13 Factoids Regarding the Treaty of Cahuenga

Have you ever wondered if you are simply passing history by as you go about your daily commute to work, to school, or just simply running your errands?

Thousands of people drive past 3919 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, California everyday, and they don’t realize they are driving past what many historians define as the most important place in American history west of the Mississippi River.

Keeping with Thursday Thirteen tradition here are are thirteen factoids concerning Campo de Cahenga my wordless offering for this week.

1. The original structure was a simple ranch house on the Rancho Verdugo belonging to Tomas Feliz. Sometimes it is confused with the nearby Rancho Cahuenga (now part of Burbank).

2. Following the Battle of Cahenga Pass in 1845 John Sutter of Sutter’s Fort was held captive in the original ranch house.

3. The Treaty of Cahuenga is a little known treaty that was signed on January 13, 1847 prior to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo which actually ended the Mexican American War in 1848.

4. The Treaty of Cahuenga was signed by John C. Fremont on behalf of the United States and General Andres Pico on behalf of the Mexican government. Fremont wanted to provide an opportunity for “peace with honor” in California.

5. “Peace with honor” meant Californians would stop fighing and hand over their arms. Californians who wanted to leave the territory and move further south into Mexico were allowed to do so if they wanted to. If they stayed they had to agree to follow the laws of the United States, however, they were not required to swear an oath of loyalty until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago was signed a year later.

6. Following the treaty signing a great fiesta was held.

7. With the signing of the Cahuenga treaty came the end of Manifest Destiny. American had finally secured all lands west from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacfic. Also, the stroke of a pen gave birth to the territory and later state of California. (My students are always so happy when we reach this point because they have been waiting all year for the United States map to finally look like the one they are familiar with).

8. The original structure was, as many historical places were allowed to do in the late 1800s, allowed to deteriorate. It was finally demolished in 1900.

9. The original foundation was located when the Metro Red Line subway was being built. It dates from 1795-1810 when the structure was simple farmhouse.

10. The house shown in my wordless post is a replica of the original. The picture I’ve posted here is from an old postcard image of what the original might have looked like.

11. Today the building houses documents related to the treaty and other items. Each year on January 13th the signing of the treaty is reinacted.

12. Many thanks to everyone who participated in this week’s Wordless offering. Many of you asked great questions, took advantage of my hints, and exercised your brains a bit. If you didn’t particpate this week maybe you can next week.

13. I try to reward the person or persons who correctly identify my image with a link (the blogging equivilent to gold stars). This week’s link goes to Grift Drift of Drifting Through the Grift who when I left him a comment that he had correctly identified Campo de Cahuenga responded, “That was fun, Teach!”

I’m glad Grift Drift. I’m really glad.

You can find out more about Thursday Thirteen and locate other participants by linking here.


Thursday Thirteen Participants

1. Kellie 2. Starrlight

3. Dane Bramage 4. Alasandra

5. Di

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