California Frontier

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California Frontier

Damian Bacich, Ph.D.

80 episodes

4 days ago

In this episode, I interview April Farham, who shares her fascinating work on the lives of early California settlers, specifically indigenous and Mestiza women. April discusses her personal journey into historical research that focuses on California's frontier in the 18th and 19th centuries. She elaborates on her work at the Maidu Indian Museum and her passion for unraveling the stories behind the extensive basket collections and their connection to indigenous women. The conversation also tou...

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Society & Culture

All content for California Frontier is the property of Damian Bacich, Ph.D. and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode, I interview April Farham, who shares her fascinating work on the lives of early California settlers, specifically indigenous and Mestiza women. April discusses her personal journey into historical research that focuses on California's frontier in the 18th and 19th centuries. She elaborates on her work at the Maidu Indian Museum and her passion for unraveling the stories behind the extensive basket collections and their connection to indigenous women. The conversation also tou...

Show more...

Places & Travel,

Society & Culture

Episodes (20/80)

California Frontier

078: True Visual History of California Part 3 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

Exploring Historical Illustrations and California's Cultural Heritage with David W. Rickman Watch to the full YouTube video In the final installment of this interview series, historian and illustrator David W. Rickman delves into the history of Russians on Northern California's coast, his contributions to national and state parks, collaborations with the Smithsonian Institution, and his esteemed Sutter's Fort Costume Manual. David also discusses his forthcoming book on clothing and ma...

3 weeks ago

27 minutes

California Frontier

077: True Visual History of California Part 2 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

In the second part of our interview with illustrator and historian David W. Rickman, we delve into his research methodologies and his quest to accurately depict historical clothing. We discuss how Hollywood has influenced our perceptions of the American West and the common misconceptions about Native American attire in the past. David shares his experiences researching in various museums, including the National History Museum in Los Angeles and the de Young Museum, and talks about the challen...

1 month ago

33 minutes

California Frontier

076: True Visual History of California Part 1 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian

Join us for Part 1 of an interview with artist and historian David W. Rickman, renowned for his illustrations of California history and the Spanish borderlands. In this episode, we delve into the misconceptions influenced by Hollywood and incomplete historical records, and how David's unique expertise helps correct these narratives. Learn about his fascinating work on early Californian dress, the visual culture of the American West, and the painstaking research process behind his ...

1 month ago

40 minutes

California Frontier

075: Life in the Gold Fields | Tales of Mexican California Part 4

Antonio Coronel’s Gold Rush Tales in Mexican California In the final installment of 'The Tales of Mexican California,' we follow Antonio Coronel's vivid recount of his time in the Northern California gold fields post-1848. Coronel, who initially settled in Los Angeles after arriving from Mexico in 1834, shares graphic and poignant stories from the Gold Rush era. These include violent episodes, massacres of Native people, and the lawlessness that prevailed among fortune seekers.&n...

2 months ago

43 minutes

California Frontier

074: Pirates in California? | Michael Hardwick Part 2

In the second part of my interview with Michael Hardwick, we hear about Hippolyte Bouchard, a pirate who raided California's coast, and learn about the history of the Spanish and Mexican presidios. This episode explores sea battles, invasions, and the armaments used during California's conquest and defense. Historian Michael R. Hardwick shares insights into powder supplies, Spanish cannons, and colonial history from 1769 to the Mexican War. In an interesting twist, Michael introduces al...

2 months ago

37 minutes

California Frontier

073: Presidios and Soldados in California Part 1 | Author Michael Hardwick

In this episode, I delve into the often overlooked history of the Spanish Presidios in California with expert Michael Hardwick, author of Spanish Arms and Armaments of the Presidios in California. Michael shares his extensive research on Spanish military fortifications during the colonial period. We discuss the arms, armaments, and strategies of these garrisons, their role in supporting the missions, and their adaptation to coastal defenses. Michael also shares personal anecdotes ...

2 months ago

45 minutes

California Frontier

072: The Revolt of Los Angeles: Tales of Mexican California Part 3

Join me for another excerpt from Antonio Franco Coronel's memoirs, Tales of Mexican California. In this episode, we hear about the events of 1846, when the US military began its invasion and occupation of California. Coronel recounts Marine Captain Gillespie's heavy-handed rule in Los Angeles, local reactions to U.S. occupation, and the events leading to the (likely avoidable) revolt of the Pueblo of Los Angeles' residents against Gillespie and the U.S. occupiers. Antonio Coronel'...

3 months ago

24 minutes

California Frontier

071: Tales of Mexican California Part 2: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs

Tales of Mexican California: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs - Part 2 To hear Part 1, go to Episode 065. In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian Bacich continues exploring the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel. Coronel's account provides a riveting look into his experiences as a Superior Court Judge in Mexican California during the 1840s, a time marked by political instability and frequent criminal conduct by soldiers. The memoir sheds light on key historical moments, inclu...

3 months ago

34 minutes

California Frontier

070: The Journey of the Stones | Fr. Paul Mark Schwan (Part 2)

In the second half of my interview with Father Paul Mark Swan, Abbot of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, we find out about the journey of a medieval Spanish monastery, brought to San Francisco by William Randolph Hearst, and later reassembled in Vina, California. Fr. Paul describes the meticulous process of restoring the Romanesque-Gothic church, as well as the architectural experts and stonemasons who made it possible. We also hear about the monastery's successful venture into the California wine...

