Campo de Cahuenga

Campo de Cahuenga, located at 3919 Lankershim Blvd in Studio City, was an adobe ranch-house that was an essential location used to end the war in California between the US and Mexico. And adobe is basically and building made of natural elements like sand, clay, and water. The signing of the treaty to end the war took in 1847 and was signed by Lieutenant Colonel John C. Frémont and General Andrés Pico.

The original structure was eventually torn down in 1900 but in 1923, a replica was rebuilt by the city. Actually, the foundations still exist from the original structure and are displayed on exhibit.

Today, Campo de Cahuenga is used for different city programs and public organizations meetings. Its also filled with many memorials to war hero’s in forms of paintings and plaques. But whats most interesting is how it was used historically during the war. See, back in 1846, the US had failed to purchase the southwest from mexico and eventually the US declared war on Mexico.

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.

It’s amazing how such a small location was so key in US sovereignty.
You can visit Campo de Cahuenga the first Saturday of every month from Noon to 4 P.M.