Join host Damian Bacich and guest Eric Plunkett as they dive into the fascinating early maritime history of California.

Plunkett reveals surprising details about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's 1542 expedition, including his connection to Cortez and the fall of Tenochtitlan. Learn how Cabrillo documented Chumash village names that remained unchanged for centuries and how Native American trade networks helped Spanish explorers communicate across vast distances.

Discover lesser-known stories of the Manila Galleons, shipwrecks, and a possible "California Cabeza de Vaca" - a Spanish pilot who may have walked from Northern California back to Mexico City in the 1580s.

This episode challenges common assumptions about early California history and reveals the complex web of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange that shaped the region long before the mission era.

Eric Plunkett is a historian based in San Juan Capistrano specializing in early California exploration and indigenous history.

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In Part 2 of my interview with Helena Hazleton, Museum Director at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, we discuss its later history and some features that make it stand out among missions.

Main topics of Part 2:

• The mission's unique architecture, including its distinctive dome and lavandería
• Rare Spanish colonial artworks, some with surprising origins
• Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, son of Sacagawea, and his role at the mission
• How Mexican and Irish Franciscans worked to restore the mission
• Connections to Aztec and Maya art and the mission's adaptation to frontier life
• The historic mission cemetery

After listening to this episode, I'm sure you will want to visit the King of the Missions.

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Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

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In this episode, I interview art historian Helena Hazleton, Director of the Museum at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, California. In this captivating conversation, Helena shares her expertise on one of the largest and most productive California missions.

Main topics of Part 1:
- The unique history and founding of Mission San Luis Rey in 1798
- How the mission survived the devastating 1812 earthquake
- The story of Father Antonio Peyri and his influence on the mission's success
- The remarkable tale of Pablo Tac, a young Luiseño who wrote a grammar of his native language
- The mission's decline during Mexican rule and its abandonment
- Abraham Lincoln's role in returning the mission lands to the Catholic Church

Helena provides fascinating insights into the mission's architecture, its relationship with local indigenous peoples, and its place in California history. This interview offers a wealth of knowledge about one of the state's most important historical sites.

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Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

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We've published 50 episodes and it is time to check in about where the California Frontier Project is going.

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In Part 2 of this interview, author Jeremy Beer discusses his new book Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest. Beer delves into the life and legacy of Franciscan friar Francisco Garcés, a key figure in early Spanish exploration and missionary work in the American Southwest during the late 18th century.

Key topics covered:
• The significance of the "Devil's Road" in Spanish exploration
• Garcés' unique approach to missionary work and his relationships with Native peoples
• The complex web of relationships between Spanish missionaries, Native leaders, and colonial authorities
• The tragic events at Yuma in 1781 that ended Spanish expansion in the region
• Garcés' lasting impact on the settlement of California and ethnological understanding of Native groups

Beer offers a nuanced perspective on this pivotal period in American history, highlighting both the triumphs and challenges of cross-cultural encounters on the frontier. This interview provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the early history of the American Southwest, Spanish colonization, or Native American studies.

Get the book: Beyond the Devil's Road by Jeremy Beer - Available now!

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This is Part 1 of an interview with author Jeremy Beer about his new book Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of Fray Francisco Garcés, a Franciscan Friar and lesser-known but remarkable explorer, and his extensive travels across one of North America's harshest environments. The interview sheds light on Garcés' unique contributions through a detailed narrative of his life and the historical context of Spanish missions in the U.S. Southwest. Learn about the research, the hardships, and the incredible journeys that marked this intriguing chapter of early American history.

00:00 Introduction to the Interview
01:39 Meet Jeremy Beer: Author of Beyond the Devil's Road
05:12 The Life and Adventures of Father Francisco Garcés
08:27 Exploring the Vast Territories of the American Southwest
13:38 Challenges and Unique Contributions of Father Garcés
17:12 The Rigorous Training of Spanish Missionaries
22:27 The Spanish Frontier and Garcés' Role
27:27 Connecting the Spanish Missions: Garcés' Expeditions
32:29 Conclusion and Support for the Show

Purchase Beyond the Devil's Road

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This is the third and final installment exploring the recollections of Carlos N. Híjar, who came to Alta California from Mexico in 1834 at age eight. Key points include:

1. Detailed description of wine and brandy production methods at the missions.
2. Explanation of flour-making techniques using millstones.
3. In-depth discussion of marriage customs among Californios, including:
   • Selection of godparents before birth
   • Baptism celebrations
   • Arranged marriages between families
   • The betrothal process and living arrangements
   • Wedding ceremonies and multi-day celebrations

We finish with brief insights into the general character and lifestyle of Californios.

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In this episode, we continue exploring the memoirs of Carlos N. Híjar, who came to Alta California as a young boy in 1834. The episode focuses on daily life in Alta California during the Spanish and Mexican eras, particularly in Santa Barbara. Key points include:

1. Description of popular dances and songs, including details on how they were performed and celebrated.

2. Insights into Catholic feast days and their importance in social life.

3. Discussion of cattle roundups and rodeos at missions, including the process of slaughtering cattle for food.

4. Explanation of washing customs among Californio women, including their use of native plants as soap substitutes.

5. Information on the hide and tallow trade, which was crucial to the economy of Alta California.

6. Details on the relationship between missions and individual rancho owners, including their business practices and treatment of Indian workers.

Carlos' recollections provide a granular view of daily life in Alta California, helping us understand the mindset, customs, and economic activities of the Californios during this period.

Make sure to listen to Part 1 of this series.

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