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 … [Continue reading]
The early history of California is made up of many remarkable women. Fortunately, some of them left behind stories that give us important glimpses into life in frontier times. The three women below all lived in San Diego, but their lives took … [Continue reading]
2023 marked the 200th anniversary of the founding of Mission San Francisco Solano. Nestled in the Valley of the Moon, in the heart of California’s wine country, the mission is an unmistakable landmark. The simple 2,400-square-foot church stands … [Continue reading]
During his short life, William Alexander Leidesdorff accumulated great wealth. Yet, what happened to his wealth after he died is a story in itself. The Aftermath of Leidesdorff's Death In addition to his riches, Leidesdorff left many debts. … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
The Luiseño people are an indigenous group of coastal Southern California with a unique language and culture. The introduction of the mission introduced major changes into Luiseño life, including a new religion (Christianity) and the adoption … [Continue reading]
In the early decades of the nineteenth century, growing numbers of people came to Alta California. The routes they took and the lives they established changed the history of the region. Immigration by Sea After independence from Spain, the … [Continue reading]
“He was of gigantic stature, standing six feet seven inches–without his stockings, for he had none. And he was large all over in proportion, with the strength of several men. His name by baptism was Francisco Solano, and by that name he was best … [Continue reading]
246 years ago a group of some two hundred people arrived at the Presidio of San Francisco after an arduous trek from Tubac in what is today southern Arizona. They were led by the intrepid frontier officer Juan Bautista de Anza, who had made an … [Continue reading]
Imagine California with no landmarks from before 1848, and no structures dating to the Spanish and Mexican periods. How different might the state be? Were it not for the efforts of some women determined to stop the erasure of the past, that might … [Continue reading]
In his memoirs about life in rancho era California, José Jesús López describes how his father joined the "California Army": … [Continue reading]
In a previous post I shared some recollections of José Jesús López, a legendary vaquero of Rancho El Tejón in Kern County. Don José was born in 1852 in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, what was then called "El Paredón Blanco." … [Continue reading]
What was life like in California's Rancho period? Some have portrayed it as an idyllic time. They imagine young señores and señoritas lounging around on the porches of their tile-roofed haciendas. But first-hand accounts often tell a rougher story. … [Continue reading]
Preserving historical landmarks means more than just saving old buildings. It often means preserving the link to the lives lived there. For decades California's historic rancho adobes have been disappearing from the landscape. For example, in the … [Continue reading]
Shortly after the end of the Mexican-American War, William Rich Hutton recalled visiting Doña Angustias de la Guerra Jimeno in Monterey as a twenty-one-year-old volunteer with the U.S. occupation troops. … [Continue reading]
After coming to Mexican California in 1822 on a whaling ship, Englishman William Richardson decided to stay. He married María Antonia Martínez, the daughter of Presidio Commander Ygnacio Martínez (after whom the city of Martinez is named). As … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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 and New Mexico, as well as Northern Mexico. Support the Podcast. Birth Juan … [Continue reading]
Vaqueros were the most important workers in the mission and rancho eras. And some of the first vaqueros were Native American. Learn more about these unique figures on the California frontier. What Does "Vaquero" Mean? The word vaquero is … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]