In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian interviews Trudi Angell, producer of the documentary film La Rcua (The Mule Pack Train).La Rcua follows the story of Daro Higuera, a 70-year-old Baja California ranchero, who dreams of recreati

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 tr

Eric Plunkett is an amazing historian whose enthusiasm for discovering the riches of Californias 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

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 prima

The interview uncovers complexities in Pacific trade routes, challenging conventional narratives about the Spanish Empires trade. It focuses on San Blas, a naval base in New Spain, which caused discontent among Mexico City merchants. Dr. Duggan explains

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,

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 Barbaras presidio.The post 300,000 Bricks, pt. 2 first appeared on Early

Damian and his guest Dr. Jarrell Jackman discuss Dr. Jackmans new book on Santa Barbaras 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 m

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

The novel Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson sparked an interest in Californias Mission Era that attracted visitors from all over the country. But Jacksons novel was much more than nostalgia for a bygone era it was a cry for human rights. The story of the a