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. Birth Juan Bautista de Anza was baptized at … [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]
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 … [Continue reading]
What was daily life like for Native Americans at Mission Santa Cruz? What did they eat? What jobs did they do? An introduction to life at Alta California’s 12th Spanish Mission. Where is Mission Santa Cruz Located? Mission Santa Cruz is located … [Continue reading]
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. … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
The California missions are home to fascinating stories and interesting facts. The following is a list 50 things you might not know about the missions-- but there are many more to discover. Pirate Raid In 1818, a … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
What was daily life like for Native Americans at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel? What did they eat? What jobs did they do? An introduction to life at Alta California's 4th Spanish Mission. Who Founded Mission San Gabriel? Mission San Gabriel Arcángel … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
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. … [Continue reading]
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. … [Continue reading]
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 … [Continue reading]
The Mexican-American War (or the U.S. - Mexico War) was the conflict that took place between 1846 and 1848 and caused Mexico to lose close to half of its territory and the U.S. to acquire what is today Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and … [Continue reading]
The Kumeyaay are indigenous people who live on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, in southwestern California and northwestern Baja California. They traditionally spoke languages related to each other, and many were connected to Mission San … [Continue reading]