Wednesday, June 27, 2007

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

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info. It's good to know something about history.

Kellie said...

I think this is one of the most interesting TT posts! :o) I love history!

Happy TT!

EHT said...

Thanks for visiting. I hope you come back.

Anonymous said...

very interesting thanks.

Lori said...

You are definitely a teacher and I hated history...lol...but my boys like it. Thanks for the info:)

Cinnamon Girl said...

Awesome WW/TT combo!

Dane Bramage said...

Great history lesson. Thanks for visiting my T13 13 Photos of Horses and Hayrides Day at Church

The Tour Marm said...

I've taken so many Californians to task because they did not know about the Treaty of Ghent which was signed in The Octagon House. (Many Washingtonians don't know about The Octagon House!)

Well now the shoe is on the other foot! I guess I have to brush up on more West Coast history and be a bit more charitable towards my California students!

Thanks, this was fun!

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

I always learn something when I read your blog. Thanks for an informative TT.

Di said...

I wish I had known about this a few weeks ago! We would have looked for it when we were in Hollywood!

EHT said...

Thanks ladies. I'm glad you stopped by.

Lady Jane said...

Very interesting TT! I didn't know any of that (but I'm not from California!). Great idea!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this informative post. I also don't like reading history books. However, you have a creative and interesting way of putting it.

EHT said...

Thanks Ed. Each day when I'm in my classroom or as I add a post to History Is Elementary that's my goal....make it interesting.

Unknown said...

I do love learning history!