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]
What did Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo do and why is he important? 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 … [Continue reading]
For many years ranchos defined the early California lifestyle. Their impact remains with us today. … [Continue reading]
How did the Missions Affect California? Much of the culture of California has its roots in the history of the Spanish missions. And although the missions were only fully active for about 60 years, their presence had a major impact on many areas of … [Continue reading]
What was daily life like for Native Americans at Mission San Diego de Alcalá? What did they eat? What jobs did they do? An introduction to life at Alta California’s 1st Spanish Mission. Who Founded Mission San Diego de Alcalá and When Was It … [Continue reading]
Native Americans came to the California missions for a variety of reasons. Some of these were: protection from their enemies, access to stable food sources, attraction to Spanish culture and religion, fear of Spanish weapons and a desire to stay … [Continue reading]
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 a process called “secularization.” Secularization: … [Continue reading]
The Chumash are a widespread group of California native people who lived along the southern California coast and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. … [Continue reading]