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| Landmark #69 | San Diego County | Visited: April 21, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | One of four hard-to-reach plaques at the Point Loma Naval Base! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: An outpost of Spain’s far-flung empire at its greatest extent, this fort was completed before 1800 from plans drawn by Alberto de CĂłrdoba in 1795. Its major action came under Corporal JosĂ© Velásquez on March 22, 1803, in the “Battle of San Diego Bay” with the American Brig Lelia Byrd, which was smuggling sea otter pelts.
OTHER TIDBITS: The Spanish had very strict control over their ports and established early on that the only trade with foreign powers had to take place in Monterey. This was to make sure that English, American, Russian, and French rivals would not be able to build influence over the people in their territory! Fort Guijarros, or Fort Cobblestones, was one such defensive castillo, the second largest in Alta California! It was charged with keeping foreign ships from trading in San Diego Bay, but it was poorly funded. Though it did cause damage to the Lelia Byrd in 1803 and the Franklin in 1828, this fort was unable to stem foreign interest in California’s rich resources and trading ports! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Base of Ballast Point S end of Rosecrans St, where historic markers are on a half circle U.S. Naval Submarine Base San Diego, CA 92106 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~122mi (197km) — 2.1hrs |
| When should I go? | The base is normally closed off to civilians, but there are certain events that will allow you to see the plaques, like the Battle of the Bay celebration on the third Saturday in April! |
