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 Bear Flag Revolt: California’s Insurgency

By Damian Bacich

The Bear Flag Revolt is one of the central episodes in the events leading to the U.S. annexation of California.

Filed Under: Californios, Mexican Rule Tagged With: Bear Flag, Frémont, Ide, Mexican-American War, Osos, Sonoma

Indian Vaqueros in Alta California

By Damian Bacich

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 usually translated as “cowboy” in English, and literally means “someone in charge of cows.” It also […]

Filed Under: Daily Lives, Mexican Rule, Native Americans, Spanish Missions Tagged With: horses, Ranchos, soldados, Vaqueros

The Mexican-American War

By Damian Bacich

Mexico before Texas Independence

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 California. The Spanish in North America and the Treaty of […]

Filed Under: Hispanic Heritage, Mexican Rule Tagged With: Cahuenga, Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Mexico, San Pascual, U.S.-Mexico War

Ranchos in California: The Spanish and Mexican Eras

By Damian Bacich

For many years ranchos defined the early California lifestyle. Their impact remains with us today.

Filed Under: Californios, Hispanic Heritage, Mexican Rule Tagged With: Andrés Pico, Domínguez, Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Monterey, Pío Pico, Rancho Camulos, Vaqueros

How Did the California Missions End?

By Damian Bacich

Mission Secularization

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: The end of the Spanish missions in California To visit the California missions today is an impressive experience. The church buildings, gardens […]

Filed Under: Mexican Rule, Spanish Missions Tagged With: El Camino Real, Mission San Diego de Alcala, Mission Santa Bárbara, Secularization

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo: General of the Northern Frontier

By Damian Bacich

Military commander, town founder, politician, patriarch. Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was arguably the most powerful man in northern Alta California. After the American takeover, he helped form the new state and fought to preserve the history of Spanish and Mexican California.

Filed Under: Californios, Hispanic Heritage, Mexican Rule, Soldiers and Presidios Tagged With: Benicia, Chief Solano, Sonoma, Vallejo

Native Americans in the Rancho Era: Roberto-Suñol and Olompali

By Damian Bacich

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 State Historic Park commemorate two men who did just that.

Filed Under: California Indians, Mexican Rule Tagged With: Adobes, Bay Area, California history, California Indians (Standard 1), Coast Miwok, living history, Miwok, Native Americans, Ohlone, Rancho Era, San José, State Park

Settlers on the California Frontier (Part 2): The Californios

By Damian Bacich

What type of culture developed among settlers in Alta California? What did they call themselves? How did they live under Mexico and Spain? And how did they respond to American rule?

Filed Under: Californios, Daily Lives, European Settlements, Mexican Rule, Mexican War for Independence, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: Californios, Daily Lives (Standard 5), U.S.-Mexico War

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

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