Don Felipe Antonio de Goicoechea was born in 1747 in Cosalá, New Navarre, New Spain. He joined the Spanish military at age 35 as a cadet. In June 1782, was promoted to alférez. In 1783 while serving in the presidial company of Buenavista, Don Felipe was commissioned as lieutenant and received orders to proceed to Alta California to take command of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. He assumed command in Santa Bárbara on January 25, 1784, taking over from José Francisco Ortega. He supervised construction of the fortifications and living quarters for the soldiers and their families and remained in command until 1802. The Presidio was built based on designs he drew up in 1788.