War Brings Change

War Brings Change

Mural - Painting

Website: http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

 949-707-2600

 24035 El Toro Rd, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653

War Brings Change

Robert Evans

Robert Evans painted the mural War Brings Change. The mural depicts the Mexican-American War, a combined force of 600 American soldiers, sailors, and Marines under the joint command of Army General Stephen W. Kearly and US Navy Commodore Robert F. Stockton made camp at Don Juan Avila’s Rancho Niguel. They were traveling north from San Diego to the Los Angeles area between December 29, 1846 and January 8, 1847. Their mission was to secure Southern California and then retake Los Angeles, which was held by Californios.

Some 4 weeks earlier, General Kearny and 139 mostly mule-mounted dragoons had endured a grueling 850-mile march from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to California. In the San Pasqual Valley, near San Diego, they had been beseiged by Californio lancers for 4 days, until Commodore Stockton arrived with reinforcements. At Avila’s hacienda on the south bank of Los Alisos Creek, just west of El Camino Real and within the borders of what later became Laguna Hills, the battle-weary Americans stopped to rest before continuing their trip north.

Following their visit, Don Juan Avila went to Los Angeles to persuade his brothers to abandon the Mexican side. On January 9, 1847, he was present at the decisive Battle of La Mesa, where a victory by the Americans resulted in their reoccupation of Los Angeles and helped bring an end to the war in California 3 days later.

Medium type: Acrylic Paint

Location Info

24035 El Toro Rd

24035 El Toro Rd, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653