California Frontier

This is a special episode from the California Frontier Show archives. A growing number of people of all ages are taking up the challenge of walking the entire California mission trail. For many, it is an adventure, a spiritual pilgrimage, a scenic tour, a way to get to know themselves, or all of the above. So today, I'm going into the archives and presenting the first podcast episode I ever d...

Juan Bautista de Anza was a military officer, governor, explorer and diplomat. His life had an enormous impact on the history of California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. To learn more: Book: Carlos R. Herrera. Juan Bautista de Anza: The King’s Governor in New Mexico . Book: Vladimir Guerrero. The Anza Trail and the Settling of California . Anza Trail Guide : This guide to the J...

In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian interviews Trudi Angell, producer of the documentary film La Récua (The Mule Pack Train). La Récua follows the story of Darío Higuera, a 70-year-old Baja California ranchero, who dreams of recreating an early-20th-century mule train transporting traditional goods from Comondú to La Paz in southern Baja California. Accompanied by his son, 8...

In part two of this interview with author Eric Plunkett, we get into some real stories of people who lived through some of the enormous changes of the early years. Eric emphasizes the importance of translating and making primary sources from Spanish colonial California available, as they provide deeper and more authentic insights into the […] The post Stories of Early Orange County: Eric Plunkett,...

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 […] The post Uncovering O...

In the third part of my conversation with Marie Christine Duggan, we discuss the life and experiences of Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Cuadra, a naval officer in the Spanish colonial era.  Bodega faced financial struggles throughout his life, as his primary motivation was to prove himself rather than amass wealth. He eventually became […] The post California, Mexico and the Far East: Part 3 first...

The interview uncovers complexities in Pacific trade routes, challenging conventional narratives about the Spanish Empire’s trade. It focuses on San Blas, a naval base in New Spain, which caused discontent among Mexico City merchants. Dr. Duggan explains how the Spanish Crown aimed to weaken the Mexico City merchants by granting San Blas more autonomy, turning […] The post California, Mexico and t...

Dr. Marie Christine Duggan is a Professor of Business Management at Keene State University, which gives her a unique approach to the history of New Spain, and especially the Pacific coast. In Part 1, we talk how trade between Mexico and the Philippines impacted California’s early history. The post California, Mexico and the Far East: Pt. 1 first appeared on Early California Resource Center . The p...

In this episode, I finish my conversation with Dr. Jarrell Jackman. He gives us some insight into his personal journey, the obstacles that had to be overcome and the future of Santa Barbara’s presidio. The post 300,000 Bricks, pt. 2 first appeared on Early California Resource Center . The post 300,000 Bricks, pt. 2 appeared first on Early California Resource Center . Send a Comment. Support the sh...

Damian and his guest Dr. Jarrell Jackman discuss Dr. Jackman’s new book on Santa Barbara’s Royal Presidio. Jarrell was employed by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation for 35 years, serving as Projects Administrator and CEO. He has received many honors, including recognition from the California State Parks and the California State Parks Rangers […] The post 300,000 Adobe Bricks: Santa...

Soldiers and presidios played a key role in establishing the Spanish presence in California, but they are still misunderstood. Jarrell Jackman has been at the forefront of preserving and documenting this crucial element of the California frontier. Jarrell C. Jackman Dr. Jarrell C. Jackman was Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation for […] The post Rebuilding a Pres...

The novel Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson sparked an interest in California’s Mission Era that attracted visitors from all over the country. But Jackson’s novel was much more than nostalgia for a bygone era — it was a cry for human rights. The story of the author, her work and how Cuba’s most famous exile […] The post Ramona, the Novel that Changed California: Interview with Jonathan Alcántar first a...

This is a special episode of the California Frontier podcast. The shoe is on the other foot this time, and I am the one being interviewed. My host is Jordan Mattox, a California junior high school teacher who his passionate about California history. He has an excellent podcast, appropriately titled “History of California.” In this […] The post The Spanish Legacy in California and the Mexican War f...

The story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island was made famous by Scott O’Dell’s novel The Island of the Blue Dolphins. In this episode of the podcast, we learn more about her real life with archeologist Elisabeth Rareshide, along with a new exhibit at the Mission Santa Barbara museum. Elisabeth Rareshide Elisabeth Rareshide […] The post The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Interview with Elis...

The California frontier is full of reports of the marvelous or miraculous events that defy scientific explanation. Historian Skyler Reidy has been investigating curious stories of the mission era, and he helps us make sense of them. Skyler Reidy Skyler Reidy is a PhD candidate in the history department at the University of Southern California. […] The post The Levitating Cross at Monterey and the...

As the Spanish Empire become more consolidated, language and writing became more and more important — both for the Spanish government and for native peoples. In part 2 of this interview we learn how indigenous people in Colonial Spanish America preserved their knowledge in the face of restrictive government policies. Listen to Part 1 Highlights […] The post Native Knowledge in Colonial Latin Ameri...

The story of the Spanish missions in California has its roots in 16th century Mexico. There, Franciscan friars and their native partners sought to record the memories of Aztec elders before their culture was changed forever. The information they collected is contained in the Florentine Codex. Ezekiel Stear Dr. Ezekiel Stear is Assistant Professor of […] The post Aztec Memories and the Florentine C...

In this second part of the interview we learn about what studying economic history can reveal about the past. In particular, we learn about California’s early connections to the Far East, and how competition over the fur trade created some unusual rivalries and alliances. Highlights of Part 2: Franciscan views of money and morality. The […] The post “Follow the Money”: Interview with Marie Christi...

The story of the Spanish missions in California isn’t always what it seems. By delving into Mexico’s National Archives, Dr. Marie Christine Duggan uncovered facts that provide a unique inside view of mission life. From murder trials to Indian militias, we talk about some of the lesser-known aspects of California mission history. Marie Christine Duggan is an economic historian and Professor of Glob...

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. Learn More about Land Grants in California Land in California  by W.W. Robinson . One of the classic texts about the sa...

Why did Spanish Explorers Come to California? Spanish mariners began exploring the Pacific coast of North America in the early 16th century in hopes of finding new civilizations to join their empire. It was a time when powers such as Spain, England, France and the Ottoman Empire competed for control of land and trade in Europe, the Near East and Africa. Seeking to outflank her European rivals,  Sp...

The name “California” comes from a 16th century Spanish novel that involves a warrior queen named Calafia. But the name also has much deeper roots that connect North African pirates and a medieval epic poem. Send a Comment. Support the show Give a one-time donation Learn more about the California Frontier Project: Website YouTube Instagram Facebook Contact: damian@californiafrontier.net

The California Frontier Podcast is back! Our first season was short -- interviews with journalist and travel writer Maggie Espinosa about her pilgrimage to all 21 of the Spanish missions in California, and with Greg Bernal Smestad about his quest to preserve the Californio traditions pass on to him by his grandmother. Both were very well-received and many people have asked to hear more episodes of...

Introducing the California Frontier Podcast, dedicated to the people and stories of the California mission and rancho eras. For some months now I have been promising to launch a California Frontier Podcast . Well, as they say in Spanish, Lo prometido es deuda (“A promise is a debt”). I owe you a debt, and it is one I am happy to pay. What is a podcast?   A podcast is basically like a radio show, e...