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California’s Untold Maritime History with Author Eric Plunkett
Join host Damian Bacich and guest Eric Plunkett as they dive into the fascinating early maritime history of California. Eric Plunkett is a historian based in San Juan Capistrano specializing in early California exploration and indigenous history. In Part 1, 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 centuries and how Native American trade networks helped Spanish explorers communicate across vast distances. Discover lesser-known stories of the Manila Galleons, shipwrecks, and a possible “California Cabeza de Vaca” – a Spanish ship captain who may have walked from Northern…
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Secrets of Mission San Luis Rey with Helena Hazleton
In this interview, I speak with 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: Helena provides fascinating insights into the mission’s architecture, its relationship with local indigenous peoples, and its place in California history. This interview offers a wealth of knowledge about one of the state’s most important historical sites. Main topics of Part 2: After listening to this episode, I’m sure you will want to visit the King of the Missions.
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Beyond the Devil’s Road: Interview With Author Dr. Jeremy Beer
This is a two-part interview with author Jeremy Beer about his new book Beyond the Devil’s Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest. In Part 1, 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’s harshest environments. The interview sheds light on Garcés’ unique contributions through a detailed narrative of his life and the historical context of Spanish missions in the U.S. Southwest. Learn about the research, the hardships, and the incredible journeys that marked this intriguing chapter of early American history. Highlights of Part 1: 00:00 Introduction to…
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California in 1834: The Memoirs of Carlos N. Híjar
Carlos N. Híjar was eight years old when he came to California from Jalisco, Mexico, in 1834. Four decades later, he described his recollections of Mexican California to an interviewer working for historian Hubert Howe Bancroft. Bancroft was interested in collecting the oral testimonies of people who had lived through California’s Spanish and Mexican periods. This three-part series explores excerpts from Carlos’ memoirs to better understand life in Rancho Era California. Key points of Part 1: Key points of Part 2: Key points of Part 3:
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The Chumash Uprising: Interview with Dr. John R. Johnson
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, shares his extensive research on this pivotal uprising that occurred exactly 200 years ago. In Part 1, he discusses: In Part 2, he covers: Drawing from mission records, oral histories, and extensive archival research, Dr. Johnson provides a nuanced view of this pivotal event and its place in the broader context of California’s Spanish and Mexican periods. Learn more: The…
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Californios and Ethnicity: Interview with Archaeologist Jennifer Lucido
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. In our conversation, we discuss the complex ethnic classifications of New Spain, how the frontier simplified them and how today’s categories of nationality and race don’t always match how people thought of themselves 200 years ago. We also delve into the role of social mobility and class consciousness in Spanish and Mexican California. Listen here, or…
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Secrets of Mission Architecture
Two-Part Interview with Dr. Rubén Mendoza Part 1 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 missions’ architectural secrets. His discoveries point to an incredible cosmic architecture. The missions were constructed with startling precision to capture rays of sunlight during solstices, equinoxes, and sacred feast days. This strategic solar geometry suggests a profound intermingling of European and indigenous astronomy. Mendoza builds a compelling case that the missions embody a masterful hybrid tradition melding European and Native American influences into an architectural marvel. Part 2…
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An Inside Look at the California Missions Conference
In this episode, I give my take on the California Missions Foundation conference that took place 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 California’s early past, particularly the missions, ranchos, and presidios. It also supports scholarship into California’s native, mission, and rancho history. Each year, the conference is hosted by one of California’s 21 missions. This year’s conference events took place at two missions: La Purísima in Lompoc for the paper presentations and Mission Santa Inés for the banquet…
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Kevin Starr’s Vision: Interview with Jason Sexton, Pt. 2
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 and Carey McWilliams. According to Jason, Starr was an open-minded, generous figure who sought to bring people together through his writings that celebrate ordinary Californians. His Catholic faith shaped this vision of California, and his honesty and empathy helped him grapple with darker aspects of the state’s history, like the treatment of Native Americans. Along the way, Jason introduces us to Starr’s major works, like Endangered…
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History and California’s Redemption: Interview with author Jason Sexton, Pt. 1
