California Frontier - A History Podcast

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 House. Carrico emphasizes the importance of understanding Native cultures, highlighting his ethnographic studies and collaboration with the Kumeyaay people of Southern California.
This episode is a rich exploration of historical archaeology and the stories that shape our understanding of Native Californian history.
Richard's book: Strangers in a Stolen Land: Indians of San Diego County from Prehistory to the New Deal
00:29 Introduction to Richard Carrico
01:18 Richard's Journey into Archaeology
02:35 Early Career and Mentorship
05:01 Professional Growth and Historic Archaeology
07:25 Transition to Commercial Archaeology
09:45 Balancing Academic and Commercial Work
17:59 Focus on Kumeyaay People and Ethnography
26:02 Challenges and Diplomatic Skills

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This episode is dedicated the remarkable life of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, a central figure in the pivotal era of California's origins.

Born into a military family in 1808 Monterey, Vallejo's thirst for knowledge and quick wit allowed him to receive a prestigious education from the governor himself. Vallejo rapidly ascended the military ranks, becoming the powerful commander who established a pueblo and presidio in Sonoma - the northernmost reaches of the territory. Vallejo's exploits included an unlikely friendship with a Native American chieftain that shaped the history of Mexican California.

When the Bear Flag Revolt sought to overthrow Mexican rule, the charismatic Vallejo charmed the insurgents over a meal before being imprisoned.

In the new State of California, Vallejo fought tirelessly to preserve the voices and stories of his fellow Californios. He collaborated extensively with esteemed historian H.H. Bancroft, opening doors to gather oral histories. Vallejo's own remarkable memoirs shed light on this captivating era.

Listen now to dive into the extraordinary life of this trailblazer who left an indelible mark on California history.
To learn more:

• Recuerdos: Historical and Personal Remembrances Relating to Alta California, 1769–1849
• Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo: Life in Spanish, Mexican, and American California
• General Vallejo and the Advent of the Americans

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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 nuanced aftermath of the event, the Spanish military's response, and the broader implications for Spanish-Kumeyaay relations.
This episode offers a deep dive into the anthropology and ethnohistory of the Kumeyaay, providing a richer understanding of their complex relationship with the Spanish, Mexican and U.S. governments.
00:00 Introduction to the 1775 Sacking of Mission San Diego
00:57 Excavation and Historical Research
02:32 Anthropological Insights and Clan Dynamics
04:46 Motives Behind the Attack
05:34 Aftermath and Spanish Military Response
11:56 Cultural and Religious Implications
31:27 Long-term Effects and Legacy
44:43 Modern Reflections and Career Advice

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Introducing the California Frontier Podcast, dedicated to the people and stories of the California mission and rancho eras.
For some months now I have been promising to launch a California Frontier Podcast. Well, as they say in Spanish, Lo prometido es deuda (“A promise is a debt”). I owe you a debt, and it is one I am happy to pay.

What is a podcast? A podcast is basically like a radio show, except that, instead of listening to it over the air at the time it is broadcast, you listen to a podcast over the Internet, at the time and place of your choosing. “Podcast” is a play on the word “broadcast”: the first podcasts were probably meant to be heard on an iPod, hence the “pod” in “podcast” (by the way, does anyone still have an iPod?). So you don’t have to worry about missing a show, as you would on the radio.

The convenience factor means that more and more people are listening to podcasts. You can listen to a podcast while driving, mowing the lawn, washing the dishes or running on a treadmill. And there are literally thousands of them, covering every topic imaginable: news, sports, politics, music, history, ham radio... you name it. According to the Pew Research Center, 21% of Americans over 12 have listened to a podcast in the last month, a number that has tripled in the last several years.

But other than the popularity of the format, why launch a podcast? My passion for the subject of the Spanish and Mexican eras in California has led me to meet some extraordinary and fascinating people, from archaeologists to artists, from to reenactors to historians, from artisans to descendants of Native and Spanish people. Each of these persons has a story to tell, and I want to share their voices with you, to let them tell their story. And storytelling has been an oral medium since as far back as humanity can remember. So what better than to use technology to let us hear the actual voices of the people telling the stories?

The story of the California frontier is first and foremost the story of people’s lives. And hearing people’s stories is the best way to counter what archaeologist David Hurst Thomas calls “the grand narrative.” The grand narrative is one that focuses on the clash of civilizations: good guys vs. bad guys — however you define the good guys and the bad guys. But real people are complex, and can’t always be divided into good and bad — that’s what makes them interesting, and what makes history fascinating. So I am confident that this podcast will help to expose and explode some myths and clichés about the culture and history of Alta California.

I release episodes approximately once a month, or more frequently if I have a special topic to share. The best way to find out about new episodes is to suscribe to this website or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or another podcast provider. You can listen to episodes of the California Frontier Podcast from your computer or phone, just by going to this website and looking under the category “Podcasts” or by visiting iTunes or any of the other podcast feed suppliers. If you li

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This is a special episode from the California Frontier Show archives.
A growing number of people of all ages are taking up the challenge of walking the entire California mission trail. For many, it is an adventure, a spiritual pilgrimage, a scenic tour, a way to get to know themselves, or all of the above.
So today, I'm going into the archives and presenting the first podcast episode I ever did for California Frontier. It's an interview with author Maggie Espinosa, who walked the whole trail herself and wrote a very engaging book about it called On a Mission.

Maggie Espinosa is a journalist, travel writer, and blogger who decided to set off on a quest to visit all 21 of California missions. She overcame challenges, made friends, and learned about herself along the way. The story of her journey is detailed in the book On a Mission: An 800-mile Walk to Discover California’s El Camino Real. On a Mission is a wonderful, personal account of her life on the mission trail. When I read it, I knew I had to interview Maggie somehow and hear her story.
Maggie’s website: https://travelwithmaggie.com/
Maggie’s book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qAUwSI
The California Mission Walkers Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/californiamissionwalkers

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[email protected]