Tales of Mexican California: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs - Part 2 To hear Part 1, go to Episode 065. In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian Bacich continues exploring the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel. Coronel's account provides a riveting look into his experiences as a Superior Court Judge in Mexican California during the 184…

In the second half of my interview with Father Paul Mark Swan, Abbot of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, we find out about the journey of a medieval Spanish monastery, brought to San Francisco by William Randolph Hearst, and later reassembled in Vina, California. Fr. Paul describes the meticulous process of restoring the Romanesque-Gothic church, as wel…

Part 1 of this interview explores the rich history of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Roman Catholic monastery in Vina, California. The abbey is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, a monastic lifestyle that began over 1,500 years ago. Abbot Fr. Paul Mark Schwan shares how through the monastery, medieval European monasticism intersected with U.S. wes…

In Part 2 of my conversation with author James Tejani, we delve into the Civil War's role in shaping California's economic and political landscape. The discussion highlights the transformation of California from the Gold Rush period to an industrial powerhouse in the late 19th century, emphasizing the importance of the transcontinental railroad. Ja…

In Part 1, we sit down with author James Tejani to discuss his book, A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America. The conversation delves into the historical context of the Gold Rush, demographic shifts in California, and the significant roles played by individuals like Edward Ord and Manuel Dominguez. We al…

A quick message of thanks at the end of 2024 from the California Frontier Project. Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: [email protected] Damian Bacich

In the first episode of this series, we explore the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel, a significant figure in Southern California's Mexican past. Coronel takes us through his reminiscences of the struggles the controversial Híjar-Padrés Colony faced in early California. He describes the hardships encountered by the colonists, the betrayal by Don M…

In this episode, we conclude the story of Fr. José María del Real. We cover the U.S. annexation and occupation of California and the tensions between new American settlers and the local population. We delve into Father Real's efforts to accommodate new immigrants, his rumored illegal sales of mission property, and his eventual departure from the mi…

In this episode, we delve further into the life and challenges faced by Fr. José María Suárez del Real, the last Franciscan missionary at Mission Santa Clara. The episode recounts Father Real's advocacy for the native people, his disputes with local elites, and the hardships he endured, including the occupation by militia troops. The narrative also…

In this episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Father José María Suárez del Real, a Mexican Franciscan missionary in 1840s California. Through anecdotes and historical context, we explore his role during the mission secularization period, his challenges in Alta California, and his impact on the local communities and California history. The e…

In Part 2 of our conversation, we delve into the 1775 sacking of Mission San Diego de Alcalá, a pivotal event in California's history. Richard's detailed research challenges mainstream historical accounts and highlights the specific involvement of the Tipai subgroup of the Kumeyaay people in the attack. Richard discusses the complex motives behind …

In Part 1 of this interview, I speak with archeologist Richard Carrico, a prominent expert on the Native peoples of California, especially those in the San Diego area. Carrico shares his intriguing journey into archaeology, beginning with his service in the U.S. Army and a twist of fate that led him to discover his passion for archaeological studie…

This solo episode explores how two ambitious foreigners, one a Scotsman and the other an American, navigated life in Mexican California during the 1830s and 1840s. Though both shared a common language and elite backgrounds, their approaches to Californio society couldn’t have been more different. One embraced the culture, marrying into a prominent …

In Part 2 of my interview with Eric Plunkett about early explorations of California, we begin with the shipwreck of the San Agustin in 1595 at Drake's Bay, recognized as California's first shipwreck. Eric goes on to discuss Pedro de Unamuno's overland incursion in 1587, which included the first recorded conflict with native people in California. We…

Join host Damian Bacich and guest Eric Plunkett as they dive into the fascinating early maritime history of California. Plunkett reveals surprising details about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's 1542 expedition, including his connection to Cortez and the fall of Tenochtitlan. Learn how Cabrillo documented Chumash village names that remained unchanged for …

In Part 2 of my interview with Helena Hazleton, Museum Director at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, we discuss its later history and some features that make it stand out among missions. Main topics of Part 2: The mission's unique architecture, including its distinctive dome and lavandería Rare Spanish colonial artworks, some with surprising origins…

In this episode, I interview art historian Helena Hazleton, Director of the Museum at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, California. In this captivating conversation, Helena shares her expertise on one of the largest and most productive California missions. Main topics of Part 1: - The unique history and founding of Mission San Luis Rey …

We've published 50 episodes and it is time to check in about where the California Frontier Project is going. Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: [email protected] Damian Bacich, Ph.D.

