The California Frontier Project

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Tar Roofs and Whale Intestine Windows

By Damian Bacich

José Jesús López grew up in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in the 1850s, in the neighborhood of *El Paredón Blanco* (today’s Boyle Heights).

Filed Under: Hispanic Heritage Tagged With: Californios, Daily Lives (Standard 5), Los Angeles, Primary Sources, Rancho Era, Ranchos

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

Land Grants in Alta California

By Damian Bacich

The story of land ownership in modern California begins with the practice of Spanish land grants. Beginning in the 18th century, Spain allowed farming and ranching by private individuals in California. In the 19th century the Mexican government continued and expanded the program. Land Laws in Spain The laws and customs about who could own […]

Filed Under: European Settlements, Hispanic Heritage, Podcast Episodes, Resources, Spanish Exploration and Colonization Tagged With: California Land Act, Laws of Indies, Presidios, Pueblos, Ranchos, Secularization, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

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

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