Ruins of Castle ofChinchón resembling Spanish colonialpresidios
Apresidio (jail, fortification)[1] was a fortified base established by theSpanish Empire mainly between the 16th and 18th centuries in areas under their control or influence. The term is derived from theLatin wordpraesidium meaningprotection ordefense.
In theMediterranean and thePhilippines, the presidios were outposts of the Christian defense against Islamic raids. In the Americas, thefortresses were built to protect against raids bypirates, rival colonial powers, andNative Americans.
Later in western North America, with independence, the Mexicans garrisoned the Spanish presidios on the northern frontier and followed the same pattern in unsettled frontier regions such as thePresidio de Sonoma inSonoma, California, and thePresidio de Calabasas inArizona.
In western North America, arancho del rey orking's ranch would be established a short distance outside a presidio. This was a tract of land assigned to the presidio to furnish pasturage to the horses and other beasts of burden of the garrison. Mexico called this facility "rancho nacional".[2]Presidios were only accessible to Spanish military and soldiers.
Few presidios were established in the present-day desert frontier regions in northern Mexico to control and confine the existing rebellious indigenous tribes.[3] Captured indigenous warriors were confined and enslaved at the presidio.[4] Presidios was used to protect the colonial silver ship from rebellious raids from Indians inCamino Real de Tierra Adentro, mainly inZacatecas andGuanajuato, starting new settlements.
The Presidio de las Bocas and laterPresidio de las Bocas de Gallardo, founded in 1570 inAsientos. Today reconverted into thehacienda de Santa María de Gallardo.
The Presidio de Ciénega Grande, founded in 1570 inAsientos. Today reconverted into thehacienda Ciénega Grande.
ThePresidio de San Bartolomé (?–1710), located 20 km east ofParral. Replaced by flying squadron operating from the Post of Valle de San Bartolomé (1710–?).
The Spanish North Africanpresidios are listed here in geographical sequence, from West to East, and including neither Spain's Atlantic settlements in the Moroccan far South (e.g.Santa Cruz de la Mar Pequeña) nor outposts gained after 1830 (e.g. theChafarinas Islands).
Mehdya, Morocco (La Mamora orSan Miguel de Ultramar), 1614–1681
The Presidio San Augustin, founded in 1565, which developed into the city ofSt. Augustine, ceded toGreat Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821
The Presidio San Mateo, founded in 1565 on the ruins ofFort Caroline near today'sJacksonville, recaptured and destroyed by the French in 1568
The Presidio Bahía San José de Valladares, founded in 1701 onSt. Joseph Bay, captured by French in 1718
The Presidio San Marcos de Apalachee, founded in 1718 at the existing port of San Marcos, which developed into the town ofSt. Marks, ceded to Great Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821
The Presidio Bahía San José de Nueva Asturias, founded in 1719 onSt. Joseph Point, abandoned when Spanish regained Pensacola Bay area from French in 1722, Spanish relocated to Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza (see below)
The Presidio Isla Santa Rosa Punta de Siguenza, founded in 1722 onSanta Rosa Island, destroyed by a hurricane in 1755, Spanish relocated to Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola (see below)
The Presidio San Miguel de Panzacola, founded in 1755, which developed into the city ofPensacola, ceded to Great Britain in 1763, regained 20 years later, and transferred to the United States in 1821
^"Spanish policymakers also decided to set up a line of presidios stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This presidial line was very close to today's international border between Mexico and the United States." Reséndez, Andrés. The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America (p. 198). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.
^"As the eighteenth century unfolded, military garrisons and soldiers superseded the missions as the lynchpins of Spain's efforts to stabilize the frontier. With the new approach came new forms of coercion. The word “presidio” captures the dual purpose of garrison and prison." Reséndez, Andrés. The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America (p. 205). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Kindle Edition.
^abcSheridan, Thomas E. (26 May 2016).Landscapes of Fraud: Mission Tumacácori, the Baca Float, and the Betrayal of the O'odham. University of Arizona Press. p. 29.ISBN978-0-8165-3441-8.
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