One of the most significant and oldest sites in California, is located in downtown Santa Barbara. El presidio de Santa Barbara consists of 5 ½ acres and is an active archeological site. Founded in Alta (upper) California during the Mexican- American war (1782). It was built by the the Spain in order to guard the Second Military District in California. Two of the forts still remain open to the public, El Cuartel and the Canedo Adobe. El Cuartel is the second oldest building in California. This California landmark represents what many of the buildings during the Spanish period looked like. During the 1850’s the the historic site experienced destruction and damage by local earthquakes. But since 1963 the Santa Barbara trust for historic preservation has been committed to its reconst