The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.
Recently, as I was scrolling through Fullerton News-Tribune newspaper archives from 1957, I came across an article about the discovery of a monument on the old Emery Ranch (today, the Los Coyotes Country Club) commemorating the site where U.S. Commodore Robert Stockton camped with his men in 1847 before the Battle of the San Gabriel River during the Mexican-American War.
The monument had been placed there in 1931 by the Mojave Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was re-discovered when developers were doing grading work for a large new development on what was then known as the Emery Ranch.
In 1847, however, the site of the monument was the Mexican Los Coyotes Rancho. Stockton and his men camped near the old adobe house (which no longer exists) as they prepared to confront the Mexican/Californio forces of General Jose Maria Flores at what would be called the Battle of the San Gabriel River.
The Americans, under Commodore Stockton and General Stephen W. Kearny, defeated Gen. Flores and advanced into Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, the Californios and the Americans signed the Treaty of Cahuenga, which effectively ended fighting in California.
Today, the bronze plaque can still be seen near the entrance to Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park. It reads:
“Commemorating the site of Los Coyotes house on the old trail where Commodore Stockton camped with the American Army on his way to meet General Fremont, Jan 7, 1847.”
The plaque inscription itself is a bit incorrect, as General John C. Fremont did not take part in the Battle of the San Gabriel River, although he would be present at the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga.
It’s a significant bit of history, as the Mexican-American War caused California to transform from a Mexican Province to an American state. As the plaque shows, some of this conflict happened very close to home.
Fullerton History 