Campo de Cahuenga by

Timeline of California's Statehood

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

The Mexican American War ignited on May 13, 1846 when President Polk convinced Congress to declare war on Mexico because of a border dispute in Texas. Before U.S. military forces arrived in California, American settlers in California rebelled against the Mexican Government, declaring California independent from Mexico. They raised their own flag with a bear and a red star on it that said California Republic, similar to the current state flag of California. Commodore John D. Sloat of the U.S. Navy landed his forces at Monterey, California, the capital of Mexico's California Territory on July 7, 1846. Facing no resistance, his landing party marched to the custom house and raised the American flag, declaring California to be part of the U.S. The signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga on January 13, 1847 officially ended hostilities in California. In exchange for the Mexican Californio settlers and ranchers surrendering their weapons, they would be treated as Americans. The war formally ended the next year with the signing of another treaty, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2 1848. On September 9, 1850 the California Statehood Act made California a state of the United States.

Map Overview of Site

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

This is historically significant because it shows where the original adobe building once stood.

I learned that the original adobe building was much bigger than the reconstructed replica.

This photo was taken from Google Maps.

Historical Painting

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

Made by Carlos Lacamara, this painting shows the signing of the treaty of Cahuenga in 1847, with John C. Fremont representing the US, and Andres Pico representing Mexico. This photo depicts what it was like 1847 at the time the treaty was signed. It gives detailed visuals on the surrounding land and people involved in the treaty. While

100% factual details are not depicted because there were no cameras during this time period to capture what it really looked like. There could have been more people, they could have been inside, etc.

The Treaty of Campo de Cahuenga

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

On January 12, 1847, José Antonio Carrillo drafted the peace treaty known as Capitulation of Cahuenga in both English and Spanish, then John C. Frémont, representing the US forces and Andrés Pico, representing the Mexican forces each signed it for their respective countries the next day, January 13th. The terms were that the Mexican forces, the Californios, would turn in their guns and would conform to the laws of the United States and they would be treated as citizens of the United States. John C. Frémont led the American forces to a temporary ceasefire between them and the Mexican Californios in an attempt to allow peaceful negotiations. The US had (P. B. Reading), (Louis McLane Jr.), and (Wm. H. Russell) sign the treaty, while the Californios had Jose Antonio Carrillo and Agustin Olvera sign it for them. These agreements were then agreed upon by both the American John C. Frémont and Californio Andrés Pico and then they signed it. Reading the actual treaty helps immerse me in the time when it was going on. It is interesting to read the terms of the treaty which made many Mexican troops into Californians and the next year when the treaty of Guatalupe Hidalgo was signed, they became Americans. After learning this information, going to the site will be much more interesting. The terms of the document were that the Californios would surrender their weapons and abide by the law of the US in exchange for a cease fire and military protection from the U.S. They basically took over the state from the Mexican forces. The Americans were in a position of military power in California and this treaty made it so that California was under the American military control. It was made an official state in 1848.

Historical Feature: The Cobblestone and Tile Foundation of the Origional Campo De Cahuenga

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

This area of Campo de Cahuenga is significant because it shows where the original building stood.

From seeing the foundation, I learned that the Mexican Californio settlers built their building's foundations with cobblestone and tiles. I also learned that when the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority was planning a train stop in the area, they discovered more of the foundation of the original Campo.

I discovered this picture on etandoesla.com

Reflection

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

The virtual visit to the Campo de Cahuenga was enlightening. I had expected the Campo museum to have interesting artifacts from the time of the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga which was signed there in 1847. No artifacts except the table where the treaty was signed and the foundation which was eventually underground for over 100 years still exist.

I expected that the adobe building on the site was the same building from the time of the Treaty of Cahuenga. It was a replica that had been built in 1950.

The site connects with what we learned in class because we learned about how the nation expanded from east to west, gradually gaining more territory. The site of the Campo de Cahuenga is one of many places that was significant in the expansion of United States territories because the treaty made many Mexicans into California citizens of the U.S.

