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…

In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian interviews Trudi Angell, producer of the documentary film La Récua (The Mule Pack Train). La Récua follows the story of Darío Higuera, a 70-year-old Baja California ranchero, who dreams of recreating an early-20th-century mule train transporting traditional goods from Comondú to La Paz in s…

In part two of this interview with author Eric Plunkett, we get into some real stories of people who lived through some of the enormous changes of the early years. Eric emphasizes the importance of translating and making primary sources from Spanish colonial California available, as they provide deeper and more authentic insights into the […] The p…

Eric Plunkett is an amazing historian whose enthusiasm for discovering the riches of California’s past is contagious. In this episode, Damian Bacich hosts a deep-dive discussion with Eric on the history of early California, especially Orange County. They touch on indigenous languages, the California grizzly bear, and their mutual interest in archiv…

In the third part of my conversation with Marie Christine Duggan, we discuss the life and experiences of Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Cuadra, a naval officer in the Spanish colonial era. Bodega faced financial struggles throughout his life, as his primary motivation was to prove himself rather than amass wealth. He eventually became […] The post C…

The interview uncovers complexities in Pacific trade routes, challenging conventional narratives about the Spanish Empire’s trade. It focuses on San Blas, a naval base in New Spain, which caused discontent among Mexico City merchants. Dr. Duggan explains how the Spanish Crown aimed to weaken the Mexico City merchants by granting San Blas more auton…

Dr. Marie Christine Duggan is a Professor of Business Management at Keene State University, which gives her a unique approach to the history of New Spain, and especially the Pacific coast. In Part 1, we talk how trade between Mexico and the Philippines impacted California’s early history. The post California, Mexico and the Far East: Pt. 1 first ap…

In this episode, I finish my conversation with Dr. Jarrell Jackman. He gives us some insight into his personal journey, the obstacles that had to be overcome and the future of Santa Barbara’s presidio. The post 300,000 Bricks, pt. 2 first appeared on Early California Resource Center. The post 300,000 Bricks, pt. 2 appeared first on Early California…

Damian and his guest Dr. Jarrell Jackman discuss Dr. Jackman’s new book on Santa Barbara’s Royal Presidio. Jarrell was employed by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation for 35 years, serving as Projects Administrator and CEO. He has received many honors, including recognition from the California State Parks and the California State Park…

Soldiers and presidios played a key role in establishing the Spanish presence in California, but they are still misunderstood. Jarrell Jackman has been at the forefront of preserving and documenting this crucial element of the California frontier. Jarrell C. Jackman Dr. Jarrell C. Jackman was Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Trust for Histor…

The novel Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson sparked an interest in California’s Mission Era that attracted visitors from all over the country. But Jackson’s novel was much more than nostalgia for a bygone era — it was a cry for human rights. The story of the author, her work and how Cuba’s most famous exile […] The post Ramona, the Novel that Changed Ca…

This is a special episode of the California Frontier podcast. The shoe is on the other foot this time, and I am the one being interviewed. My host is Jordan Mattox, a California junior high school teacher who his passionate about California history. He has an excellent podcast, appropriately titled “History of California.” In this […] The post The …

The story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island was made famous by Scott O’Dell’s novel The Island of the Blue Dolphins. In this episode of the podcast, we learn more about her real life with archeologist Elisabeth Rareshide, along with a new exhibit at the Mission Santa Barbara museum. Elisabeth Rareshide Elisabeth Rareshide […] The post The Lon…

The California frontier is full of reports of the marvelous or miraculous events that defy scientific explanation. Historian Skyler Reidy has been investigating curious stories of the mission era, and he helps us make sense of them. Skyler Reidy Skyler Reidy is a PhD candidate in the history department at the University of Southern California. […] …

As the Spanish Empire become more consolidated, language and writing became more and more important — both for the Spanish government and for native peoples. In part 2 of this interview we learn how indigenous people in Colonial Spanish America preserved their knowledge in the face of restrictive government policies. Listen to Part 1 Highlights […]…

The story of the Spanish missions in California has its roots in 16th century Mexico. There, Franciscan friars and their native partners sought to record the memories of Aztec elders before their culture was changed forever. The information they collected is contained in the Florentine Codex. Ezekiel Stear Dr. Ezekiel Stear is Assistant Professor o…

In this second part of the interview we learn about what studying economic history can reveal about the past. In particular, we learn about California’s early connections to the Far East, and how competition over the fur trade created some unusual rivalries and alliances. Highlights of Part 2: Franciscan views of money and morality. The […] The pos…

The story of the Spanish missions in California isn’t always what it seems. By delving into Mexico’s National Archives, Dr. Marie Christine Duggan uncovered facts that provide a unique inside view of mission life. From murder trials to Indian militias, we talk about some of the lesser-known aspects of California mission history. Marie Christine Dug…

The story of land ownership in modern California begins with the practice of Spanish land grants. Beginning in the 18th century, Spain allowed farming and ranching by private individuals in California. In the 19th century the Mexican government continued and expanded the program. Learn More about Land Grants in California Land in California by W.W.…

Why did Spanish Explorers Come to California? Spanish mariners began exploring the Pacific coast of North America in the early 16th century in hopes of finding new civilizations to join their empire. It was a time when powers such as Spain, England, France and the Ottoman Empire competed for control of land and trade in Europe, the Near East and Af…

The name “California” comes from a 16th century Spanish novel that involves a warrior queen named Calafia. But the name also has much deeper roots that connect North African pirates and a medieval epic poem. Support the Show. Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: damia…

The California Frontier Podcast is back! Our first season was short -- interviews with journalist and travel writer Maggie Espinosa about her pilgrimage to all 21 of the Spanish missions in California, and with Greg Bernal Smestad about his quest to preserve the Californio traditions pass on to him by his grandmother. Both were very well-received a…

Introducing the California Frontier Podcast, dedicated to the people and stories of the California mission and rancho eras. For some months now I have been promising to launch a California Frontier Podcast. Well, as they say in Spanish, Lo prometido es deuda (“A promise is a debt”). I owe you a debt, and it is one I am happy to pay. What is a podca…