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 grew up in an orphanage and San Francisco’s housing projects. As a young man, he studied at the University of San Francisco before serving in the U.S. Army in Europe. He later went on to earn a doctorate at Harvard University and became a prolific newspaper columnist before dedicating himself to interpreting California history. Through his…
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Traversing Time: The Odyssey of the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail
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 sites, and shares his love for the history of California, the West, and Mexico. He also offers practical travel advice for anyone interested in following the trail, emphasizing the richness the trip adds to one’s understanding of history and culture. Additionally, Jorge shares his perspective on the Spanish influence on culture and historical sites in the Southwest.…
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An Epic Journey Through Time: The Story of “La Récua”
In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, I interview Trudi Angell, producer of the documentary film La Récua (The Mule Pack Train). La Récua follows the story of Dario 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 southern Baja California. Accompanied by his son, 8-year-old grandson, and friends, Dario plans to travel 200 miles on mule-back through the daunting Baja outback, retracing historical routes and discovering never-before-filmed sections of El Camino Real. Along the way, the travelers face dangers, encounter old and new friends, and exchange memories, providing viewers with insights into the traditional…
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Stories of Early Orange County: Eric Plunkett, Part 2
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 lives of persons and communities during that period. Eric finds the connections he makes with people through his research to be incredibly rewarding. He especially enjoys meeting descendants of historical figures and learning about their family history, and these connections often lead him to new sources and stories. He believes that while we can find…
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Uncovering Orange County’s Hidden History with Eric Plunkett (Pt. 1)
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 archival research. Eric shares about his partnership with the late historian Phil Brigandi, his research on the famous bandit Juan Flores, and various projects, including exploring the history of Mission San Juan Capistrano. They also discuss the importance of mentoring and collaborating in historical research and the role of historians in understanding the past and its connection to the…
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California, Mexico and the Far East: Part 3
In the third part of my conversation with Marie Christine Duggan, we discuss the life and experiences of Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, 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 commander of the San Blas Naval Station and was known for his exceptional sailing and navigation skills, as well as his ability to inspire his crew. The interview touches on Bodega’s personal connections with native people and merchants due to his upbringing in a wealthy family. His family members held significant positions of power,…
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The Coast Miwok: People of the Northern California Coast (Part 2)
Read Part 1 here. First Encounters with Europeans Early Explorations The Coast Miwok people’s encounters with Europeans date back to the sixteenth century. In 1579, the English privateer Francis Drake made landfall along the northern California coast. There, he probably met Coast Miwok people. Portuguese explorer Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho — also known as Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño — surveyed the northern California coast for the Spanish crown in 1595-96. Historians believe he interacted with the Coast Miwok. Spanish Missions The Coast Miwok began to enter the Spanish missions as early as the 1770s at Mission San Francisco de Asís. Later, they entered San Rafael (founded in 1817) and San Francisco…
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The Coast Miwok: People of the Northern California Coast (Part 1)
The Coast Miwok are indigenous people of the area north of San Francisco Bay. Coast Miwok Territory The name “Coast Miwok” refers to the Native American communities who lived along the California coast north of the San Francisco Bay, in what is today Marin and parts of Sonoma Counties. The terrain of that area is made up of coastal beaches, bays, lagoons and marshes, as well as low hills and open valleys. Mount Tamalpais, the peak with the highest elevation, dominates the area. The Coast Miwok Language The Coast Miwok share a similar language with other Miwok groups, such as the Bay, Plains and Sierra Miwok. The name “Miwok” comes…
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California, Mexico and the Far East: Part 2
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 autonomy, turning it into an international port. They discuss contraband trade, where some, like ship captains, engaged in secret trading for extra income. Finally, we discuss the fascinating figure of Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Cuadra and his exploration of the northern coast, as well as his interactions with native people. If you would like to…
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California, Mexico and the Far East: Pt. 1
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.
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300,000 Bricks, pt. 2
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.
