Irvine Councilmember Mike Carroll Commemorates Historic Site
An important piece of California history that was likely destroyed during the creation of the 405 Freeway in Irvine may finally be commemorated with a plaque after being on the state’s historic register for more than eight decades. “I’m very excited to help honor this important marker in the city, given our recent growth and place among the largest and great cities of our state,” said Irvine Councilmember Mike Carroll. “To commemorate a very important part of our state’s history and our local history here in Irvine, it’s an honor to be able to support this.”
An important piece of California history that was likely destroyed during the creation of the 405 Freeway in Irvine may finally be commemorated with a plaque after being on the state’s historic register for more than eight decades.
“I’m very excited to help honor this important marker in the city, given our recent growth and place among the largest and great cities of our state,” said Irvine Councilmember Mike Carroll, who proposed the item along with Councilman Anthony Kuo. “To commemorate a very important part of our state’s history and our local history here in Irvine, it’s an honor to be able to support this.” The Irvine City Council voted this week in favor of installing a marker at Barton Mound, the famed site where L.A. County Sheriff James Barton and three of his men were shot to death in 1857 by outlaw Juan Flores and his gang.
After Barton and his men were killed, locals organized a posse of at least 120 to bring Flores to justice. Flores escaped capture several times, including leaping over a 200-foot drop between Modjeska and Harding canyons in Orange County. He was finally captured, and on February 14, 1857, Flores was hanged after a group of residents in Los Angeles voted for his execution.