Tiburcio Vasquez

Tiburcio Vasquez was a local bandit (though he spent time in San Quentin and robbed places as far South as (today's) West Hollywood and North to Fresno. Its was local killings and his habit of sleeping with women throughout California that led to his capture and eventual hanging on March 19, 1875.

Death of Jose Castro

On the night of April 22, 1872, some 300 yards from the Castro-Breen Adobe Jose Castro was hung. Two masked men, along with 6-7 armed men, took Jose Castro, estimated at 35 years of age and hung him from a "large willow tree" some 300 yards from the Breen House. He was reported as "very heavy."

Historic Structure Report
Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State Historic Park

www.parks.ca.gov

This is the Paicines Area near Robber's Roost or Divigios Crossing in San Benito County.

(Abov)This is the Mission from the doorway of the Saloon on the same from as the Castro-Breen Adobe. (Below) This is the picture of the Zanetta House and the Stables across from the Castro-Breen House where Jose Castro was taken and murdered.

Robbery of the San Benito Stage

"The San Benito Stage was robbed at gunpoint, persumably by the Tiburcio Vasquez gang, in the spring of 1872. On the afternoon of April 19, three men wearing hoods over their heads lay in wait behind a rock ledge (later called "Robbers Roost") just south of Cornwell's Crossing. As the southbound stage approached, the banditos moved boldly into the middle of the road; and with pistols leveled, they ordered the driver, Doc Garner, to rein up his horses. Stage passengers that day were San Benito residents George Chick and William Billings. During the robbery several trunks and mail bags were cut open and looted. Garner and the others were relieved of their watches and cash, bound with ropes; and left, face down, on the ground." One of the robbers was recognized as a visitor at the Castro home. Joe Castro was arrested the next day. Castro was detained in the old Breen house for transportation the following day to Hollister.

Note: The old Breen house is part of our San Juan Bautista Historic Park

The Picture below is taken from the intersections next to the Breen House and you can see the stable to the left and the Mission ahead.

The Plaza Hotel

"In 1813-1814, after the Mission was finished, a new barracks headquarters was built for the Spanish soldiers. These soldiers were kept to protect the Franciscan Padres in their work with the Indians. This building is now the lower floor of the Plaza Hotel. Angelo Zanetta added a second story of redwood and opened the Plaza Hotel in 1858. The hotel became famous for its excellent food and rooms. It was one of the main stops of the Coast Line Stage between San Francisco and Los Angelos."  (p. 25)


Office of the San Benito County Superintendent of Schools, 1980
San Benito County Long Ago and Today 

Why I Docent

    My name is Robert Earl Groeling. Im a volunteer docent at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park. Ive been a volunteer for over 15 years at San Juan. I decided to start a blog because Id like people to know what its like to be a docent at the San Juan Bautista Historic Park; what it take to have a successfull volunteer association and Id like to give some history of the area, hopefully get some positive attention for the park and for history of the Monterey Bay Area and San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey Counties as well.

Plaza History Association Newsletter: San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

Written by Nikki Combs

On February 4, 2012 there will be the Plaza History Association (PHA) 9:30-10:30

The Early Days Planning Meeting will be at 10:30am The meeting is in the back of the Plaza Hotel.

Feb. There is the San Benito County Volunteer Fair 12-4 pm

There will be another Board Meeting on March 3, 2012. Our meeting will go from 9:30-11:00am.
There will be a "mandatory" volunteer meeting at 3:30pm., in the Plaza Hotel.