++++ 2016 Note: Event will be Sunday, Jan. 10 at 12:30 pm
Any Nomads in the L.A. area please drop in and enjoy this event, complete with cannon fire!
Max and I will have a table set up selling BAJA books and El Camino Real bells. The Campo de Cahuenga is just off the 101, and across from Universal
Studios.
The Campo is a place of celebrations. Each January, for more than half a century the events of 1847 are celebrated anew. In a reenactment of the
signing of a document by representatives of Mexico and the United States that became known as the Treaty of Cahuenga, signatures of General Andres
Pico and Lt. Col. John C. Fremont ended hostilities in the state, creating Peace with Honor. In two years, without first becoming a U.S. territory,
California was fast-tracked into the Union. Manifest Destiny was realized. We were one nation from sea to shining sea. All Californians became one
people-Americans. To this day, Campo de Cahuenga is a place for celebrating our multi-cultural contributions.
An adobe-like museum building dedicated by Los Angeles in 1951 serves the Campo today. Outside, a display of the latest excavation of the original
adobe is on view, one that extends under busy Lankershim Boulevard. All around are the footprints of history. Native Tongva peoples knew this site at
the strategic ford of the Los Angeles River. The first Californios walked here. Missionaries, rancheros, gold seekers, pioneers crossed paths here.
The Butterfield Stagecoach once stopped at the Campo. A Civil War encampment was erected here. By stepping into Campo de Cahuenga today, on its
grounds or through our website, visitors become the newest chapter in the hallowed Campo legacy.
Welcome to the Campo de Cahuenga. Bienvenidos a la Campo de Cahuenga. Managed by the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association under the
auhispanices of the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation for future generations.
Calendar of Events
Annual Reenactment of the Signing of the Articles of Capitulation
Campo de Cahuenga
3919 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood 91601
Celebrate the 169th anniversary of the historic signing.
Time-travel back to 1847 for this momentous Living History event. Witness the proceedings "in the moment" in the surroundings of the very place where
General Andres Pico and Lt. Colonel John C. Fremont placed their signatures on the document ending hostilities and bringing peace with honor between
the American forces and Californios under Mexican Rule. Imagine the future, as Manifest Destiny was realized, California quickly gained statehood and
all local peoples united as fellow Americans because of this momentous signing. On this spot, Butterfield Stagecoaches would soon stop, Civil War
soldiers would later encamp and subsequent generations would have a front row seat for a burgeoning entertainment industry.
Our Re-enactment Supporters:
Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Assoc.; City of Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks, North Hollywood Recreation Center; Universal City -
North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce; Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce; City of Los Angeles; Native Sons of the Golden West; Native Daughters of the
Golden West; Daughters of the American Revolution Hollywood Chapter; Valley College Historical Museum; San Fernando Valley Historical Society; San
Fernando Valley Garden Clubs; Huntington Westerners; Legal Advisor Mike Murphy; North Hollywood Kiwanis Club; Weddington Investment Properties LLC;
Universal Studios Hollywood; No Ho; Miles Knudsen Consulting; Van Nuys Glass; Leonis Adobe; Carol Burle; Owensmouth Historical Society; Aztec Club of
1847; Studio City Residents Assoc.
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THE HISTORIC EVENT:
- Failing in an attempt to purchase the Southwest from Mexico, The United States declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846 following the outbreak of
hostilities over the disputed Mexico-Texas border.
- In July and August, the U.S. Navy occupied all California ports without facing organized Mexican resistance. However, American misrule in Los
Angeles led to a local Californio rebellion and the armed expulsion of US occupiers from that city.
- The rebellion spread through most of Southern California and climaxed in early December with the defeat of Gen. Kearney's American forces by
Californio vaqueros (under the leadership of Andres Pico) at the Battle of San Pasqual.
- Determined to suppress the rebellion, American commanders Stockton and Kearney prepared to recapture Los Angeles. They ordered American Forces under
John C. Fremont to march south from Monterey, while another American force under their joint command marched north from San Diego.
