Fremont Peak

Fremont Peak was called Gavilan Peak in early Spanish times, Gavilan in English meaning Hawk. In 1846 Capt. John Charles Fremont, brevet captain of topographical engineers of the United States Army, was conducting a survey and exploring expedition in Oregon and California. His presence with an armed force in the settled area was objected to by Prefect Manuel Castro and General Jose Castro and the California authorities. He was ordered to leave. Instead Fremont prepared to resist this request. He ascended Gavilan Peak where he built a fort of logs. A sapling was cut for a flagpole and on March 6, 1846 Fremont raised the flag of the United States. Castro has his forces below at San Juan Bautista but before any attack was made, Fremont’s flagpole blew down on the afternoon of March 9. Fremont, taking this as a bad omen broke camp in the night and moved on toward the San Joaquin. So the open battle was avoided. After this episode Gavilan Peak again became the meeting place for hawks. , Elevation 3169 feet . This historical marker is Near San Juan Bautista in San Benito County California