Mexican California
Articles about California under Mexican rule.
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Three Californianas You Should Know
The early history of California is made up of many remarkable women. Fortunately, some of them left behind stories that give us…
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Mission San Francisco Solano: 10 Interesting Facts
2023 marked the 200th anniversary of the founding of Mission San Francisco Solano. Nestled in the Valley of the Moon, in the…
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San Francisco’s Overlooked Pioneer: William Alexander Leidesdorff
Although little known today, the name of William Alexander Leidesdorff is enshrined on streets in San Francisco and a town along the…
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The Forgotten Lives of a California Adobe
Preserving historical landmarks means more than just saving old buildings. It often means preserving the link to the lives lived there.
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The Bear Flag Revolt: California’s Insurgency
The Bear Flag Revolt is one of the central episodes in the events leading to the U.S. annexation of California.
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Native Vaqueros in Alta California
Vaqueros were the most important workers in the mission and rancho eras. And some of the first vaqueros were Native American. Learn…
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The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War (or the U.S. – Mexico War) was the conflict that took place between 1846 and 1848 and caused Mexico…
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Ranchos in California: The Spanish and Mexican Eras
For many years ranchos defined the early California lifestyle. Their impact remains with us today.
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How Did the California Missions End?
The California missions ended after Mexico became independent of Spain. The newly independent Mexican government eventually passed laws that called for an…
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Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo
Military commander, town founder, politician, patriarch. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was arguably the most powerful man in northern Alta California. After the American…
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Native Americans in the Rancho Era: Roberto-Suñol and Olompali
In 19th-century California, some Indians sought to recover their native lands by requesting grants from the Mexican government. The Roberto-Suñol Adobe and Olompali…
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Settlers on the California Frontier (Part 2): The Californios
What type of culture developed among settlers in Alta California? What did they call themselves? How did they live under Mexico and…