The website was very informative. The works cited page had so many interesting and relevant websites. This location was the site of an agreement between two military forces that agreed to stop the military conflict. They agreed to peace.

When I was ten, my family lived in Studio City on Fruitland Drive near Lankershim Boulevard. We were often on that road driving to the 99 Cents Only Store, to the doctor’s office, to the bank, etc. and my mother often mentioned a historic adobe building on the road as we passed a certain corner. Past some big trees there was a building, but I didn't even know what adobe was and at the time, I couldn't care less about history. Years later, I finally understand. I have learned the significance of the Campo de Cahuenga. I have learned that it was the place that the U.S. troops and Mexican Californios met and signed a treaty for peace. There would be no more war between them in California. Many Mexicans became Californians because of the treaty.

I also learned that people reenact the signing of the treaty in costumes to educate the public about what really happened there so long ago.

Yearly Reenactment of the Signing of the Campo de Cahuenga Treaty.

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

This is significant because the reenactment shows that people care about historical locations and want to share the significance with others. The event reminds people of the history of the area. It reminds us that significant events happened right where we live, drive, and pass by.

I learned that the reenactment occurs annually near the date of the original signing.

I found this photo on blogspot.com

Who Takes Care of This Site Today?

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

Today, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks works with the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association in order to collaborate and preserve the site. The Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association have an annual reenactment of the Treaty of Cahuenga signing.

Where exactly was the peace treaty signed?

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

While its impossible to tell exactly where in the building the treaty was signed, the city of Los Angeles has outlined the adobe’s original foundation which extends across the sidewalk and into the street. Seeing the giant outlining really helps put into perspective how big the original building was. Now I wonder if more people knew about the historical significance of the site would it have been completely demolished like it was in 1900 or would they build around or through it?

Why Did They Choose the Campo de Cahuenga to Sign the Peace Treaty?

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

Campo de Cahuenga was chosen as the site for the treaty to be signed due to its easy accessibility to both sides, being right between Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The area had already been a popular route for travelers and settlers due to it being a crossroad, so negotiations begun.

Something I Found Interesting

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

This map is significant because it shows how the area surrounding the Campo de Cahuenga went from being a natural environment with mountains, trees, Native American villages, and small adobe buildings to hundreds of thousands of people, thousands of houses and buildings, vehicles, and roads.

I learned that even in our modern metropolitan city, there are places of great historical significance that are preserved and protected.

I found this map on Google Maps.

Interpretive Website

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

The website gives the most important information about Campo de Cahuenga including contact information, historical knowledge, and even current events. The site gives a timeline of who owned, or lived on the land throughout history. Starting with the Indian Period (2000 B.C - 1769), then the Spanish Period (1769 - 1821), then the Mexican Period (1821 - 1847, then the Spanish American war (1846 - 1848), then the Capitulation (1847), then the Early American Period, (1848 - 1869), then the Modern Period (1869 - Present), along with multiple historical documents and photos. This is also the only website where I found lots of info on the women of Campo de Cahuenga, giving facts about their stories and lives.

Campo de Cahuenga Scrapbook, 1902-1971

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

The Campo de Cahuenga Scrapbook is a collection of documents including petitions, public appeals, hand drawn maps, and statements from a scrapbook, created by the Historical Landmark Committee of Campo de Cahuenga, used to support the site as a historical landmark. With the addition of all these documents, I get a better picture of how much effort went into cementing it as a historical site. The goal of the Historical Landmark Committee was to influence the lawmakers to designate the site as a historical landmark so the authors of the documents were biased in favor of having the site considered historical.

What Has Been Preserved From That Day?

blalo1 — 2025-05-30 18:45:26 UTC

Found inside the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, this is the actual able American John C. Frémont and Californio Andrés Pico signed the Treaty of Campo de Cahuenga on. While most things from that time have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair, thankfully we do still have some items such as the original adobe's foundation and this table.