California Frontier
Damian Bacich, Ph.D.
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About This Podcast
Prof. Damian Bacich shares the history you didn't learn in school. Each episode is a deep dive into the fascinating early history of California and the West. Listen to stories and interviews with scholars, experts, and people who are passionate about a time when California was the frontier of empire and imagination.
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Recent Episodes
S5E6 092: Black Pioneers of Spanish California with Dr. Cameron Jones Part 2
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…
S5E5 091: Black Pioneers of Spanish California with Dr. Cameron Jones Part 1
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…
S5E4 090: The Mission Walker Part 2 with author Edie Littlefield Sundby
In the second half of this interview with Edie Littlefield Sundby (The Mission Walker), she explains why she extended the California Mission Trail beyond San Diego and retraced the original mission…
089: The Mission Walker with author Edie Littlefield Sundby Part 1
Today's guest is Edie Littlefield Sundby, author of the memoir The Mission Walker, about becoming the first person to walk the full Camino Real of both Californias while living with stage four…
S5E3 088: The Portolá Expedition and the Discovery of the San Francisco Bay
In 1769, Spain feared it was about to lose the Pacific coast. Russian traders were moving south from Alaska, British naval power was rising, and Spain had no permanent settlements north of Baja…
S5E2 087: Exploring Baja California with Author David Kier Part 2
In part two of this interview, Damian Bacich continues his conversation with David Kier, who shares stories from his travels to the Baja California missions and explains some of the legends people…
S5E1 086: The Missions of Baja California with Author David Kier Part 1
In this episode, host Damian Bacich talks with David Kier about his lifelong interest in Baja California and its missions. Kier explains how family trips he took as a child sparked a passion that…
S4 085: A Gold Rush Family Saga with author Craig S. Harwood
Today, I'm honored to speak with Craig S. Harwood, author of Bridget's Gambit, a captivating saga of family enterprise during the California Gold Rush. This really interesting book, coming out soon,…
S4 084: San Diego's Lost City with Author Richard Carrico Part 2
In Part 2 of my interview with archaeologist Richard Carrico, our conversation delves into the significant archaeological findings at the Presidio, revealing insights into its history, architecture,…
S4 083: San Diego's Lost City with Author Richard Carrico Part 1
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…
S4E16 082: California's Forgotten Soldiers: The Californio Lancers Part 2
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…
S4E15 081: California's Forgotten Soldiers: The Californio Lancers Part 1
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…
S4E14 080: Soldiers' Wives on the California Frontier Part 2 | April Farnham, Ethnohistorian
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…
S4E13 079: Soldiers' Wives in Early California Part 1 | April Farnham, Ethnohistorian
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…
S4E12 078: True Visual History of California Part 3 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian
Exploring Historical Illustrations and California's Cultural Heritage with David W. RickmanWatch to the full YouTube videoIn the final installment of this interview series, historian and illustrator…
S4E11 077: True Visual History of California Part 2 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian
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…
S4E10 076: True Visual History of California Part 1 | David W. Rickman, Illustrator and Historian
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…
S4E9 075: Life in the Gold Fields | Tales of Mexican California Part 4
Antonio Coronel’s Gold Rush Tales in Mexican CaliforniaIn the final installment of 'The Tales of Mexican California,' we follow Antonio Coronel's vivid recount of his time in the Northern California…
S4E8 074: Pirates in California? | Michael Hardwick Part 2
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…
S4E7 073: Presidios and Soldados in California Part 1 | Author Michael Hardwick
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…
Frequently Asked Questions
California Frontier has published 93 episodes since March 2017, covering topics in Education, History.
California Frontier is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 31m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for California Frontier, including email and social media links.
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