Eric Plunkett is an amazing historian whose enthusiasm for discovering the riches of California’s past is contagious. In this episode, Damian Bacich hosts a deep-dive discussion with Eric on the history of early California, especially Orange County. They touch on indigenous languages, the California grizzly bear, and their mutual interest in archival research.
Eric shares about his partnership with the late historian Phil Brigandi, his research on the famous bandit Juan Flores, and various projects, including exploring the history of Mission San Juan Capistrano. They also discuss the importance of mentoring and collaborating in historical research and the role of historians in understanding the past and its connection to the present.
