A ‘Pueblo Day’ in the life, circa 1835

Sonoma State Historic Park staff and docents brought the once bustling Sonoma Barracks Courtyard to life on June 24 — the anniversary of the town’s founding day in 1835.

Despite the triple digit heat, several hundred visitors passed through the 181 year-old breezeway which was adorned with the flag of the republic of Mexico. Visitors tested their skills at tricks-of-the-old-trades including: using a lariat to lasso Diablo, the Park’s wooden horse; carding sheep’s wool; and pressing their own corn tortillas.

They observed black-powder demonstrations and the Park’s Native American artifact collections. Adults and children created their very own Pueblo flag and enjoyed their handmade tortillas topped with fresh pico de gallo.

The City Council of Sonoma issued a proclamation in 2015 declaring every June 24, “Pueblo Day.” It marks the day the Mexican government authorized Lieutenant M.G. Vallejo, of the Yerba Buena Presidio, to establish the Pueblo of Sonoma in order to secure California’s northern frontier through settlement.