4 months ago

34 minutes

California Frontier

069: Medieval Heritage in the Heart of California | Abbot Paul Mark Schwan (Part 1)

Part 1 of this interview explores the rich history of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Roman Catholic monastery in Vina, California. The abbey is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, a monastic lifestyle that began over 1,500 years ago. Abbot Fr. Paul Mark Schwan shares how through the monastery, medieval European monasticism intersected with U.S. westward expansion, touching upon historical figures like William Randolph Hearst and Leland Stanford, and the early years of the California wine indu...

4 months ago

35 minutes

California Frontier

068: How the Civil War Transformed California | Author James Tejani

In Part 2 of my conversation with author James Tejani, we delve into the Civil War's role in shaping California's economic and political landscape. The discussion highlights the transformation of California from the Gold Rush period to an industrial powerhouse in the late 19th century, emphasizing the importance of the transcontinental railroad. James explores the divisive debates in Congress about where the railroad would be placed, spotlighting California's critical position. We also cover ...

5 months ago

38 minutes

California Frontier

067: Remaking Southern California with author James Tejani

In Part 1, we sit down with author James Tejani to discuss his book, A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America. The conversation delves into the historical context of the Gold Rush, demographic shifts in California, and the significant roles played by individuals like Edward Ord and Manuel Dominguez. We also explore the impact of federal scientific initiatives, the Coast Survey, and political patronage systems on the development of the port. Tejani ...

5 months ago

34 minutes

California Frontier

066: Thank You!

A quick message of thanks at the end of 2024 from the California Frontier Project. 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

5 months ago

3 minutes

California Frontier

065: Tales of Mexican California Pt. 1

In the first episode of this series, we explore the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel, a significant figure in Southern California's Mexican past. Coronel takes us through his reminiscences of the struggles the controversial Híjar-Padrés Colony faced in early California. He describes the hardships encountered by the colonists, the betrayal by Don Mariano Vallejo's troops, and the political tensions between Mexican leaders over California's future. Coronel's narrative als...

6 months ago

27 minutes

California Frontier

064: A Franciscan in Troubled Times Part 3

In this episode, we conclude the story of Fr. José María del Real. We cover the U.S. annexation and occupation of California and the tensions between new American settlers and the local population. We delve into Father Real's efforts to accommodate new immigrants, his rumored illegal sales of mission property, and his eventual departure from the mission. We also highlight Fr. Real's involvement in discovering a mercury mine and his life after leaving Alta California. 00:00 Overiew of Prior E...

6 months ago

41 minutes

California Frontier

063: A Franciscan in Troubled Times Part 2

In this episode, we delve further into the life and challenges faced by Fr. José María Suárez del Real, the last Franciscan missionary at Mission Santa Clara. The episode recounts Father Real's advocacy for the native people, his disputes with local elites, and the hardships he endured, including the occupation by militia troops. The narrative also touches upon the broader political struggles in Alta California, including the rise of local Californio leaders and the influence of America...

6 months ago

25 minutes

California Frontier

062: A Franciscan in Troubled Times Part 1

In this episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Father José María Suárez del Real, a Mexican Franciscan missionary in 1840s California. Through anecdotes and historical context, we explore his role during the mission secularization period, his challenges in Alta California, and his impact on the local communities and California history. The episode sheds light on a tumultuous era of California's past, often overlooked in simplified historical narratives. Tune in to better understand thi...

6 months ago

20 minutes

California Frontier

061: The Attack on Mission San Diego: Interview with Richard Carrico (Part 2)

In Part 2 of our conversation, we delve into the 1775 sacking of Mission San Diego de Alcalá, a pivotal event in California's history. Richard's detailed research challenges mainstream historical accounts and highlights the specific involvement of the Tipai subgroup of the Kumeyaay people in the attack. Richard discusses the complex motives behind the sacking, including religious conflicts, cultural grievances, and retribution for abuses by Spanish soldiers. We also explore the ...

7 months ago

52 minutes

California Frontier

060: Reservation Archaeology with Richard Carrico (Part 1)

In Part 1 of this interview, I speak with archeologist Richard Carrico, a prominent expert on the Native peoples of California, especially those in the San Diego area. Carrico shares his intriguing journey into archaeology, beginning with his service in the U.S. Army and a twist of fate that led him to discover his passion for archaeological studies. Richard details his educational path and various pivotal excavations, including working on the Presidio of San Diego and the Bancroft Ranch Ho...

7 months ago

32 minutes

California Frontier

059: Strangers in a New Land: Two Foreigners Who Shaped Early California

This solo episode explores how two ambitious foreigners, one a Scotsman and the other an American, navigated life in Mexican California during the 1830s and 1840s. Though both shared a common language and elite backgrounds, their approaches to Californio society couldn’t have been more different. One embraced the culture, marrying into a prominent local family and becoming a trusted insider; the other kept his distance, building wealth and connections among fellow Americans while remai...

7 months ago

28 minutes