In Part 2 of this interview, author Jeremy Beer discusses his new book Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest. Beer delves into the life and legacy of Franciscan friar Francisco Garcés, a key figure in early Spanish exploration and missionary work in the American Southwest during the late 18t…

This is Part 1 of an interview with author Jeremy Beer about his new book Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of Fray Francisco Garcés, a Franciscan Friar and lesser-known but remarkable explorer, and his extensive travels across one of North America…

This is the third and final installment exploring the recollections of Carlos N. Híjar, who came to Alta California from Mexico in 1834 at age eight. Key points include: Detailed description of wine and brandy production methods at the missions. Explanation of flour-making techniques using millstones. In-depth discussion of marriage customs among C…

In this episode, we continue exploring the memoirs of Carlos N. Híjar, who came to Alta California as a young boy in 1834. The episode focuses on daily life in Alta California during the Spanish and Mexican eras, particularly in Santa Barbara. Key points include: 1. Description of popular dances and songs, including details on how they were perform…

The episode focuses on the recollections of Carlos N. Híjar, who arrived in Alta California in 1834 as a child. Híjar's memoir provides insights into daily life, customs, and entertainment in 1830s California. Key points covered include: Description of Californios' appearance, including long braided hair and distinctive hats. Details about clothing…

This episode explores the complex history of the Mexican-American War and its lasting impact on North America. In it, we cover: Spanish presence in North America and the formation of the United States The Louisiana Purchase and its significance Texas independence and annexation by the U.S. Tensions leading to war between the U.S. and Mexico Key bat…

In the second part of our interview, Dr. John Johnson, former Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, delves deeper into the legacy and aftermath of the 1824 Chumash Uprising in California: - The long-term impacts of the uprising on California's history - Why most Chumash people returned to the missions after the rev…

In Part 1 of this fascinating interview, Dr. John Johnson, former Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, provides an in-depth look at the Chumash Uprising of 1824 - the most important indigenous uprising in California history. Dr. Johnson, an expert on California's Native peoples, especially the Chumash Indians, sha…

In today's interview, I am talking with archaeologist Jennifer Lucido. Jennifer has worked at several important historical sites in the Monterey area and has recently traced the genealogies of some of California's early poblador families. Her fascinating work has shed light on how their ethnic identities shifted as they arrived in a new territory. …

It is summer and time for a short update on the show. Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: [email protected] Damian Bacich, Ph.D.

The Bear Flag Revolt is one of the central episodes in the events leading to the U.S. annexation of California. In June of 1846, a group of Americans took over the Mexican Pueblo of Sonoma and declared a new “California Republic.” This is the story of their uprising. Episode transcript: https://www.californiafrontier.net/bear-flag-revolt/ Recommend…

Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: [email protected] Damian Bacich, Ph.D.

Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: [email protected] Damian Bacich, Ph.D.

In part 2 of this interview, we delve further into the hidden astronomical alignments of many California mission churches. The orientations allowed sunlight to illuminate altars, tabernacles, and statues of saints on specific liturgical dates like the solstices, equinoxes, and religious feasts. Dr. Rubén G. Mendoza explains the advanced knowledge o…

In Part 1 of this interview, I talk with trailblazing archaeologist Dr. Rubén Mendoza. Recounting his unexpected path from a curious young boy to a renowned scholar, Mendoza shares his pioneering work decoding the California missions' architectural secrets. His discoveries point to an incredible cosmic architecture. The missions were constructed wi…

Towering over people at 6'7", the imposing figure of Chief Francisco Solano loomed large in early 19th-century California. Born a Suisun native named Sina, he received the name Francisco Solano at his Mission Dolores baptism in 1810. Solano rose to become a formidable military leader, commanding thousands of indigenous warriors for the Mexican auth…

This episode is dedicated the remarkable life of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a central figure in the pivotal era of California's origins. Born into a military family in 1808 Monterey, Vallejo's thirst for knowledge and quick wit allowed him to receive a prestigious education from the governor himself. Vallejo rapidly ascended the military ranks, bec…

