Real Presidio de Santa Barbara* the last Spanish presidio (fort) built in North American. (They ask a $4 donation)

The presidio Santa Barbara was founded in 1782. The comandante, Ortega, erected temporary palisades. In 1784, Lt. Felipe Goicoechea (goy-coy-che-yah) assumed command and designed and began permanant construction of the presidio.
Some of the things that may surprise you about this presidio is the remarkable endurance of the adobe buildings. Within the park is STILL a cuartel remaining of the original structure. Also within the buildings wooden pipes brought running water from an up stream reservoir. It had it's own chapel, just as many military bases/outposts of today.
We've heard of the Padre Serra, etc., and all they did, but this state historical park gives us a glimpse into the military side of the Spanish Colonial era of early California and the "soldado de cuera" (soldier of leather, leather jacketed soldier)