The California Frontier Project

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The Forgotten Lives of a California Adobe

By Damian Bacich

Preserving historical landmarks means more than just saving old buildings. It often means preserving the link to the lives lived there.

Filed Under: Californios, Field Trips, Hispanic Heritage, Mexican Rule Tagged With: Daily Lives (Standard 5)

The Castro Adobe: A Californio Landmark Restored

By Damian Bacich

The Castro Adobe: A Californio Landmark Restored

If you want to see a precious California landmark in the process of being saved for future generations, mark your calendar to visit the Joaquín Castro Adobe near Watsonville.

Filed Under: Californios, Daily Lives, Field Trips Tagged With: Adobes, Californios, Castro Adobe, Santa Cruz County, Watsonville

Mission San Rafael Arcángel: The Hospital That Became a Mission

By Damian Bacich

Originally built as a hospital outpost for Mission Dolores, Mission San Rafael Arcángel grew to become a successful mission in its own right. Nearby China Camp State Park offers a complementary glimpse into California’s unique history.  

Filed Under: Field Trips, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Chief Marin, China Camp, Coast Miwok, Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Juan Amorós, Luis Gil y Taboada, Mission San Francisco de Asís, Mission San Rafael

A Trip to San Juan Bautista on the Winter Solstice (Video)

By Damian Bacich

Solstice San Juan Bautista

https://youtu.be/P6vj46xdq8Y&rel=0 The winter solstice illuminations are a fascinating and little-known aspect of the California missions. This is the story of my trip to witness this phenomenon.

Filed Under: Catholicism, Field Trips, Franciscans, Spanish Missions, Video Tagged With: Mission San Juan Bautista, Solar Illumination, Winter Solstice

A Hidden Gem: Ulistac Natural Area (Video)

By Damian Bacich

Once a Native American settlement and later a rancho, Ulistac Natural Area is now a great place for a kid-friendly day hike in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Filed Under: Field Trips, Kids, Video Tagged With: Bay Area, day hikes

Mission San Antonio de Pala: Why You Need to Visit

By Damian Bacich

San Antonio de Pala, founded in 1816 as an asistencia (branch) of San Luis Rey, is a living Native American community and an important destination on your next visit to San Diego.

Filed Under: California Indians, Field Trips, Spanish Missions Tagged With: California, California Indians (Standard 1), Luiseño, Native Americans, Pablo Tac, Peyri, San Diego

Happy Birthday San José

By Damian Bacich

The Pueblo of San José, founded in 1777.

San José, California is the oldest city on the West Coast. In November it celebrates its birthday.

Filed Under: European Settlements, Field Trips, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: Californios, San José

I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I started the California Frontier Project. Learn more about me and the project here.

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