California Historical Landmark #260

Armistice Oak Tree Site
California State Historical Landmark #260
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This landmark is located southeast corner of El Camino Real and Lincoln Streets, Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 21.130 W 121° 57.250.

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Here, On January 8, 1847, Francisco Sanchez, Leader of a California Band surrendered himself and some American prisoners and arms to Lieut. Grayson thus ending the battle of Santa Clara or the "The Battle of the Mustard Stalks," of January 2, 1847. This armistice ended the last uprising against the tide of American Conquest in the Santa Clara Valley.

Originally placed on the corner of Lawrence Expressway & El Camino Real in 1962. The California Landmark No. 260 plaque marking the “Armistice Oak Tree Site” was removed during the widening of the El Camino and rededicated in a new location in 1969 as part of the City of Santa Clara’s 117th birthday. Sometime later it was again removed and disappeared. Rescued from a salvage shop in 1999. The plaque has been rededicated at this site in commemoration of the State of California’s Sesquicentennial September 9, 2000 and the City of Santa Clara’s 150th, July 5, 2002.

The Battle of Santa Clara was the only campaign fought in the Northern district of California between Californios and United States forces during the Mexican-American war. In the 1840’s an oak forest grew near the present Lawrence Expressway, but brackish water and marshy soil limited tree growth in the region to the east providing an unobstructed view of Mission Santa Clara three miles ahead. The battle took place in this open plain.

As you face towards City Hall, the battle area ranged from your left, towards Lawrence Expressway, to your right, towards the De La Cruz overpass. The American Expeditionary force emerged from the trees, on a road that reached the present El Camino Real at Pomeroy Avenue. At that point they first sited the deployed rancheros on horseback on the open plain. When the Americans’ cannon mired in the mud, halting their march, the rancheros came closer. This site was near where today El Camino crosses Saratoga Creek. An exchange of gunfire occurred with no one hurt. The rancheros returned to their camp, within sight of the people watching from the mission rooftops. After extracting their cannon from the mud the Americans continued to the mission. The skirmishing lasted approximately two hours, but it took five days of negotiations before the official treaty ceremony ended the Battle of Santa Clara.