California Presidio's-Protecting a Colony on the Cheap

 

The Presidio at the colonial village of Santa Barbara and other strategic posts in far flung Alta California was Spain's attempt to hold this vast area with minimal troops. To protect Alta California, the Spanish divided the colony into four military districts, each centered upon a Presidio (fort) with a small garrison. Each Presidio was tasked with the protection of the missions in their military district.  

The first was El Presidio de San Diego, founded on July 16, 1769. San Diego was responsible for the mission San Diego, San Luis Rey, San Juan Capistrano, and San Gabriel.  El Presidio de San Carlos de Monterey, founded on June 3, 1770, protected San Luis Obispo, San Miguel, San Antonio, Soledad San Carlos and San Juan Bautista. El Presidio de San Francisco founded December 17, 1776, was responsible for Santa Cruz, San Jose, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Rafael and Solano. The last Spanish Presidio was El Presidio de Santa Barbara, established April 12, 1782, that guarded La Purisima, Santa Barbara, San Buenaventura, San Fernando, and Santa Ines. 

 The chapel was a key building at each Presidio as the religious needs of the troops and conversion of the Natives were seen as keys to holding the colony.