On Christmas Day, 1846, natives and soldiers from the Presidio of Santa Barbara lay in ambush here for Lt. Col. John C. Fremont, U.S.A., and his battalion. Warned of the plot, Fremont was guided over the San Marcos Pass by Benjamin Foxen and his son William, and he captured Santa Barbara without bloodshed.

Photo: Michael Kindig

Photo: Michael Kindig

Photo: Michael Kindig

Photo: Michael Kindig