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| Landmark #469 | Santa Cruz County | Visited: October 2, 2011 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the site of the settlement of Villa de Branciforte! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: These school grounds were the center of Villa de Branciforte, founded in 1797 by Governor Diego de Borica of California on orders from Spain through Viceroy Branciforte in Mexico. The settlement existed as a separate township until 1905, when it was annexed to the city of Santa Cruz.
OTHER TIDBITS: Villa de Branciforte was one of three secular Spanish settlements in Alta California (the other two being San Jose and Los Angeles), but it was the one and only villa! It housed a colorful group of soldier-settlers and held one of the first elections in Alta California in 1802! The villa took its name from the 53rd Viceroy of New Spain, Don Miguel de la Grua Talamanca y Branciforte, who really emphasized the importance of a military presence in Spanish colonies! He owed much of his success to his marriage to Maria Antonia Godoy, sister of Duke Manuel Godoy of Alcudia! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: SW corner of Water and Branciforte Streets Santa Cruz, CA 95060 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~344mi (554km) — 5.8hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |