California Frontier

In part two of this interview, Eric Plunkett describes how Mission San Juan Capistrano’s history unfolds through upheaval and endurance: early conflict and a thwarted revolt, the Acjachemen community’s work and resilience, the rise and collapse of the Great Stone Church, the raids of the pirate Hippolyte Bouchard, secularization and the political changes that reshaped the mission and its lands.00:44 — The mission’s troubled beginnings01:48 — Conflict, deaths, and a planned revolt03:18 — The 1778 revolt and its causes06:12 — Acjachemen resilience07:33 — The Great Stone Church project begins13:36 — New ships, disease, and rising deaths15:17 — A Boston woman is stranded at Capistrano16:36 — Revolution disrupts supplies17:00 — The 1812 earthquake and church collapse18:13 — The Acjachemen lives lost in the disaster19:04 — Bouchard’s 1818 raid26:25 — Secularization transforms the mission33:50 — Lincoln returns the mission to the Catholic Church40:22 — The Serra Church and Father Boscana’s account43:21 — The Wiyot story and its reflections on power45:09 — The mission’s long arc, from its beginnings to tourismSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

Historian Eric Plunkett joins Damian Bacich to explore the early history of Mission San Juan Capistrano, focusing on the Acjachemen people and the Indigenous landscape that existed long before the mission. They discuss how local villages were shaped by water, food resources, trade, and community ties; what the Portolá Expedition recorded during its 1769 passage through the region; and how the mission’s founding plans unfolded.The conversation follows the mission’s early beginnings, including its first location, the move to its current site, and the relationships and negotiations between missionaries like Junípero Serra and local Indigenous communities.00:00 - Eric Plunkett’s work on Mission San Juan Capistrano02:11 - Why the mission’s 250th anniversary matters05:04 - The Acjachemen homeland before the mission09:29 - Landscape, canyons, and water sources10:49 - Food gathering, trade, and village networks15:57 - The Portolá Expedition enters Acjachemen territory19:52 - Spanish contact after the expedition24:29 - Serra, Rivera y Moncada, and choosing a mission site29:25 - The first site and the move to the current location40:02 - Water, relocation, and the mission’s early communityLearn more:St. Junípero Serra and the Founders of Mission San Juan Capistrano and Orange County by Eric Plunkett.The Portolá Expedition in Orange County by Eric Plunkett. The Saga of Orange County's "Pirates" by Eric Plunkett. Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest by Jeremy BeerSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

The real story of California bandido Joaquin Murrieta is darker—and far more complicated—than the legend. Historian and New York Times bestselling author John Boessenecker joins Damian Bacich to separate fact from folklore and reveal how a Sonora-born miner became California’s most infamous outlaw.They explore the Gold Rush’s violence, anti-Mexican sentiment, Murrieta’s gang, the California Rangers, the Cantua Creek manhunt, and the truth behind the alleged display of Murrieta’s head. Boessenecker also explains how newspaper accounts, vigilante claims, and popular stories transformed a fierce historical figure into a Robin Hood-style hero.00:00 Introducing John Boessenecker and Joaquín Murrieta02:05 John’s path into Western history06:47 Researching the real Joaquín Murrieta07:56 Fact, folklore, and the Murrieta legend13:24 Gold Rush California and Murrieta’s arrival20:55 The formation of the bandit gang32:15 The murder of General Bean39:22 From personal loss to outlaw infamy43:45 The California Rangers’ manhunt48:48 The Rangers, surviving gang members, and Murrieta’s legacySend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

This is the second interview in a series marking the 250th anniversary of the Presidio of San Francisco. Damian Bacich sits down with historian Dr. John Langelier, author of Bastion by the Bay: The Presidio of San Francisco, from Outpost of Empire to Magnificent Park, for a sweeping conversation covering the Presidio's founding by Spain, its Mexican and U.S. Army eras, the Buffalo Soldiers who became America's first Black national park rangers, two World Wars, the Cold War, and its transformation into one of the most-visited urban national parks in the country.Dr. Langelier shares personal stories from his years as founding director of the Presidio's museum, the researchers and colleagues who shaped his career, and the forgotten individuals — soldiers, chaplains, and civilians — whose stories fill the book's pages alongside its extensive photograph collection.Buy Bastion by the Bay: The Presidio of San Francisco, from Outpost of Empire to Magnificent ParkSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

The story of the Presidio didn't end with Spain or Mexico—it was only beginning.In the second half of my conversation with Rob Thomson, Federal Preservation Officer, and Kari Jones, archaeologist with the Presidio Trust, we explore the remarkable transformation of the Presidio of San Francisco from a remote Mexican frontier outpost into one of the most important military installations on the West Coast—and ultimately into one of America's most innovative national parks.We discuss how the U.S. Army reshaped the Presidio after 1846, introducing new architecture, forests, hospitals, airfields, and coastal defenses that reflected changing military priorities from the Civil War through the Cold War. We also examine Fort Point, Castillo de San Joaquín, the evolution of military technology, and the Presidio's role in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to World War II.The conversation concludes with the extraordinary story of how the Presidio escaped the fate of many former military bases. Rather than falling into disrepair, it became a model for historic preservation through the creation of the Presidio Trust, whose innovative self-supporting approach has preserved hundreds of historic buildings while creating one of the nation's most vibrant urban parks.Whether you're interested in California history, military history, architecture, archaeology, or the preservation of historic places, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most important historic landscapes in the United States.If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help more people discover the rich and often overlooked history of California.Learn about the Presidio Trust00:00 – The Presidio's Transition to American Control02:55 – What the Presidio Looked Like in 184805:35 – Spanish Revival Architecture and the World's Fair07:15 – Castillo de San Joaquín and the Defense of San Francisco Bay11:55 – Fort Point and America's New Coastal Fortress13:30 – The Presidio's Growth as a Major U.S. Army Base17:30 – The Presidio in the Civil War, World Wars, and Cold War21:00 – From Military Base to National Park25:15 – Historic Buildings, Adaptive Reuse, and the Presidio Today28:05 – Famous People, Defining Moments, and Why the Presidio MattersSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

How did a lonely Spanish outpost become one of America's most remarkable historic places?In this episode, I sit down with Rob Thomson, Federal Preservation Officer, and Kari Jones, Chief Archaeologist with the Presidio Trust, to explore the fascinating history of the Presidio of San Francisco—from its founding by Spain in 1776 to its role as the northernmost military outpost in Alta California.Our conversation examines why the Spanish chose this strategic location, what daily life was like for soldiers and settlers on California's frontier, and how archaeology is helping us better understand the people who lived and worked there. We also discuss the Yelamu and other Indigenous communities whose homeland became the Presidio, the challenges of building a fort on San Francisco's windswept dunes, the impact of the 1812 earthquakes, relations with Russian Fort Ross, and the transition from Spanish to Mexican California.Along the way, you'll hear remarkable stories about El Polín Spring, the reconstruction of the Presidio, the surviving adobe buildings and how archaeological discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of early California.Whether you're passionate about California history, archaeology, the Spanish colonial period, or San Francisco itself, this conversation offers a deeper appreciation for one of the state's most significant historic sites.00:17 Introduction to the Presidio of San Francisco00:26 Commemorating 250 Years of History01:51 Exploring the Significance of the Presidio05:09 Understanding the Presidio's Historical Significance08:05 Life at the Presidio: Early Years and Challenges10:51 The Impact of Mexican Independence on the Presidio14:00 Archaeological Discoveries and Historical Insights17:04 The Evolution of the Presidio: From Spanish to American Control31:04 New chapterSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

In Part 2 of this conversation,  Damian Bacich talks with wine historian Kevin Ferguson, descendant of the Gemello Winery family, about the dramatic rise of California wine, the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris, and the family stories that connect Silicon Valley, Napa Valley, and Italian immigrant winemakers. They also explore how Prohibition, entrepreneurship, and even Bank of America played unexpected roles in California's wine history. Whether you're interested in California history, wine, or remarkable family stories, this episode offers a fascinating look behind one of the state's greatest success stories.Kevin's Substack: https://gemello.substack.com/Chapters00:00 – A French judge mistakes Napa wine for French00:49 – California wine's low point in the 1960s03:41 – From 350 wineries to nearly 4,80004:11 – The Gemello family's survival and real estate strategy08:11 – California wines before the Judgment of Paris10:04 – How the Judgment of Paris came together14:44 – The shocking tasting results that changed history15:46 – How the victory inspired a new generation of winemakers22:26 – Steven Spurrier's remarkable wine shop story26:06 – Why the Judgment of Paris became California's great underdog story27:52 – Italian immigrants, Bank of America, and California agriculture31:46 – Final reflections and Kevin Ferguson's upcoming bookSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

In the first part of my conversation with author Kevin Ferguson, we explore the rich history of California wine, tracing its roots from Italian immigrants through the challenges of Prohibition to the pivotal Judgment of Paris in 1976.  Kevin delves into his family's legacy, highlighting how early 20th-century winemakers navigated legal loopholes and economic shifts to establish California as a leading wine region. This episode provides insights into the evolution of winemaking practices, the influence of figures like Paul Masson, and the resilience required to thrive in a changing industry. Join us to understand the historical context and enduring impact of these developments on the global wine landscape.00:00 - Introduction.00:31 - California's wine history.01:32 - Judgment of Paris explained.02:18 - Kevin's family background.03:40 - Early winemaking challenges.05:52 - Paul Masson's influence.10:09 - Settling in California.15:12 - Impact of Prohibition.18:36 - Loopholes in the law.28:34 - Repeal and resurgence of wineries.Kevin's Substack: https://gemello.substack.com/Send a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

In part 2 of our interview, we explore the transformative period of US occupation and the subsequent transition to statehood, focusing on the California Constitution drafted in 1849 and ratified in 1850. Dr. Jones provides a deep dive into the cultural and social dynamics of the time, highlighting the contributions and challenges faced by these pioneering communities.We discuss the development of africancalifornios.org, a dedicated platform aimed at preserving and sharing this rich heritage. The conversation also uncovers the intriguing story behind California's name, believed to be inspired by an African queen, Califia, from a historical novel. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the diverse influences that have shaped California's history.To learn more: https://www.africancalifornios.org/home00:10 Introduction to the Interview 01:12 US Occupation and Statehood 02:47 California Constitution 05:30 Cultural and Social Dynamics 10:30 Project Development: africancalifornios.org 33:52 California's Name Origin Send a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]

Historian Cameron Jones joins Damian Bacich for a fascinating conversation about the overlooked African presence in early California. Drawing on mission records, census data, and genealogical research, Jones explores how people of African descent—many arriving from Mexico as soldiers, settlers, and ranchers—helped shape California during the Spanish and Mexican periods.The discussion traces the stories of prominent Californio families such as the Picos, the multicultural origins of Los Angeles, and the complex racial realities of life in frontier California. Jones also explains his groundbreaking digital humanities project, AfricanCalifornios.org, which uses historical records and data science to reconstruct the lives and networks of African-descended Californios.Far from reducing California history to simple categories, this interview reveals a past that was deeply diverse, interconnected, and often misunderstood. It’s an essential conversation for anyone interested in California history, the Spanish Borderlands, genealogy, race and identity, or the hidden stories behind the American West.Topics discussed include:* African-descended Californios and the Spanish missions* The founding families of Los Angeles* Pío Pico and the Pico dynasty* Race, class, and identity in Spanish and Mexican California* The transition from Mexican to U.S. ru* California genealogy and historical memory* The AfricanCalifornios.org projectTo learn more: https://www.africancalifornios.org/home0:00 Intro0:23 Show Introduction0:48 About Dr. Cameron Jones & African Californios3:26 How Cameron Got Into This Research7:44 The 1813 Questionnaire: Discovery of African Descent in California10:20 Notable Californio Families of African Descent14:26 The Founders of Los AngelesSend a Comment.Support the showGive a one-time donationLearn more about the California Frontier Project:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramFacebookContact:[email protected]