José Figueroa is regarded by many historians as the best Mexican governor sent to rule California. It was under his watch that the Native Americans were emancipated from the missions, and, perhaps more importantly to his superiors, the missions themselves were emancipated from the control of the Franciscans.
Governor Figueroa died suddenly of a stroke in Monterey in 1835. Before his death he requested that he be laid to rest at the Mission Santa Barbara, where his bones reside in a vault to this day. The cache location is rumored to be near the spot where he held office while in Santa Barbara.
Also near this location, along present day Figueroa Street are numerous restaurants – all occupying the same block: Los Arroyos, Norton’s Pastrami, the Savoy and Gino’s. For those of you who need to parch your thirst after a hard day of caching, the Sportsman bar is on the same block, much the same today as it was back in the day. So many choices, where shall we eat? You’re going to need to “Figueroa” that one out yourself!
This is the fifth in a series of geocaches placed along historic streets in Santa Barbara. The cache container is a log only. You will need to bring your own pen. Please replace as found.
Special thanks to Neal Graffy for doing the research on the facts and stories behind the street names.