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo is best known for being the first European to successfully navigate the Pacific coast of what is today California to points north of the San Francisco Bay. During the voyage, he and his men disembarked at several points and made direct contact with the Native American inhabitants of the coast and Channel Islands. His and his…

In this episode, I give my take on the California Missions Foundation conference that took place on April 12-14. It was the first in-person conference since 2020, making it an important occasion to reconnect with California history in a special way. The California Missions Foundation does a huge amount to preserve the physical reminders of Californ…

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Jason Sexton, we delve into Kevin's attempt to understand the "California experience." Kevin Starr tried to chronicle California's history in a nuanced yet idealistic way, which connected him to earlier California historians such as Josiah Royce. According to Jason, Starr was an open-minded, generous figure who…

This is the first part of a lively conversation with Dr. Jason Sexton, editor of a book on the renowned California historian Kevin Starr (1940-2017). Sexton describes Starr as California’s most ambitious interpreter. Starr’s 8-volume history, spanning the state’s origins to the 2000s, is the most complete work on California in print. Kevin Starr gr…

Imagine California today without any remnants of its Spanish and Mexican past. That almost happened until a group of determined women took action to preserve the state's Hispanic heritage. At the turn of the 20th century, the historic El Camino Real trail connecting the California missions was crumbling into disrepair and faced being lost forever. …

The California missions ended after Mexico became independent of Spain. The newly independent Mexican government eventually passed laws that called for an end to the mission system through “secularization.” The laws mandated the missions to be turned over to the Native American converts and converted into secular towns, with the land divided among …

The episode chronicles the story of Fr. José Altimira, a Spanish Franciscan missionary in early 19th century California. Altimira pushed to establish a new mission north of San Francisco Bay, clashing with his Franciscan superiors; he explored the Sonoma Valley and established a new mission in 1823 with support from Mexican civil authorities. Thoug…

In this episode, we look at the history of Native American Vaqueros. Vaqueros were skilled horsemen who managed cattle and horses. Their tradition probably originates in the horse culture that arrived in Spain from North Africa in the 8th century AD and is widespread in Latin America. The mission era brought ranching life to Alta California and cre…

In this episode, we look at Native American life at Mission San Miguel Arcángel through the eyes of the padres who oversaw the mission. Mission San Miguel is located in central California, almost equally distant from San Francisco to the north and Los Angeles to the south. In 1813, the Spanish Government sent a questionnaire to the priests of the C…

In this episode, we delve into the lives of three remarkable women from early San Diego whose stories offer profound insights into the tumultuous times of California's frontier era. Drawing from the rich narratives preserved in Testimonios: Early California Through the Eyes of Women, 1815-1848 by Rose Marie Beebe and Robert Senkewicz, we explore th…

This episode features an intriguing conversation with Jorge Del Castillo as he shares his experiences following the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. This historic trail was a route used by Spanish settlers in the 18th century to reach Northern California from New Spain (Mexico). Jorge describes his journey, detailing various memorable…

This is a special episode from the California Frontier Show archives. In this episode, I speak with Greg Bernal-Mendoza Smestad, a direct descendant of the families who settled Alta California over 200 years ago. Greg talks to us about their journey, the character of those who risked their lives to come north, and the legacy they passed on. When Sp…

Although little known today, the name of William Alexander Leidesdorff is enshrined on streets in San Francisco and a town along the American River. He was also one of California’s pioneers of African descent and instrumental in bringing about the American annexation of California. Further Reading: William Alexander Leidesdorff – First Black Millio…

This is a special episode from the California Frontier Show archives. A growing number of people of all ages are taking up the challenge of walking the entire California mission trail. For many, it is an adventure, a spiritual pilgrimage, a scenic tour, a way to get to know themselves, or all of the above. So today, I'm going into the archives and …

Juan Bautista de Anza was a military officer, governor, explorer and diplomat. His life had an enormous impact on the history of California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. To learn more: Book: Carlos R. Herrera. Juan Bautista de Anza: The King’s Governor in New Mexico. Book: Vladimir Guerrero. The Anza Trail and the Settling of Ca…