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Mission San Francisco Solano: 10 Interesting Facts

By Damian Bacich

2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of Mission San Francisco Solano. Nestled in the Valley of the Moon, in the heart of California’s wine country, the mission is an unmistakable landmark.  The simple 2,400-square-foot church stands along Sonoma’s main square, across the street from the barracks that General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo built to house the […]

Filed Under: 4th Grade, Mexican Rule, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Mission San Francisco Solano, Sonoma

The Legend of Chief Solano

By Damian Bacich

“He was of gigantic stature, standing six feet seven inches–without his stockings, for he had none. And he was large all over in proportion, with the strength of several men. His name by baptism was Francisco Solano, and by that name he was best known.” – Platon Vallejo

Filed Under: California Indians, Hispanic Heritage, Native Americans Tagged With: California Indians (Standard 1), Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Mission San Francisco Solano, Patwin, Sonoma, Suisun

California Missions: 50 Interesting Facts

By Damian Bacich

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 French privateer named Hippolyte Bouchard (known in Spanish as Hipólito Bouchard), led a series of raids along the coast of Alta California. Bouchard […]

Filed Under: Franciscans, Hispanic Heritage, Resources, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Chumash, Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Hipólito Bouchard, Mission San Diego de Alcala, mission san fernando, Mission San Francisco Solano, Mission San Juan Bautista, mission san juan capistrano, Mission San Luis Obispo, Mission San Miguel, Mission Santa Clara, Pirates

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

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

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

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  • Three Californianas You Should Know
  • Mission San Francisco Solano: 10 Interesting Facts
  • Leidesdorff’s Legacy: Land and Struggle
  • San Francisco’s Overlooked Pioneer: William Alexander Leidesdorff
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