In this conversation, I interview archaeologist Richard Carrico, an expert on the Presidio of San Diego, discussing its historical significance, the need for accessible literature on the subject, and the cultural heritage of the Kumeyaay people. Carrico shares insights from his new book, El Presidio de San Diego: Excavating Southern California's Lost City. In it, Richard emphasizes the importance of the Presidio in California's history and the challenges it faces in terms of preservatio...

In this episode, we delve into the second half of an interview with Tom Prezelski, author of Californio Lancers: The First Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West. The discussion covers the period post-Civil War, focusing on the unit's deployment to Arizona and the numerous challenges they faced, including malaria, desertion, and campaigns against the Apaches and French imperialists in Northern Mexico. We explore figures like Salvador Vallejo, Captain Pico, and Colonel Ronstad...

In this episode, I talk with author Tom Prezelski about his book The Californio Lancers: The 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West, 1863–1866. Together, we explore the fascinating and often overlooked history of the First Battalion of Native Cavalry in California during the Civil War. Learn how these Californios (Mexican Californians) came together to form a unique unit that played a crucial role in both Union efforts and frontier defense from 1863 to 1866. Tom sha...

Join us as we conclude our interview with ethnohistorian April Farnham, delving into the lives and contributions of mixed Spanish and indigenous families in Northern California during the late 18th and 19th centuries. From the Anza Expedition to the intricate social fabrics of families like the Juarez and Carillo, we explore matrimonial investigations, multicultural interactions, and the significant roles of women in preserving and merging diverse cultures. Discover how these ear...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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'...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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...

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...