I found it interesting that the Santa Barbara Presidio had one of King Charles III of Spain. He is now considered to be one of the more enlightened of the European monarchs. He built the magnificent Prado and reformed education. He is the king who expelled the Jesuits from Baja for disloyalty, paving the way for the Franciscans to take control of the new world missions.
Mimi pointed out to me that even though this outfit came from the 18th century, she wouldn't mind wearing it in the 21st!
No comments:
Post a Comment