- Realizing Californio forces were heavily outmanned and outgunned, Andres Pico approached Fremont with honorable terms under which the Californios
would surrender.
- Fremont accepted Pico's terms in principle and the two sides agreed to meet at Campo de Cahuenga on January 13, 1847 to sign the
Articles of Capitulation, known as "Capitulation of Cahuenga." The generous terms of the agreement ended hostilities in California.
- After the American conquest of Mexico City, the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war and ceded California and the American Southwest to
the United States.
Campo de Cahuenga
3919 Lankershim Blvd.
Studio City/North Hollywood, CA 91604
Accessible by public transportation. Exit Universal City stop on Metro Red Line and enjoy the Metro's tiled art exhibit of the Campo de Cahuenga story
while you are there.
(We are directly across from Universal Studios entrance adjacent to the MTA parking lot.)
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This act separated Alta California from Mexican control and thus Baja California remained in Mexico.
Max and I will be there selling/ signing our Missions books, other Baja books, as well as old California Camino Real collector bells. 12:30-2:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION
Here are the photos I took at the first event I attended, in 2013:
Pico and Fremont exchange...
Canon was fired twice and every car alarm in the several blocks went off! The crowd was too big for me to get a photo of it being shot.
Mexican uniform...
American uniform...
Max and the colonel...
Inside the museum...
General Andres Pico
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fremont
Campo de Cahuenga adobe
One of two glass cases containing the bells on loan from Max Kurillo, my co-author
Our table
In 2014 we had the pleasure of meeting two new Baja Nomads. In 2015, the rain kept us away
NOTE: Rain Check possible!? In 2015, bad weather kept us from making the 100+ mile drive from El Cajon.
[Edited on 1-11-2016 by David K]Cisco - 12-16-2015 at 10:05 PM
Manifest Destiny was realized. We were one nation from sea to shining sea. All Californians became one people-Americans. .
Was it all kumbaya after the capitulation of cahuenga?David K - 12-17-2015 at 12:36 PM
You need to ask the Campo de Cahuenga people, as that partial quote is off of their website.
I can tell you that the Californians here before the Yankees arrived had already desired independence because Mexico had long ignored the needs of
California (both Baja and Alta). Even today, there is a group 'Republica de Baja California' with desires of independence.motoged - 12-17-2015 at 05:37 PM
When I was a kid I would dress up and play guns, too.motoged - 12-17-2015 at 06:20 PM
Yes....it can be fun.....
These days I just dress up as a moto rider....kinda like an upgrade for playtime sargentodiaz - 12-19-2015 at 06:09 PM
Cahuenga was a Tongva Indian camping ground. The word means "Place of the Hill."
It made a perfect vantage point for the field pieces Fremont had with him. Anyone here know Fremont's original nationality?
Thanks DK
captkw - 12-19-2015 at 08:23 PM
Have not been to all the missions yet.. maybe 9/10 tenths so far,but have been up and down "The El Camino Real" many,,many times and is the way I
drive south to Baja..Forget the "5" IMO..... are you aware of the EL Camino in san jose ca ?? is that the old road??....BOOM ! that must have been a
BLAST !!Gulliver - 12-19-2015 at 08:58 PM
I was listening to an interview with the governor of Baja Norte once and after some discussion of various problems of underdevelopment and issue of
being so closely coupled to Alta California, the interviewer suggested that the U.S. buy Baja Norte. The governor laughed and said, "You haven't paid
for Alta California yet!Gulliver - 12-19-2015 at 09:06 PM
Frémont (Frémon)
French Canadian father. Early Virginia stock on his mother's side. Lotsa scandal.David K - 12-21-2015 at 11:17 AM
Lot's of missions in California! 21 in Alta (19 are Spanish) and 27 in Baja (25 are Spanish).
All the mission buildings in Alta are new or rebuilt from ruins. A couple may not look anything like the original as there were no known illustrations
at the time.
