Manuel “Mickey” Micheltorena arrived in California in 1842. He brought along a convict army raised from the prisons of Mexico just to show he meant business. This did not go over too well with the residents. In an interesting twist of historical irony, he was ordered to keep foreigners out of the State.
Instead, he attempted to befriend them and began doling out rancheros to Americans already living in California.
Apparently there weren’t enough rancheros to go around, and a populist revolution comprised of native-born Californios rose up against Gov. Micheltorena in 1845. A fierce battle ensued in the Cahuenga pass, with hundreds of cannonballs being fired by both sides. Despite his resident army, once the casualty count rose to one horse and one mule, Manuel decided enough was enough, surrendered his forces, and returned to Mexico.
Today, if you want to impress the locals, make sure to pronounce the street name correctly (“Mitchell-tore-ain-uh”).
The cache is a small bison tube, camouflaged to blend into its environment.
This is the nineteenth in a series of geocaches placed along historic streets in Santa Barbara. 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.