Most of the missions in Baja are the original building, or the ruins unrestored, or even unprotected and un-signed. Flash floods have obliterated the
third mission ruins (Ligüí) and only a cross nearby marks the area.
From north to south, in Baja:
DESCANSO: Protected floor and foundation with awning
GUADALUPE: Foundation in protected museum park.
SAN MIGUEL: Protected ruins.
SANTA CATALINA: Unprotected foundation.
SANTO TOMAS: All three sites unprotected.
SAN VICENTE: Protected ruins in park setting.
SAN PEDRO MARTIR: Unprotected ruins.
SANTO DOMINGO: Protected ruins in park setting.
EL ROSARIO: Both sites protected ruins in park setting.
SAN FERNANDO: Some protection, little remaining of walls
SANTA MARIA: Unprotected walls, impressive ruins
SAN BORJA: Adobe church ruins protected, awning partially covers. Stone mission church intact and restored.
SANTA GERTRUDIS: Stone mission church restored, interior modernized.
SAN IGNACIO: Stone mission church, very impressive.
GUADALUPE: Unprotected ruins
SANTA ROSALIA DE MULEGE: Stone mission church restored.
LA PURISIMA: Unprotected ruins, nearly vanished.
SAN JOSE DE COMONDU: Stone side-chapel survived 1936 demolition of 1750's stone mission church.
LORETO: Restored church (new roof, modern bell tower added) and museum.
SAN JAVIER: Stone church, original, magnificient.
LIGUI: NO RUINS/ Flash flood destroyed.
DOLORES: Stone-wall ruins at first site, rubble at second site (La Pasion).
SAN LUIS GONZAGA: Stone church, original.
PILAR DE LA PAZ: NO RUINS/ Under modern building.
SANTIAGO: NO RUINS/ Under modern church.
SANTA ROSA: Unprotected walls.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO: NO RUINS/ Under modern church.
Gulliver - 12-21-2015 at 11:49 AM
Next time I'm up to Guadalupe I'll take some pictures. I think there is a barbed wire fence around it now. Can't remember.David K - 1-1-2016 at 05:19 PM
Long range weather forecast for Sunday the 10th of January is good (ie. the rains should be done before that weekend). Dress warm, even if it is
sunny!
The Campo de Cahuenga museum is right across from the Universal Studios entrance. Hope to see some Nomad amigos there! The reenactment is well done
and fun. Max is bringing a variety of books on Baja and the Camino Real as well as selling some of his collection of small El Camino Real bells. David K - 1-4-2016 at 11:05 PM
Met with Max today and we have quite a selection of Baja and El Camino Real books to offer history enthusiasts. The forecast is still clear for this
Sunday in Studio City, CA. (across for Universal Studios theme park).
Max has a large collection of bells on display in the museum at Campo de Cahuenga and will be selling some of his bells this Sunday, as well.David K - 1-8-2016 at 07:02 PM
No Rain this Sunday! See us in L.A.
I will have my test copy of the new book if you want a sneak look at the inside!
Bring you copy of the Old Missions for us to autograph or get your new copy Sunday.
Thank you and drive safe!David K - 1-10-2016 at 06:35 PM
No rain... so it all took place a-ok!
It was nice to visit with at least one Nomad today... Here are three photos off my phone...
Max Kurillo, just after we set up the table around 11 am (before most others arrived). Behind Max are large photos of the missions of San Juan
Capistrano and San Javier (the 27th and the 2nd California missions).
The beginning of the ceremony as a city councilman tells what happened and how the past needs to connect with the present and future. The Harry Potter
area of Universal Studios was mentioned, as a new pedestrian bridge is being built from behind the Campo de Cahuenga museum to the theme park, across
the street.
The other half of the seated audience. Channel 2 and Channel 5 TV was there.
We sold several books and a few of the bells, too.
Our next event is in Ventura in March... a PowerPoint presentaion of the missions of Baja & Alta California.
